Homecoming weekend on Oct. 5-6 provided alumni plenty of opportunities to “return, relive, and renew.” Activities included alumni receptions and programs and athletic events.

Alumni such as Dooley Miller ’75 enjoyed the time.

“It is always great to be back on campus,” Miller said. “I’ve learned to appreciate it more as I’ve gotten older. You really start to understand the importance of your time at PC.”

Activities began with a golf tournament on Friday morning. Alumni teed off at The Links at Stoney Point in nearby Greenwood. An alumni baseball game was held Saturday morning on PC’s campus. James Dudley ’94 said, “the baseball game was enjoyable, and it consumed a good bit of the morning.”

The receptions held during the two-day weekend gave alumni ample opportunity to relive memories with fellow classmates.

The African American Alumni Association’s reception was held this year at the President’s House. Alumni Tony Grant ‘94 and Bo Bo Beasley ‘78 were both in attendance. The reception was a highlight for Beasley.

“Seeing old friends and making new ones always makes for a great time,” Beasley said.

Friday night’s An Evening Under the Oaks and the 50^th Reunion Party, as well as Saturday’s Celebration and Class Reunions all provided alumni the chance to see old friends and make new ones.

Saturday’s Alumni Reception and Class Pictures was the chance for alumni to have breakfast together and get pictures made as they enjoyed special guests The Ben Hay Hammett Society.

Also on Saturday was the Alumni Program, which honors alumni for their community service, professional achievements, and dedication to PC. A significant event every year, the program had added significance this year.

“The Alumni Association meeting was particularly meaningful,” Randy Randall, Executive Director of Alumni & Community Relations said, “because in addition to giving alumni awards to some very deserving people, we were able to start the Thomas Aurelius Stallworth Award in memory of Tom Stallworth, who passed away earlier this year.”

It was the weekend’s highlight for many, including Miller.

“The activities planned for the alumni are great,” Miller said. “I especially liked the alumni awards ceremony.”

Homecoming isn’t complete without sporting events. The Blue Hose volleyball team competed against Winthrop and High Point over homecoming weekend. On Saturday the women’s soccer team tied Winthrop in a defensive struggle that left the teams scoreless after overtime.

“It was an added treat to attend the volleyball and soccer matches,” Beasley said.

The football game allowed for congregation beforehand and fireworks during. Alumni swapped stories and prepared for the game during the young alumni tailgate and multicultural tailgate.

Dr. Rodney Cohen, Director of Multicultural Student Affairs, noted the excitement that begins with fellowship before the game.

“Having worked at institutions two to three times the size of PC,” Cohen said, “I have observed that the homecoming tailgate experience at PC rivals many of those institutions, just on a smaller scale.”

The football game didn’t disappoint either. Quarterback Tim Webb passed for school records in yards and touchdowns as PC defeated North Greenville 66-52.

Fireworks at Bailey Memorial Stadium rounded out the weekend.

“It was really nice to be back on campus again” Dudley said. “I look forward to my springtime visits as well as next year’s homecoming weekend.”

posted by sadyer@presby.edu

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