McKendree Homecoming, Family Weekend Set for Oct. 11-13

(LEBANON, Ill., Oct. 2, 2024) – McKendree University invites alumni, students, friends and the community at large to visit campus for their traditional Homecoming Weekend, which will take place from Friday, Oct. 11 through Sunday, Oct. 13. This year’s theme is the Purple Era. This weekend is sponsored in part by Martin Roofing & Solar, The Furniss Law Firm, Sodexo, and Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers.

Register at www.mckendree.edu/homecoming for any or all of the following activities:

Friday, Oct. 11
Enchanted Evening: The Alumni Awards Ceremony, 7 p.m. All alumni, parents and friends are invited to the Alumni Awards Ceremony at the Hett as the university honors their distinguished alumni. Attendees are invited to enjoy hor d’oeuvres, drinks and a night of celebration and pride. Doors open with a social hour at 6 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person.

Saturday, Oct. 12
Ready for It Run: 5K Walk/Run, Kids’ Dash and Diaper Dash, 7 to 8:30 a.m. Alumni are welcome to sign up and participate in this special 5K walk/run, and children are invited to participate in a Kids’ Dash or Diaper Dash around the campus and in downtown Lebanon. The Diaper Dash will take place on Leemon Field during halftime at the football game. This event is sponsored by Martin Roofing and Solar in Mascoutah, Ill., and Sodexo in Lebanon. All proceeds support the university’s Annual Fund, which benefits student scholarships, student services, academic instruction and more.

Men’s and Women’s Basketball Alumni Open Scrimmage, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Alumni of the men’s and women’s basketball teams are invited back to campus to get a first look at this year’s teams. Alumni are invited to watch an open scrimmage and reconnect with former teammates at the Melvin Price Convocation Center.

You Belong with McKendree: Alumni Welcome Tent and Tailgating Party, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Alumni are invited to visit campus and reconnect with former classmates, friends, faculty and staff at this complimentary homecoming party. Ames Dining Hall will be open for lunch, and alumni can receive special homecoming swag while supplies last at the Alumni Welcome Tent. To reserve a tailgating space, please call (618) 537-6585.

End Game: Homecoming Football Game, 1 p.m. Cheer on the Bearcats as they take on Southwest Baptist University at the homecoming football game at Leemon Field. Tickets are $10 for adults while children under five are free. Tickets may be purchased at the door or by calling (618) 537-6585.

Timeless Tradition: Reunion Gatherings. Several reunions and tailgates will be taking place all day throughout campus, including an LGBTQIA+ tailgate with Spectrum Alliance, a psychology department reunion tailgate, a School of Business reunion tailgate, a FEROX alumni Phi Rho Chi fraternity reunion, a women’s basketball tailgate, a Kappa Sigma Tau (KET) reunion tailgate, and a ‘70s-era and ‘80s-era alumni tailgate.

Legal Society Happy Hour, 5 to 7 p.m. Members of McKendree’s Legal Society are invited to meet and connect at Papa John’s Clubhouse, formerly Locust Hills, in Lebanon. This event is sponsored by The Furniss Law Firm in St. Louis, Mo.

The Ozark Mountain Daredevils, 7:30 p.m. Legendary musical group The Ozark Mountain Daredevils will be taking to the stage at the Hett to dazzle the audience with a sold-out show. Contact the Hett at (618) 537-6863 to be added to the waiting list or visit www.thehett.com to learn more.

Sunday, Oct. 13
Choir Alumni Reunion, 8:30 a.m. Choir alumni are invited to reconnect and participate in the annual homecoming memorial chapel service in the Circuit Riders room at Bothwell Chapel. Join fellow alumni vocalists and current choir students for a rehearsal at 9 a.m. and a chapel service at 10 a.m.

Homecoming Memorial Chapel Service, 10 a.m. McKendree Chaplain the Reverend Dr. Beverly Wilkes-Null will lead alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends in worship. Deceased alumni of the past year will be honored during the service. The Reverend John Boswell, a 1982 alum of the university, will be giving the sermon.

Bearcat Brunch, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Conclude Homecoming and Family Weekend with a delightful brunch at Ames Dining Hall. Tickets are $10 per person at the door.

For more information or to register for events, please visit www.mckendree.edu/homecoming.

 

-McK-