Written by Stephanie Rodriguez. Media by Aaron Phillips. [divide]
Greenville College is not only an academic institution where students learn from faculty, but it’s a community build through a Christian foundation that creates learning experiences and long-lasting memories. There is a phrase you’ve probably heard, “Home is where the heart is”, as cliché as it sound, GC becomes a second home that is difficult to leave. Homecoming is the perfect opportunity for many young alums pursuing careers to come back and visit with old friends and professors. Greenville College began its homecoming festivities on Wednesday, Oct. 14 with Midnight Madness, a GCSA event for the men’s and women’s basketball teams to present themselves to the student body and get ready for their upcoming season.
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On Thursday, registration for events and check-in for alumni began at 3 p.m. in the Watson & Bonnie Tidball Alumni House & Welcome Center. The Jazz Band held a concert that night at 7 p.m. in the Whitlock Music Center. There were refreshments after the concert in the Alumni House. Students also had the opportunity to partake in Powder Puff football on Scott Field at 7 p.m. Later that evening, 2014 Graduate Brittney Gilleland spoke at the Homecoming Vespers.
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Friday began with a Homecoming Chapel and Alumni Awards Presentation. Afterward, there was an open reception at Hogue Hall Lawn in which students, faculty, and alums could converse while having donuts and coffee. This was also a day for prospective students to come to GC and learn about the school and changes being made through a presentation given in Snyder 104 after chapel. There was a Q & A with President Filby at 1:30 p.m. in Dietzman 101 to discuss the transition GC will go through to become a university in 2017 and why that decision was made. An hour later, Vice President Edwin Estevez held a Q & A to discuss GC’s strategic plan to engage prospective students beginning from their junior year of high school up to their beginning years as alums from GC. The Homecoming Parade began at 4 p.m. and there was a post-parade Pep Rally and Bash on Scott Field.
That afternoon, the John M. Strahl Athletic Complex was filled with athletic games including football, softball, soccer, baseball and volleyball games. While many enjoyed watching a good game, it was also a great opportunity to sit and relax while listening to the GC Choir Concert perform a variety of songs that painted a picture of Ireland. After the concert, there was a dessert reception in Whitlock Music Center’s Claussen Courtyard with President Filby and the First Lady.
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The night ended with an amusing performance by Joyous Chaos which began with a ninja-themed video to introduce all the new members: Austin Simmons, Corinne Weber, Treyvon Martin, and Justin Langley. Joyous Chaos also added a new manager, Becca McLemore, new host, Jacob Gooden and piano player, Skippy. Senior, Morgan Johnson attended this event and said, “Great team dynamics and refreshing new additions.”
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Homecoming events began rather early on Saturday with the Panther 5k Road Race at Hogue Hall Lawn. The race began with children and the college’s mascot, Hoguey, running through a fun run course on Scott Field. Then the adults ran while the cheerleading team encouraged and cheered and the GCPC marching band played a variety of enthusiastic tunes while the Auxiliary team performed several routines.
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There was a presentation of GC’s Summer Research Experience at 10 a.m. in Snyder Hall of Science to see what students accomplished this past summer as they conducted research. Once again, it was another day filled with athletic games by all sports teams at GC. There was a tailgate Lunch at John M. Strahl Athletic Complex before the football game began at 1 p.m. During halftime, the GCPC Marching Band performed a Cruise Ship-themed show with songs, Show Me How You Burlesque, Tijuana Flats and Hernando’s Hideaway. Then the Dance Team performed following an announcement of this year’s nominees for the homecoming court including king and queen which were later revealed at the homecoming dance. The Maves Art Center held an art reunion to show a special exhibition of artwork by an alum.
There was an Alumni Dinner at 5:30 p.m. in the Eleanor M. Armington Center to celebrate alum awardees and afterward there was an informal gathering for reunion classes. At this event, alums meet at different locals depending on the year they graduated. The night ended with a Homecoming Dance for students that lasted from 8 to 11 p.m. on Francis Field. The Homecoming King and Queen were Tyler Kohrs and Rachel Stroud. The homecoming weekend ended with a worship service in Whitlock at 10:15 a.m. for alumni and it was followed by brunch served in the Armington Center. The weekend was filled with various activities everyone could partake in and it was a huge success.
