Every October, AU’s past and present converge with the annual Homecoming celebration, welcoming alumni and families of the AU community to interact, relax, and reignite fond memories of AU. From the familiar luminaries lighting up the Valley to the bustling street fair and the thrilling sports events, AU nostalgia once again sweeps the hearts of students, faculty, staff, and alumni alike.
Friday Night & Luminaries
The Friday night of Homecoming weekend was filled with activities for former and current AU students. The campus hosted a reception at Helios in front of Hartung Hall. Alumni, families, and students could come to gather and talk to old friends while eating donuts, drinking apple cider, and walking down the Valley with the luminaries.
“‘Create the same moments that alumni had when they went here’ was a key emphasis for homecoming weekend”, said Alumni Director Cheris Miller. She added she wanted AU to “still feel like home” for the alumni coming back for homecoming. Miller also had gifts for the alumni including stickers, magnets, pins, and frisbees.
This event was loved by students and alumni. “It’s always great to see your family,” said freshman student Joey Avouris when hanging out with his family from Michigan. Many other families were around for the luminaries to see their current students. Former alumni were the majority of the crowd at the reception. 1985 alums Donna (Kemp) Mellow and Kathy (Hunter) Wessel visited for the reception. “I came to see old friends,” Mellow said, who traveled from Missouri for Homecoming weekend. Donna and Kathy were interested in all the changes AU had done since they graduated, and they were excited for the future.
The night was capped off by the beautiful luminaries in the Valley, the relaxing vibe and walk were perfect picture opportunities for everyone. Friday night was filled with a great night of community at AU.
Old Ravens Meet Once Again
During the month of October, Anderson University is most well known for the Homecoming Street Fair, which took place last Saturday. The street fair is a time for students and organizations to collect funds by selling and promoting their associated merchandise along with treats and activities. The street fair is so special and significant for the university because it is also a time for alumni to mingle with each other and meet the current students.
There were booths for all different types of clubs and organizations, from HLSA (Hispanic Latino Student Association) to Delight Ministries, there was something for everyone to see and enjoy. Along with the booths it was different this year without the Ferris wheel which was ultimately replaced with bungee jumping.
“It’s fun seeing people get to enjoy what we’ve made, from the people who were once here to people who have never been here but could come again,” said Kadisha Smith, co-president of the International Student Association (ISA) who was preparing shish kebabs on the grill. “Even if I’m not really attending it, I still love the vibes and the energy.”
Back to the 80s
Brought to the AU community by Avanti Boosters, Encore was a fun-filled night of music, performances, and skits taking the crowd straight back to the 1980’s. The show featured impressively presented music, excellent production, and performances that kept the crowd on their feet and moving throughout the whole show. Featuring hits by Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Cyndi Lauper, and George Michael, students got a true taste of the decade they surely won’t forget. Congratulations to all the performers, the band, and the Boosters for an excellent show.
Homecoming Sports Wrap
According to Aaron Schneider, the Sports Information Director of AU Athletics, the Women’s Swimming & Diving team picked up a 153-37 victory against Manchester University and a 128-64 victory against Hanover College at Bennett Natatorium for the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC). Notably, Morgan Ferguson improved her school record in the 100-yard individual medley with a time of 1 minute and 2.44 seconds, earning herself the first place. Talia Leer and Lindsey Pickering also earned personal wins in the conference, with Leer taking first place for the 100 breaststroke and the 50 freestyle while Pickering placed first in the 6-dive 1-meter diving event.
In the men’s swimming & diving events, the team cruised past Hanover College 118-24, but was overtaken by Manchester University 132-76. Noah Singleton improved his record and captured first place for the 100-yard individual medley in 54.84 seconds. Additionally, Reid Haney captured first in the 1,000 freestyle and the 500 freestyle while Camden Perrine secured first place in the 100 freestyle.
Both the AU women’s and men’s soccer teams defeated Franklin College at Fridley Field on Saturday. Kyndall Ferguson, Natalie Marcum and Caroline Hill each scored goals for the Ravens, winning the game 3-1 for the women’s soccer game. Brendan Hall, assisted by Cohen Wintin, scored the only goal of the entire men’s soccer game with the score of 1-0.
The men and women’s tennis teams steamed past Indiana University East on Friday, but the women’s team was overtaken by St. Mary’s College (Ind.). Against IU East, both teams scored 6-1, with most of the wins secured by Pedro Sette, Luis Guerrero and Ezekiel Bergen for the men’s team and Ella Frantz, Gabby Hosier, Abby Cunningham, and Paula Torrent for the women’s team. Against St. Mary’s, Isabella Patterson and Hosier recorded an exhibition win at doubles.
Bluffton University (4-1 overall, 2-0 HCAC) handed the AU football team (1-4, 0-2) a 49-7 loss during Saturday’s Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) contest on Saturday at Lapel High School. Preston Yoder caught a 16-yard touchdown pass from Cody Eastgate. Albert Rabb rushed for 63 yards, while Carson Brookbank contributed 91 passing yards. Corey Layton converted the lone extra point attempt. Jonathan Hayworth-Dupree and Gavin Reners each had one sac a piece. The Ravens will next travel to Hanover for an HCAC clash this Saturday.