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Homecoming 2009 - Strike up the Band! The Class of '64 and '69 made their mark with the historic 45th reunion of Methodist's first graduating class and a great turn-out and "roaring" good time for '69 graduates during Homecoming 2009! The weekend kicked off with a reception at ScrubOaks, the new restaurant near Methodist's campus that five alumni are behind. With delicious appetizers compliments of the ScrubOaks alumni (Tim and Gwen Holtsclaw '92, '68; Scotti Sykes Marshburn '96; Darren Thompson '96; and J.P. Laird '08), alumni had fun looking through annuals from reunion years and getting caught up on each other's lives. While most of the Class of '69 continued their reunion at the restaurant, others departed to attend the Friday evening Hall of Fame Banquet, where Jerry and the late Faye Huckabee,'66, '68, Allyson Greer Kotes '94, Chad Collins '01, and Jason Childers '98 were inducted. Following the Hall of Fame Banquet, alumni returned to ScrubOaks, where the Class of '69 were still going strong, for a reception in honor of Jerry Huckabee arranged by Gene Clayton, former coach and athletic director and now Vice President for Business and Finance at Methodist.
Saturday began sunny and brisk, with a complimentary breakfast at the Alumni Registration Tent available as well as the MU Alumni Association's Silent Auction and Methodist University/College Alumni items for sale. Bill Billings '68 was on hand and signed many copies of his new history of the first 50 years of Methodist. Alumni helped themselves to breakfast and then set off for the campus tour with Jim Darden '69, the Choral Reunion rehearsal, the Alumni Basketball games in the Riddle Center, the Tennis Reunion, the University Bookstore, or stayed at the breakfast tent to enjoy the fellowship. On the menu for the annual Lunch on the Green was soup with ravioli and Chicken Marsala, just right for a chilly day, and served up by Carrabba's proprietor Mark Moses '97. Mark has donated this meal for increasing numbers of returning alumni for four years running. This year well over 200 attended. All proceeds from the lunch go to the Alumni Endowed Scholarship. The program included a performance by the Alumni Chorale, conducted by Dr. Michael Martin and former director Alan Porter, as well as the presentation of the MU Alumni Association Awards, recognition of classes in reunion, recognition of past MUAA award winners, and recognition of the current year's Hall of Fame inductees. Just as the program was concluding, a new tradition passed on Joe Stout View Lane - the student Homecoming Parade, complete with Homecoming Court in cars, cheerleaders and dancers in the lead, and the new Marching Monarch Band culminating the procession. Alumni had an opportunity to tour the new Football Fieldhouse before the 1:00 p.m. kick-off. The Monarchs were victorious on the football field against Shenandoah, winning 17-14 in overtime, and against Greensboro in Men's Soccer, battling back from behind for a 2-1 win.
Saturday evening about 60 alumni gathered for a party at ScrubOaks with entertainment by Rockin' Rahn Kersey '89 the DJ, and Dr. Warren McDonald and his band. Dr. McDonald is Director of MU's M.B.A. program, but he also was once a lead singer and guitarist with The Embers. He had alumni on their feet and dancing with two sets of beach music. Rockin' Rahn kept things rolling with tunes throughout the last five decades, and he had people line dancing with the Electric Slide, the Cha-Cha Slide, and the Cupid Shuffle. He then had them singing with karaoke. All agreed that the heavy hors d'oeuvres served throughout the evening were fabulous, and the brownie bites and fried cheesecake were too good to pass up! Altogether, Homecoming 2009 was a great way to celebrate renewed and new friendships and our love of Methodist University!
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