Alumni Return to Alma for Homecoming '08
Choir and percussion performances, class reunions, the parade and football game highlight Homecoming 2008 at Alma College.
“Homecoming always gets me excited,” says alumni board member and 1984
alumna Carolyn Schultz. “It warms my heart. It’s just a good day. The
leaves are turning. Campus is beautiful. You see a sense of that common
bond when you talk with 50-year alumni and current students. That’s
what makes homecoming special.”
A full schedule of homecoming
events and receptions will take place Sept. 26 through 28. Highlights
include the Matt Rienke 5K Scot Trot at 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, the
homecoming parade at 10:30 a.m., the alumni picnic on the chapel lawn
at 11 a.m., the football game at 1 p.m., and numerous other activities.
The 50-year class of 1958 and 25-year class of 1983 will celebrate
reunions.
Members
of the Alma College senior class nominated 10 of their classmates to
the 2008 Homecoming Court. During homecoming week, the entire student
body votes for the King and Queen with the results announced during
halftime of the football game on Saturday, Sept. 27. The Homecoming
King and Queen candidates are (seated, from left) Ian Rideout, Lansing
senior; Christopher Francis, Lapeer senior; Jacob Hanley, Memphis
senior; (standing, from left) Will Allen, Unionville senior; Antuan
Davis-Featherstone, Detroit senior: Sarah Nicholas, Metamora senior;
Paula Colburn, Battle Creek senior; Samantha Lazarowcz, Bay City
senior; Margaret Hewitt, Bay City senior. Not pictured: Ruth
Nardecchia, Royal Oak senior
Serving
as this year’s parade grand marshal is George Gazmararian, retired
business administration faculty member who taught at Alma from 1966 to
1996.
“Having George Gazmararian as grand marshal will assure that alumni
will return to campus just to see him,” says Carol Hyble, vice
president for advancement. “He is respected and loved by many, many
students and alumni.”
The Alma College Percussion Ensemble helps kick off homecoming weekend
with an 8 p.m. Friday concert in the Remick Heritage Center. Tickets
are $10 for adults, $5 for senior citizens 62 and up, and free for Alma
College staff, students and youth 18 and under. Seating is reserved.
Call (989) 463-7304 for ticket information.
The Alma College Choirs join with former choir members for the annual
homecoming concert and alumni awards ceremony at 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept.
27 in the Remick Heritage Center. Alumni rehearsal begins at 6:30 p.m.
Admission is free and open to the public.
Four alumni awards will be presented during the weekend festivities:
Distinguished Alumni Award
Greg Hatcher ’83 is CEO of The Hatcher Agency, the largest health
insurance agency in Arkansas, and a multiple winner of the Golden Eagle
Award, which recognizes the top insurance producers in the United
States.
He also is an entrepreneur, chairing and starting several organizations
in Arkansas, including the Little Rock Marathon, the Arkansas Wrestling
Association, and the Mighty Bluebird Sports Foundation, which provides
sports opportunities for kids in soccer, wrestling, baseball, football
and basketball. He also has written two books, 55 Steps to Outrageous
Service (1999) and Every Game Is Won or Lost Between the Ears: How to
Think Like a Champion (2006).
“When I look back at my experience at Alma and compare it to friends
who went to school just to study or just to play sports, I realized I
had a truly unfair advantage by being a part of the Alma College
experience.,” says Hatcher, a three-sport athlete at Alma. “Alma
College prepared me socially, it prepared me to compete, and it gave me
leadership all at the same time.”
George Hebert Lifetime Service Award
James McIntyre ‘69, known affectionately by his friends as “Mac,” is a
longtime member of the Board of Trustees and family representative to
the C.S. and Marion McIntyre Foundation, named after his parents. The
foundation has contributed to many efforts at Alma College, including
scholarships, buildings, McIntyre Mall, and, most recently, the Hogan
Center expansion.
“Jim’s commitment to his alma mater is obvious,” says Carol Hyble, vice
president for advancement. “He has taken his role as a legacy on the
Board to heart and has a deep loyalty to Alma. I can’t imagine what
Alma College would look like without the commitment of the C.S. and
Marion McIntyre Foundation and Charles and Jim McIntyre.”
Young Alumnus Award
Matt VandenBerg ’02 has an ambitious career goal: He wants to be a
college president. His current position as campaign director for
Community Counselling Services, a fund-raising consulting and
management firm in Baltimore, is part of a strategic step-by-step plan
that he hopes will give him the variety of skills and experiences
needed to someday achieve his dream.
“Everywhere I’ve gone since graduating from Alma, there have been lots
of Alma people to remind me how great the Alma experience was,” says
VandenBerg. “Alma was a transforming time in my life; it gave me
direction. I’m very grateful for all the opportunities Alma gave me.”
Smith Distinguished Service Award
Doug ’77 and Sabrina ’79 Gross continue to actively serve their alma
mater more than 30 years after graduating. They have funded
scholarships, donated ice rink equipment to the Stone Recreation Center
and hosted alumni events.
“I
am one of six children, and three of my siblings also attended Alma,”
says Sabrina. “All four of us married people from Alma College. So that
in itself is a constant reminder of the impact Alma College has had on
our lives.”
-mjs-
Posted: Tue, September 16th, 2008 at 1:01PM
