Homecoming weekend at Central College Sept. 30-Oct. 2

Central College

PELLA — Central College will welcome alumni, family and friends to campus as it hosts the 2011 Homecoming/Family Weekend Sept. 30 to Oct. 2. From Friday to Sunday, guests are invited to participate in campus activities, watch athletic events and reconnect with former classmates.

“We are looking forward to having many alumni and families on campus for Homecoming/Family Weekend 2011,” said Ann Van Hemert, director of alumni relations. “It will be a great weekend for all Central College generations.”

Events will kick off Friday morning. Many faculty members will open their classes for the day, and guests are welcome to attend. At 6 p.m., the Lemming Race, a Central College tradition since 1977, will feature costume-clad students racing from Geisler Library to the island in the pond.

Friday evening, from 6 to 8:30 p.m., dinner will be served at the alumni and family barbecue, pep rally, coronation and street party held on the lawn of Graham Hall. This combined event is designed to allow alumni, family and friends to share in the Central community. The event is open to all ages.

“It’s all going to be fairly causal,” said Van Hemert. “Our aim is for people to relax and interact with one another.”

On Saturday, all guests are invited to lifelong learning classes at 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. A new feature of the 2011 Homecoming/Family Weekend, classes will be held at various locations and taught by Central College faculty and staff on a variety of topics. Exact locations and topics will be available at the welcome center on campus.

The highlight of the weekend will be the Homecoming football game. At 1 p.m. on Saturday, the Dutch will take on conference opponent Coe College at the Ron and Joyce Schipper Stadium. The teams have faced each other 21 times, with the Dutch holding a 12-7-2 series advantage. Before kickoff, Central Dining Services will host a tailgate luncheon on the corner of Independence St. and West 3rd St.

At 5:45 p.m. alumni relations will host an Alumni Party on the Plaza. Held at the college’s new entrance plaza off University St., the party will allow alumni of all ages to reconnect with friends and celebrate Central.

The festivities will move inside the nearby Graham Conference Center for the presentation of alumni awards and the 50-year class gift.

“The party will be a great opportunity for all generations to meet and experience the newest campus feature,” said Van Hemert.

On Sunday, guests are encouraged to remain on campus for various music performances, like the Flying Pans Alumni Steel Band Concert. Alumni members of the band are invited to participate alongside current Central students. Rehearsals will be held throughout the weekend.

The final event takes place at 4 p.m. in Douwstra Auditorium. The Symphonic Wind Ensemble and the A Cappella Choir will both perform.

For alumni, family and friends planning to participate in the weekend, a welcome center will be available Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon on the second floor of Maytag Student Center. Check in to receive a registration packet, meal and event tickets and a Central gift.

For more information on Homecoming weekend or to volunteer as a class reunion chair, contact Ann Van Hemert at vanhemerta@central.edu or (641) 628-7645.

The full schedule is below. Visit www.central.edu/alumni/homecoming for updates.

Friday, Sept. 30

7 a.m.-5 p.m.

Café at Geisler Library open. Visit Central’s own coffee shop and enjoy a variety of beverages and pastries. The café is located on the ground floor of the Geisler Library.

8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Mills Gallery open. Performance artist Sha Sha Higby will display her costumes, masks and sculptures.

8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Many of Central’s faculty will open up their classrooms for visitors. Various Locations.

8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

Bookstore open. Maytag Student Center.

9 a.m.

Men’s Golf – Ryerson Fall Classic, Bos Landen GC

10 a.m.

Heritage Day Reception. Lower Chapel

11 a.m.

Heritage Day Worship. Chapel.

12 p.m.

Heritage Day Luncheon. This luncheon celebrates members of the Heritage Roll of Honor and Cornerstone Society and recognizes members of the class of 1961 celebrating their golden reunion. By invitation only. Graham Banquet Hall.

4 p.m.

Women’s Soccer vs. Coe. A.N. Kuyper Athletic Complex.

4 p.m.

Central Classic Volleyball vs. St. Catherine (Minn.) P.H. Kuyper Gymnasium.

6 p.m.

Lemming Race, Peace Mall.

6-8:30 p.m.

Alumni & Family Barbecue, Pep Rally, Coronation, street party – Graham Hall Lawn by Broadway Street.

8 p.m.

Central Classic Volleyball vs. Bethel (Minn). P.H. Kuyper Gymnasium.

8:30 p.m.

S’more fire on Peace Mall. Join us on Peace Mall make your own S’mores!

9 p.m.

Comedy in Action with Jeff Civillico. Douwstra

Saturday, Oct. 1

7 a.m.-1 p.m.

Café at Geisler open.

8 a.m.-noon

Mills Gallery open.

8-10 a.m.

Pancake Breakfast, Maytag Patio Enjoy pancakes and sausage cooked and served by members of Central’s Parents’ Council. $

9 a.m.

Men’s Golf – Ryerson Fall Classic, Bos Landen GC

9 a.m.

Women’s Tennis vs. Luther. A.N. Kuyper Athletics Complex.

9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Bookstore open. Maytag Student Center.

9:30-10:20 a.m.

Lifelong learning classes, various locations.

9:30-10:30 a.m.

Central College Abroad information session. Weller 101.

10 -11:30 a.m

Family Carnival, Graham Conference Center Banquet Room.

10:30-11:20 a.m.

Lifelong learning classes. Various locations.

11 a.m.

Tailgate Under the Big Tent Corner of Independence and West 3rd.

11 a.m.

Central Classic Volleyball vs. Loras. P.H. Kuyper Gymnasium.

1 p.m.

Football Game. Central vs. Coe. Schipper Stadium.

2 p.m.

Women’s Tennis vs. Monmouth (Ill). A.N. Kuyper Athletics Complex.

4 p.m.

Men’s Soccer vs. Coe. A.N. Kuyper Athletics Complex.

TBA

Class reunion pictures begin. Location TBA.

5:45 p.m.

Alumni Party on the Plaza. The party will take place on Central’s new entrance plaza, in Graham Conference Center and the conference center annex.

7:30 p.m.

Class reunion gatherings.
Sunday, Oct. 2

9 a.m.

A Cappella Choir alumni are invited to sing with the A Cappella Choir during 9:45 a.m. worship at Second Reformed Church, 612 Broadway. Rehearsal begins 9 a.m. at the church.

11 a.m.

Sunday Brunch. Central Market.

1 p.m.

Fifth annual Flying Pans Alumni Steel Band Concert. All past Pan members are invited and encouraged to participate in the Homecoming/Family Douwstra Auditorium. For more information contact Stan Dahl at dahls@central.edu or(641) 628-7481

4 p.m.

Symphonic Wind Ensemble and A Cappella Choir concert. Please join us for the music department’s first Sunday Concert Series event of the academic year. Douwstra Auditorium.