Manchester Community Gathers for Homecoming Celebration
Tiffany Williams
Homecoming is a place where the Manchester University family can reunite and remember, no matter what year you graduated.
From Friday through Saturday, Sept. 28–29, Homecoming events will be held on campus, including both alumni and students to make a connection between the two groups. One such event is ultimate Frisbee being held from 10-12 p.m. just south of the track.
The importance of bringing these two groups together is highlighted by Kylee Rosembaum, director of alumni Relations, “I think alumni like to engage with current students,” she said. “We all share the same passions.”
Another event being held is the tailgate party inside the track. It goes from 10-1:30 p.m. and includes a cornhole tournament—run by students. While the winner of the cornhole games is being determined, one may also enjoy a performance from “Friends with the Weather.” The Hospitality tent that will be located between the stage and food tents will have adult beverages for everyone over the age of 21.
The food tents include the Spartan Smokehouse, South of the Kenapocomoco, All American Chet and Manny’s Confections, which will offer everything from pulled pork and walking tacos to snow-cones and cotton candy. There will be veggie burgers and other foods provided at these venues for those with specific dietary needs. Professors will be around these areas available to discuss their academic areas to those wanting to learn more about the classroom or reminisce about the good old days.
There have been many changes in the architecture on Manchester’s campus. A ribbon-cutting event is being held for the Jean Childs Young Intercultural Center at 11 a.m. with special guest Ambassador Andrew Young helping to dedicate the Center named in memory of his wife and graduate Jean Childs ’54 Young.
Later in the day, Ambassador Young and President Dave McFadden will introduce the one-act play, “The Meeting” at 7:30 p.m. in Cordier Auditorium. The play depicts a fictional meeting between Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X discussing their beliefs on the way to best work toward racial equality. This is a VIA for current students but is open to alumni as well.
To conclude the day’s events is the annual Homecoming bonfire starting around 8:10 p.m. at the softball field. To those who attend the one-act play, the bonfire doesn’t end until 10 p.m., leaving plenty of time for hotdogs, s’mores and music with friends.
The majority of the day, there is a kids’ zone saved just for younger children to have fun. This includes face painting, a petting zoo, and a small cheer clinic that they can perform at the game. Before the game, there is a place where students and kids will be able to run out on the field with the home football team.
More events will be going on throughout the weekend, these are just some of the events put in place to bring past and present students together. “As an alumni myself being back on campus, there is something really special about Manchester,” Rosembaum said with a smile. Manchester is and was the home for many people who have a strong connection with the community. That is what Homecoming is about: community.