Royals from all walks of life returned to campus for a celebratory and inspirational Homecoming weekend a few weeks ago. With a schedule chock full of numerous alumni speakers, home sports games, concerts, and other events, this homecoming was one to remember.
Throughout the day on Friday, many alumni sat down with their classmates once again to enjoy reunion luncheons, and a donor appreciation banquet was held in the evening. Kicking off the public festivities Friday night, Madeline Bender ’93 along with current EMU students hosted a concert that garnered resounding applause from the audience. Bender led the performance, singing from a variety of genres accompanied by Dr. David Berry on piano as well as the EMU Jazz Ensemble. The concert also saw some performances by the EMU Chamber Singers, who loosened up the audience with some sketch comedy and song parodies.
“It was a really fun concert to be a part of!” mentioned fourth year Indigo Gott. “Madeline is… a great director, and everyone involved are fun people to be around as well.” Friday was just the beginning of the activities, and Saturday was loaded with events for people to choose from. Starting off the day this year’s Alumni Award winners and EMU Athletics Hall of Honor awardees were honored over a homecoming celebration breakfast bright and early at 8:30 AM.
Throughout the morning, several departments held gatherings across campus, at which some of their notable alumni spoke about their past and present experiences in their fields. Additionally, vice president for DEI Jackie Font-Guzmán facilitated a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Dialogue about belonging together for alumni and families. Another round of reunion and reception luncheons were held on Saturday, before the public afternoon engagements got into full swing.
Not slowing down in the least, the afternoon highlighted some more outstanding alumni and put a spotlight on the EMU athletic department. EMU Ten Talks had a good turnout in the Suiter Science Center, where singer-actress Madeline Bender ‘93, runner Ryan Gehman ‘16 and writer Kevin Ressler ‘07 inspired for ten minutes each while sharing about their passions, troubles, and hopes. Field Hockey, Women’s Soccer, and Men’s Soccer had home games on the turf field that were all exciting in their own right. In the Athletic Suite, a ceremony dedicating the new Track and Field complex honored Roland Landes, EMU’s most successful coach of Men’s Cross-Country and Track and Field. Rounding out the mainstage events, Kate Baer ’07 laughed alongside the audience as she recounted memories from her days at EMU and read poems from her most recent book, “And Yet.”
“I was really grateful to listen to Kate,” commented first year Malia Bauman. “She is able to pinpoint feelings around the challenges of women and mothers that sometimes feel elusive.” Baer is a 3x New York Times Best-selling Author, who has also been published in The New Yorker, Literary Hub, Huffington Post and The New York Times.
Concluding the festivities for the weekend, visitors were able to attend a worship service in Lehman Auditorium Sunday Morning before returning home. This weekend was one to remember as many old connections were rekindled in addition to those that were newly set aflame.
