Central Methodist University is revving up for its 2018 Homecoming festivities, which are planned over the course of three days – sure to please the many CMU Eagle supporters and fans that will flock to town for the excitement taking place Sept. 28-30.
This year’s theme is “Out Of This World,” with most events being held at CMU’s main campus and around the Howard County Courthouse Square.
To kick the celebration off, a concert will be held in Linn Memorial United Methodist Church on Thursday, Sept. 27. Rockland Road – formerly known as Martin Family Circus – will perform at 7 p.m. It is free of charge and a family-friendly event.
Jessica Stedman Guff has been chosen as this year’s Grand Marshal of Homecoming. She is the daughter of CMU 1935 alumnus Samuel Stedman, who gave Central a $1 million gift in the early 1960s to fully fund the construction of Stedman Hall of Science – which recently underwent the largest renovation in CMU history.
In support, Guff and her family generously matched the original gift made by her father, and will be in attendance at Stedman Hall’s rededication ceremony on Saturday.
Guff earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in European History from Harvard University, and enjoyed a successful career as a television producer in New York.
Highlighting Central’s Homecoming festivities will be a Friday night All Alumni Social, with food and live music; the Saturday Homecoming Parade; and the football game at Davis Field between the CMU Eagles and Graceland.
Full list of activities:
Thursday, September 27
7 p.m. Rockland Road Concert, Linn United Methodist Church
Friday, September 28
9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Registration kiosk, coffee & donuts, Classic Hall Lobby; Also: Drop off gently used, professional clothing for the CMU Career Center to provide to students for job interviews
9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Alumni College, where CMU professors open their classes for alumni to join
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. 25th Anniversary Show of Ashby-Hodge Gallery of American Art open, Classic Hall
12:30 p.m. Central Museum of History Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting, T. Berry Smith Hall
5 p.m. CMU Hall of Sponsors, Unveiling of four new HOS Scholarships, South Porch Brannock
5 p.m. - 8 p.m. All Alumni Social with food and live music, Courthouse Lawn
7 p.m. Pep Rally, Fayette Square
8 p.m. Sixth Annual Green & GOLD Party: Official “Young” Alumni Party, Miknan’s
Saturday, September 29
8 - 10 a.m. Registration & Alumni Association Pancake Breakfast, Bandstand on the Fayette Square / Complimentary class pictures (decades are on the 8’s and 3’s), Courthouse Steps (1963 & 2013 - 8:30 a.m.; 1968 & 2008 - 8:40 a.m.; 1973 & 2003 - 8:50 a.m.; 1978 & 1998 - 9:00 a.m.; 1983 & 1993 - 9:10 a.m., 1988 - 9:20 a.m.)
8:30 a.m. Class of 1958 – 60th Anniversary Reunion Tea, Givens Hall – Class photo taken here
9 a.m. Parade Check-in, Rec. Center Parking Lot
10 a.m. Homecoming Parade – “Out of this World,” Fayette Square / 75th Anniversary of V12 program, Vets are invited to ride in parade (100th anniversary end of WWI)
10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Reunion Luncheon in Bergsten Dining Hall (sit with your class/year decade)
11 a.m. Stedman Hall of Science Ribbon Cutting & Reception, Front Entrance of Stedman (followed by Stedman tours until 2 p.m.)
11 a.m. - 4 p.m. 25th Anniversary Show of Ashby-Hodge Gallery of American Art open, tours at 1, 2 and 3, Classic Hall
12 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. Alumni Tent at Eagle Tailgate Zone, Parking lot adjacent to Davis Field
2 p.m. - Eagle Football vs. Graceland, Davis Field
6 p.m. Women’s Soccer Match, Davis Field
7 p.m. - 9 p.m. AASU Reception, Miknan’s
8:30 p.m., Men’s Soccer Match, Davis Field
Sunday, September 30
10:30 a.m. Service, Linn Memorial (All Choir Alumni are invited to join the choir in singing “Beautiful Savior”) (50th Anniversary of creation of the United Methodist Church, 90th Anniversary of the building of Linn Memorial and Tower)
11 a.m. Brunch, Bergsten Dining Hall
1:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. Ashby-Hodge Gallery of American Art open, Classic Hall
Registrations may be made in advance at www.cmuhomecoming.org or by emailing advance@centralmethodist.edu.
The Eagle Bookstore will be selling CMU merchandise on the Town Square from 5 - 7:30 p.m. on Friday, on Saturday from 10:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. at the store’s location on the second floor of Inman Student and Community Center, and also will sell merchandise at Davis Field from 1 p.m. through halftime of the game (weather permitting).