by Rebecca Sneed
The 2016 Homecoming, held September 30 – October 2, was another great success this year. Lauren Youse, director of alumni services and development said, “I’m so pleased with the alumni turnout at Homecoming this year. Alumni of all ages came to campus to play in alumni games, attend banquets and luncheons, and reunite with their classmates.”
The 50 Year Club luncheon on Friday saw more than 40 graduates from 1966 and earlier. Twenty-three graduates from the 1966 class were given a medallion and inducted into the club. After the luncheon, the alumni toured the campus, visiting their old dorms and exploring new buildings.
Later that night, everyone dressed in their best for the Homecoming Banquet in the Mabee Sports Complex. The ceiling was tented in red and Fresh Ideas employees dressed in renaissance garb to serve the themed meal. Following dinner, guests enjoyed a gourmet ice cream sundae bar.
Everyone then made their way to the Parker Theatre for the evening’s entertainment. Alumni awards were presented, seniors Megan Massey and Silas Acuff were crowned homecoming queen and king, and emcees Christy Jung, HLGU Instructor of Speech and Communications, and Scott Apple, a liberal studies student, hosted various games on stage with audience volunteers all before Comedian David Graham took the stage to deliver many laughs to the audience.
Megan Massey is a sociology major from Staunton, IL, and Silas Acuff is an exercise and sports science major from Columbia, MO. Other candidates on the homecoming court were seniors Sarah Cline of St. Louis, MO; Brooke Kicklighter of Springfield, IL; Ashley Collier of Sedalia, MO; Javier Gomez Lopez of Madrid, Spain, Ignacio Garrido of Madrid, Spain, and Charles Tyler of Chicago, IL.
This year’s Outstanding Service alumni award was presented to Mervin Sharkey ’63, the Outstanding Young Alumnus award was presented to Gilberto Romero Contreras ’08, and the Distinguished Alumnus award was presented to Judge Holly J. Henze ’81, ’98. To read more about the award winners, click here.
Other homecoming events included the Alumni Golf Classic, the Trojan Trek, alumni athletic events, men’s and women’s soccer games, and entertainment by 321 Improv.
The Lady Trojans came away 6-0 against the Central Baptist Mustangs. The men’s soccer team was also victorious with a 4-0 win against the Mustangs, making the Trojans undefeated in conference play.
The women’s volleyball team also played a game on Saturday as part of their fundraising efforts for the Wounded Warrior Project. Members of the American Legion Post 55 were in attendance to present the American flag during the singing of the national anthem. The Lady Trojans swept the Central Baptist Mustangs 3-0.
Homecoming events wrapped up on Sunday morning with a worship service on campus led by HLGU’s Praise Song and a message given by Dr. Anthony Allen, HLGU President. Special music was performed by HLGU’s Chamber Choir.
Next year, Homecoming is scheduled for Friday, October 6, through Sunday October 8.