Berea College will celebrate its 2011 homecoming, November 11-13, with special celebrations for the classes of 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006, and 2011.
Special events include an alumni awards reception, a career networking opportunity, a block party on Main Street, the Black Music Ensemble concert, two basketball games and BereaFEST with inflatables, live music, food and children’s activities. If you cannot make it to homecoming then follow the activities through the Twitter hashtag #bchc2011.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11
On Friday at 6 p.m. during the Alumni Awards Reception in the Main Dining Room in Boone Tavern, the college will honor the Reverend Patrick Napier, ‘49, and Dr. Harold Moses, ‘58, as this year’s distinguished alumni. Napier served as a staff officer in the Merchant Marines during World War II and is a Kentucky Colonel and ordained minister of several churches. Moses is director of the Frances Williams Preston Laboratories, and professor of cancer biology, medicine and pathology at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.
The Alumni Loyalty Award will be presented to Clayton Rivers, ’61, and wife Linda, ‘62. Clayton was a post doctoral fellow in alcohol studies at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital. Linda’s career involved university teaching, programming and providing direct services to gifted students at Lincoln Public Schools in Nebraska, and a private practice in psychology. Both Clay and Linda are licensed to practice psychology in the State of Nebraska and have authored substantial grants in their fields, published in professional journals and presented their research at national and international meetings.
This year’s Outstanding Young Alumnus Award will be presented to Kathryn Coughlin, ‘95. Since 2002, Coughlin has served as president of the Global Research Group, a non-profit organization which produces scholarly research on the Islamic world. She also serves as a director of research development at Harvard University.
Make reservations by contacting Alumni Relations Director Mae Suramek at 859-985-3110 or mae_suramek@berea.edu.
At 6 p.m. young alumni will have the opportunity to connect with professionals during a career networking session on the 3rd floor of the Draper building. This event provides a venue for upper class students to interact with alumni and learn about career and graduate school opportunities.
At 7 p.m. in the College Store, alumnus Keven McQueen, ’89, will have a book signing for “The Axeman Came from Hell and Other Southern True Crime Stories.” Also at 7, the 41st Annual Black Student Union Pageant, “Showtime at the Apollo: A Tribute to the Harlem Renaissance,” will take place in the Jelkyl Drama Building. Tickets are $10 for alumni and guests, $8 for non-BSU students, and $5 for BSU students. Contact the box office at 859-985-3300 to order tickets. Beginning at 9 p.m., Bereans will gather on Main Street for the Berea Block Party.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12
Events on Saturday morning include, “Rollin’ on the Quad,” an event for participants to socialize on anything with wheels (bikes, skates, etc.), at 10:45 a.m. and BereaFEST at 11:30 a.m. Both events are free and family friendly. At 1:30 the Black Music Ensemble will perform at Union Church. Beginning at 4:30 p.m., alumni are welcomed to attend an International Reception themed “Honoring Berea’s Past, Planning for a Global Tomorrow” in the Commons room of Woods-Penniman. Former international student adviser, Ed Fitzgerald will be honored at the reception.
The men’s and women’s basketball teams will play on Saturday and the homecoming king and queen will be crowned at halftime of the men’s game. The women’s team plays Indiana Tech at 5 p.m. followed by the men’s game against Tennessee Wesleyan at 7 p.m. Following the games until midnight, the Alumni and Campus Mixer in the Alumni Building will feature appetizers, mocktails, and photos from past reunions.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13
On Sunday at 10:30 a.m., an Alumni and Student Worship Service will be held at Union Church where alumni and students may enjoy a special 26th anniversary performance of the Berea College Homecoming Choir with Dr. Stephen Bolster conducting.
A complete schedule of events can be viewed at http://www.bereacollegealumni.com/s/925/images/editor_documents/homecoming_2011/homecomingfinal2011.pdf.