This year, on Oct. 18-20, all MU alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends are invited to a time filled with excitement, laughter, and memories. Monarchs will find annual traditions such as alumni awards, affinity group events, athletic events, and more. But this year, MU is introducing a few new events including men’s and women’s lacrosse alumni games, Black Alumni Chapter Game Night, Music Bingo, Black Alumni Chapter Sneaker Ball, and a 50+ Class Year Reunion.
One of the best weekends of the entire year is less than a month away – Methodist University’s Homecoming Weekend.
This year, on Oct. 18-20, all MU alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends are invited to a time filled with excitement, laughter, and memories. Monarchs will find annual traditions such as alumni awards, affinity group events, athletic events, and more. But this year, MU is introducing a few new events including men’s and women’s lacrosse alumni games, Black Alumni Chapter Game Night, Music Bingo, Black Alumni Chapter Sneaker Ball, and a 50+ Class Year Reunion.
“One of the most rewarding aspects of my role is witnessing the joy and excitement as alumni return to campus for Homecoming,” said Taylor Murphy ’15, MU’s director of Alumni Relations. “Homecoming is always a special time at Methodist University, where we come together to celebrate our shared history, reconnect with friends, and create new memories. This year promises to be even more exciting as we welcome back our alumni for a weekend filled with tradition, pride, and Monarch spirit.”
Anyone interested in MU’s Homecoming Weekend is encouraged to register in advance, giving Monarchs the option to purchase the Homecoming package – which includes the exclusive Homecoming t-shirt designed by Gciniwe (Simelane) Matiwane ’24, food truck meal voucher at the Alumni Tailgate, and football ticket – for $30 each. MU also offers a discount for anyone staying at recommended hotels.
“Attending Homecoming provides an opportunity to connect with fellow classmates and to spend time walking around campus to see all of the exciting changes,” said Rob Foreman ’92, 2nd vice president of the Methodist University Alumni Association and chair of the Homecoming Committee, who will be traveling to Homecoming Weekend from Manchester, N.H. “I’ve traveled to campus for the last three Homecoming Weekends, and each year it energizes my passions for the University while allowing me to relive such fond memories I had as a student.”
2024 Alumni Association Award Winners
The following Methodist University community members will be recognized during the Alumni Awards ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 19 at the Alumni Dining Room:
- Distinguished Alumni Award: Diedre Windsor ’94
- Distinguished Young Alumni Award: Christopher Biggins ’14
- Alumni Service Award: Dr. Mica (Gay) Mitchell ’01
- Outstanding Faculty Award: Dr. Denise Bauer
- Outstanding Staff Award: Rebecca King ’12
- Philanthropist Award: Norwood E. Bryan Jr.
2024 Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees
The following Methodist University alumni will be recognized during the Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Friday, Oct. 18 in the Matthews Ministry Center:
- Kaitlin (Flaherty) Bisplinghoff ’11 (Women’s Tennis)
- James Green ’84 (Men’s Basketball)
- Ruth Keegan ’95 (Women’s Soccer)
- Max Reber ’14 (Football)
- Teams of Distinction: 1999 & 2000 Softball teams
Homecoming Weekend Events
Below is a comprehensive list of this year’s Homecoming Weekend events. Any event containing an asterisk is a new offering in 2024. For the most up-to-date comprehensive schedule – as times and locations are subject to change – please visit the Homecoming page.
For questions, visit the Homecoming page or contact Alumni Office staff at [email protected] or 910.630.7485.
Thursday, Oct. 17
Women’s Volleyball vs. Meredith College
7 p.m., Riddle Center
Friday, Oct. 18
Welcome Reception
5 p.m., Fairfield Inn & Suites (4249 Ramsey St.)
Athletics Hall of Fame
6:30 p.m., Matthews Chapel
Black Alumni Chapter Game Night*
7 p.m., The Livery Cigar Emporium (147 Maxwell St.)
Music Bingo*
8 p.m., Fairfield Inn & Suites (4249 Ramsey St.)
Homecoming Bonfire
8 p.m., Gravel lot behind Riddle Athletics Center
Saturday, Oct. 19
Alumni Association Meeting
8 a.m., Alumni Dining Room
PGA Golf Management Ceremonial Tee Shot
9 a.m., “Downback” Golf Course
Softball Alumni Game
9:30 a.m. Price Field
Women’s Basketball Alumni Game
10 a.m., Riddle Athletics Center
Women’s Lacrosse Alumni Game*
10 a.m., Practice Field
Alumni Awards Ceremony
10 a.m., Alumni Dining Room
Men’s Lacrosse Alumni Game*
11 a.m., Practice Field
Men’s Basketball Alumni Game
11 a.m., Riddle Athletics Center
Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity 50th Celebration Tailgate
11:30 a.m., Tailgate Area
Candlelight Memorial Service
11:30 a.m., Matthews Chapel
Alumni Tailgate
Noon – 2 p.m., Alumni Headquarters
Men’s Basketball Alumni Lunch
Noon, Riddle Athletics Center
PGA Golf Management Tailgate
Noon, Tailgate Area
Nursing Tailgate
12:30 p.m., Chaffin Building
50+ Class Year Reunion Event*
12:30 p.m., Alumni Dining Room
Women’s Basketball Alumni Tailgate
1 p.m., Tailgate Area
Women’s Soccer vs. Mary Baldwin University
1 p.m., Duggins Soccer Stadium
Football vs. Southern Virginia University
3 p.m., Monarch Stadium
Black Alumni Chapter Sneaker Ball
8 p.m., Location TBD
Sunday, Oct. 20
Black Alumni Chapter Scholarship Brunch
Noon, Matthews Chapel