MACON – Mercer University will welcome thousands of alumni and friends to the Macon campus Nov. 10-11 for Homecoming 2023.
The Office of Alumni Services has partnered with other University entities to offer numerous events for alumni, families and friends during a weekend of celebration.
“We are looking forward to welcoming our alumni and friends back home for an exciting Homecoming weekend,” said B. Todd Smith, associate vice president for University Advancement and executive director of the Mercer Alumni Association. “We have a lot of great events planned, and my favorite part of Homecoming is reconnecting with the generations of alumni who will be back home this weekend, and I can’t wait to see everyone on campus. Go Bears!”
The 11th Annual Alumni Career Speaker Series kicks off activities on Friday with presentations by Nathaniel Bittman (BUS ’00), Carly Williams (BBA ’97), Patricia Carter (BSE ’03), Tim Slocum (CLAS ’01) and Josh Rogers (CLAS ‘05) at locations across campus from 10-11 a.m.
The dedication of Kicklighter Hall and Freedom Plaza will take place at 1:30 p.m. adjacent to Penfield Hall, followed by an ROTC open house.
The Undergraduate Class of 1973 Golden Anniversary reception and dinner will take place starting at 5:30 p.m. in Penfield Hall.
The eighth annual Alumni and Friends Awards Reception and Dinner in the Presidents Dining Room at the University Center from 6-8 p.m. will honor the University’s three major alumni awards, as well as Alumni by Choice Award recipients and Mercer Athletic Hall of Fame’s newest induction class.
Alumni, students and the community will gather on Cruz Plaza at 8 p.m. for the annual pep rally featuring Mercer cheer, dance, the marching band and the football team, as well as the announcement of the Homecoming court, a celebration of the successful completion of Mercer’s $500 million Aspire capital campaign, followed by a fireworks display.
Saturday’s events begin with the 13th running of the Homecoming 5K as participants start at Five Star Stadium and race through the University’s beautiful campus. Registration is $20 in advance. Please note that online registration will close at noon on Friday, but participants may still sign up for the race on the morning of the event at the race site/start at 7:45 a.m.
Alice in Wonderland, presented by Mercer Theatre, will take place from 10-11 a.m. at Tattnall Square Park. This free performance is appropriate for all audiences.
The Half Century Club Induction and Celebration, honoring undergraduate alumni who graduated 50 or more years ago, will take place from 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. on the University Center intramural courts.
Many tailgating opportunities will be available before the football team’s 3 p.m. game when the Bears will face off against the Samford Bulldogs with a potential post-season playoff berth on the line. Prior to kick-off, Black Field will include a variety of activities for all ages.
These are just a few of the events available throughout the weekend. To view the complete Homecoming 2023 schedule, visit homecoming.mercer.edu/schedule.
Registration is required for select events, and registration instructions vary by event, so guests are encouraged to consult the online schedule before arriving on campus.
