By Cheri Stutzman | Echo
This weekend, October 12-14, Taylor will be welcoming parents, alumni and families to campus.
"Homecoming and Family Weekend is an opportunity for alumni, parents and families to return to Taylor and join together in fellowship around class visits, corporate worship, special meals, athletics, learning opportunities, the arts and other events that focus on connecting and reconnecting with new and old friends," said Joyce Wood, senior director of parent and community relations.
Wood expects roughly 2,500 guests to visit this weekend to participate in the events happening around campus. The Homecoming and Family weekend website lists the numerous events which range from outdoor activities such as a 5k run to sporting events to the comedy show performed by Rice Pilaf. Friday evening, the DC will be putting on a "Harvest Festival" Dinner, with a menu ranging from chicken and rosemary gnocchi with smoked tomato marinara to tortilla crusted tilapia tacos, to various types of flatbreads. The Dining Commons opens at 5 p.m. and will close at 7:30 p.m.Another event is the Cardboard Boat Regatta, taking place at the Taylor lake from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m Saturday afternoon. According to the website, participants have cardboard, plastic sheets and duct tape to make a boat sturdy enough to carry one person in the Taylor lake. Multiple athletic events are also happening this Saturday, including a football game against Marian University at 1:00 p.m., men's lacrosse at 4:00 p.m. and men's soccer at 6:00 p.m. There will be food trucks in the Odle parking lot from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Class reunions and events for alumni will be held throughout the weekend from the five-year reunion all the way up to 65th year reunions. Reunion gatherings and dinners will be held Friday evening and Saturday, depending on the specific class. During Homecoming weekend, "Alumni can relive their days on the Taylor campus and create new memories at the place many of them say changed their lives forever," Wood said. Saturday night, beginning at 7:30 p.m.Taylor is hosting singer Michael W. Smith for a concert in Rediger Chapel.Junior Rachel Gist said she likes Homecoming and Family Weekend because it is a chance for her to meet the parents of the people she does life with. "It's fun to like see your friend's parents and get to know who raised them," Gist said.Wood is thrilled alumni, parents and families are coming to Taylor to visit and hopes they all will feel welcomed and a part of Taylor University. There will be a registration table in the LaRita Boren Center Friday and Saturday. Wood would like to see guests stop by so they can welcome guests and connect them with all that the weekend has to offer. "It's just like nice to get a little piece of home here," Gist said.
