Monmouth College Homecoming set for Oct. 5-7

by Barry McNamara

Monmouth, IL (09/26/2018) — More than 500 guests are expected to help celebrate Monmouth College's 2018 Homecoming weekend Oct. 5-7. Events will include award ceremonies, reunions, a parade, a football game against Grinnell College, a pre-game alumni gathering and a Saturday night concert.

"There are activities for all ages throughout the weekend, but the renewed friendships and reminiscing that will take place are what make the weekend so special," said Director of Alumni Engagement Hannah Maher, whose team is busy preparing a warm welcome home for alumni. "Reconnecting with each other, and with Monmouth College, strengthens that thread that binds us all together, no matter where 'home' may currently be."

Friday events

The induction of retired CompX International Inc. president and CEO David Bowers '60 and engineer Won Yang Everett '68 into the Hall of Achievement - the highest honor the College bestows upon its graduates - will be part of the Alumni Impact Awards ceremony, which will be held at 6 p.m. Friday in Mellinger Commons in the Center for Science and Business.

Bowers was with CompX International Inc., a leading U.S. manufacturer of security products and recreational marine components, and its predecessors since 1960. Bowers served in sales, marketing and several executive positions before being named the company's president in 1998. His leadership with Monmouth College began in 1974 when he was elected to the Alumni Board, later serving as its president. He joined the Board of Trustees in 1980, and became chair in 1995, a position he held for 13 years. He is currently trustee emeritus.

Everett was the only woman to serve as a mathematician in the Naval Research Laboratory's Electronic Warfare Division, then was a systems engineer and program manager for private military contractors. Prior to her retirement, she was a senior lead engineer selected to the Department of Defense's Missile Defense National Team.

Others to be honored at the Alumni Impact Awards ceremony are: former Virginia legislator Robert Brink '68, Distinguished Alumnus; retired Dean of Students Jacquelyn Condon, Distinguished Service; chief science officer for Hogan Assessment Systems Ryne Sherman '06, Young Alumnus; and the Pepper family, Family of the Year. English professor Mark Willhardt, the College's interim dean of the faculty, will be presented with the Hatch Academic Excellence Award for Distinguished Teaching.

Friday's other events include "Hoptimistic Thoughts" at 4 p.m. in the Nutrition Lab of the Center for Science and Business. Associate Professor of Chemistry Brad Sturgeon and Steve Murmann '80 will speak about beer-making and their local "pico" brewery startup, DeNovo Beverage.

The Homecoming spirit shout will begin at 8 p.m. Friday at April Zorn Memorial Stadium. The traditional celebration, which will feature competition by student organizations and the introduction of Homecoming royalty, will conclude with a fireworks display.

Saturday events

Saturday's events begin at 8:30 a.m. when three Fighting Scots athletic greats are inducted into the M Club Hall of Fame. The ceremony for champion distance runner Doug Carlson '66, record-setting quarterback Rob Purlee '04 and national pole vault champion Jonny Henkins '08 will be held on the main concourse of the Huff Athletic Center.

At 10 a.m., the College's Alumni House, 701 E. Broadway, will be formally dedicated. The house was made possible by Bonnie Bondurant Shaddock '54. Alumni relations staff returned to the house this summer after being located off campus for several years.

Also at 10 a.m., Monmouth's Great Lectures Series continues in the Pattee Auditorium in the Center for Science and Business. Political science professor Farhat Haq will speak in memory of her late department colleague Ira Smolensky and his contribution to teaching.

The celebration of Smolensky's life will continue at 11:30 a.m. in the Wallace Hall lobby as alumni are invited to share their memories, stories and photos of the beloved professor, who has been called "the Great Encourager."

The Homecoming parade on East Broadway between Sixth Street and Ninth Street, will begin at 11 a.m. Sponsored by the Association for Student Activity Programming, it will include the Monmouth College Pipe Band and Fighting Scots Marching Band. Last year's Homecoming king and queen will also ride in the parade, as will the 2018 Homecoming court, alumni award recipients and the 40-, 35-, 30-, 10- and five-year reunion classes.

At 12:30 p.m., the fourth annual Greek Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held in Mellinger Commons. Slated to receive acceptance into the Hall of Fame are Susan West '82, Tom Sargent '85 and Lt. Col. Christopher Heatherly '94.

New this year on Saturday is the Alumni Game Day Gathering, which will be held from noon-7 p.m. in Pattee Hall parking lot.

The Homecoming football game against Grinnell College will kick off at a special start time of 2 p.m. at Zorn Stadium. The men's soccer team is also home on Saturday, hosting Illinois College at 11 a.m. at Peacock Memorial Athletic Park. At 10 a.m. Sunday, the annual alumni baseball game will be played at Glasgow Field.

At 7:30 p.m. Saturday, a Homecoming choral concert will be performed in Dahl Chapel and Auditorium, featuring the Chorale, the Chamber Choir and the Concert Choir.

Reunions will be held throughout the weekend for the classes of 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998, 2003, 2008 and 2013.

For a full schedule of events: monmouthcollege.edu/homecoming.

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