MACON – Mercer University will welcome thousands of alumni and friends to the Macon campus Nov. 11-12 for Homecoming 2022.
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.
“Homecoming is an important annual tradition in the life of the Mercer community,” said Jill Kinsella, associate vice president for alumni services and special events. “It’s a weekend of celebrating people whose friendships, careers and lives were shaped from their Mercer experience.”
The 10th annual Alumni Career Speaker Series kicks off activities on Friday with presentations by Brad Moriarty (EGR ’12), Levi Lewis (CLAS ’12), Mark Hatcher (BUS ’00), Dr. Mary Murray (CLAS ’92), Dr. Earl Stewart (CLAS ’09) and Amy Miller Wall (CLAS ’97, LAW ’00) at locations across campus at 10 a.m.
The undergraduate Class of 1972 Golden Anniversary reception and dinner will take place from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in Connell Student Center Conference Rooms I and II.
The seventh annual Alumni Awards Reception and Dinner in the Presidents Dining Room from 6-8 p.m. will honor recipients of 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.
This year’s Distinguished Alumna Award will be presented to Karen Lambert (CLAS ’77), while the Meritorious Service Award will be presented to Dr. James C. “Jimmy” Elder Jr., (CLAS ’77), and the Young Alumna Award will be presented to Kaitlynn Kressin (CLAS ’15).
Four individuals will be recognized with Alumni by Choice Awards, including Suzanne Crum Harper, Patricia E. “Pat” Williams, Virginia “Ginny” Wilson and Dr. Ruth Anne Rich.
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, followed by a fireworks display.
Saturday’s events begin with the 12th edition of the Homecoming 5K as participants race through the University’s beautiful campus. Check-in begins at 7 a.m. at Butler Family Plaza just outside the main entrance to Five Star Stadium. Registration is $20 in advance or $25 for walk-ups.
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. contest versus Furman. The Office of Alumni Services will host a tailgate on Black Field honoring reunion year undergraduate classes of 1972, 1982, 1992, 1997, 2002 and 2012. Alumni and friends may stop by for a snack, drink and socializing with classmates.
Black Field will include a variety of activities for all ages, including the Ford Concert Series, featuring Dillon Carmichael and Jupiter Coyote, prior to kickoff of a key Southern Conference matchup between the Bears and Paladins.
These are just a few of the events available throughout the weekend. To view the complete Homecoming 2022 schedule, visit homecoming.mercer.edu/schedule.
Registration is required for select events. Online registration closes Nov. 2 at 11 p.m., but walk-up registration will remain available for a number of events. Registration instructions vary by event, so guests are encouraged to consult the online schedule before arriving on campus.
