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Wesleyan prepping for Homecoming

West Virginia Wesleyan College is preparing to welcome alumni, students, faculty, staff, family and friends back to their home among the hills for the annual Homecoming celebration. From Oct. 10-13, Wesleyan will host Homecoming 2013 with a weekend full of entertainment and activities for all ages. Friendships will be rekindled, memories shared and new connections made throughout a weekend dedicated to celebrating and cherishing all Wesleyan alumni and friends.

The first event of the weekend is the Showcase of the Arts performance, showcasing faculty from the Department of Theatre and Dance. The recital takes place at 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10, in the Culpepper Auditorium in the Virginia Thomas Law Center for the Performing Arts.

The annual Founders Day Convocation will take place Friday, Oct. 11, at 11 a.m. in Wesley Chapel. The Honorable Robin Jean Davis ’78 will deliver the keynote address at this traditional tribute to Wesleyan’s founders. The college will also honor men and women who have carried on the tradition of excellence begun at the institution more than 120 years ago, with alumni awards and honorary degrees presented during the Convocation. The Founders Day Luncheon will follow Convocation at 12:30 p.m. in the Social Hall of the Benedum Campus Center.

Meanwhile, the Johnny Myers Golf Classic tees off at noon at Stonewall Resort on the same day, and recognizes a longtime golf coach and Wesleyan legend. That afternoon, a Food Village will begin to be constructed with nonperishable food items being donated for local food pantries at Rockefeller Plaza. Professor Doug van Gundy will offer a demonstration of Appalachian folk music at 3 p.m. in Erickson Alumni Center.

The 2013 Homecoming Banquet allows alumni an opportunity to break bread together and celebrate their alma mater at 6:30 p.m. in the French A. See Dining Center. Another Showcase of the Arts is scheduled for 9 p.m. in the Culpepper Auditorium in the Virginia Thomas Law Center for the Performing Arts. The special performance will feature the Department of Theatre and Dance.

The celebration gets off to an early start on Saturday, Oct. 12, with a Zumba Party with Angel Williamson Riley ’99 in the Wellness Center in Jenkins Hall. Meanwhile, the Wesleyan Society and Reger Society Breakfast, hosted by President Pamela Balch ’71 and her husband Patrick, is set for 8:30 a.m. in the Performing Arts Center. At 10 a.m., all alumni are invited to mingle with current and retired faculty and staff at a reception in the Annie Merner Pfieffer Library, while various student organizations will host activities for children from 10-11 a.m., also in the library. The Department of Nursing will host a manikin simulation demonstration at 10:45 a.m. in the same location.

At 11:30 a.m., the Wesleyan community will showcase its Bobcat pride at a tailgate picnic at Ross Football Field followed by a football game where the Bobcats take on West Virginia State at 1 p.m. The Athletic Hall of Fame banquet returns to Homecoming weekend with a banquet and induction ceremony at 5 p.m. in the Social Hall. The Homecoming Bash and Reunion Social will get underway at 7 p.m. in the Stonewall Resort Ballroom. Sponsored by the WVWC Alumni Council and earmarked to support The Wesleyan Fund for current scholarships, special Wesleyan items will be up for bid at the Orange & Black Silent Auction from 7-8:30 p.m.

The weekend’s activities come to a close on Sunday with Sarah Hanko McKinney ’98 of Glencoe United Methodist Church in Summerfield, N.C., serving as the guest speaker at the 10:30 a.m. Homecoming Chapel Service. Visitors will then say their goodbyes at the Bon Voyage Brunch, to be held at 11:30 a.m. in the French A. See Dining Center.

Throughout the weekend, the Erickson Alumni Center will be open to welcome visitors back to campus, where they can meet with friends and peruse yearbooks. Registration will be open in Rockefeller Lobby on Friday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Class reunion events are open to all alumni and take place on Saturday. The classes of 1938, 1943, 1948, 1953, 1958, 1963, 1968, 1973, 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998, 2003 and 2008 will be celebrating reunions this year with a variety of events scheduled.

All alumni and friends are invited to attend. For more information and a full schedule of events, visit www.wvwc.edu/alumni/homecoming.

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