Huge crowds of Eagle fans and supporters flocked to Central Methodist University’s campus over the weekend for its annual Homecoming festivities.
Some of the major events that kicked off the weekend included a free Rockland Road concert on Thursday night, and Friday’s Central Museum of History grand opening, the unveiling of four new Hall of Sponsors scholarships, and an Alumni Social and Pep Rally.
The Hall of Sponsors scholarships introduced were the Mr. and Mrs. Alan Brueggemann – Class of 1959 Hall of Sponsors Scholarship, with the announcement that the recipient is Dorothy Powell, a freshman marine biology major from Leawood, Kan.; the Hart-Shelton Family Hall of Sponsors Scholarship, with the announcement that the recipient is Alexander Ayala, a freshman biology major from Pharr, Texas;
the Robert and Donna Puyear Hall of Sponsors Scholarship, with the announcement that the recipient is Hannah Mitchell, a freshman exercise science major from Paris; and the Rev. J.K. and Fern Wright Presidential Hall of Sponsors Scholarship, with the announcement that the recipient is Sydney Philpot, a junior athletic training major from Joplin.
Of course, many of the main events took place on Saturday, including a parade around Fayette’s downtown Courthouse Square, which featured CMU’s Marching Eagles Band, the Alumni Band and Eaglettes, and floats designed by various campus fraternities, sororities, and organizations. Sigma Pi Alpha was the winner of Spirit Week, as announced at the football game.
Also drawing a lot attention were Stedman Hall of Science’s ribbon cutting, reception, and tours. There were few dry eyes in the audience as this year’s Homecoming Grand Marshal, Jessica Stedman Guff, delivered a speech about what Central and Stedman Hall meant to her. 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 the science building.
The stands were absolutely packed for the football game between the CMU Eagles and Graceland, which kicked off at 2 p.m. Central dominated Graceland 61-35. It was the first time in nearly a decade that CMU’s football team won its Homecoming game, Family Weekend game, and Hall of Fame game – three major home games of the season.
During halftime, the Homecoming Court was presented and the 2018 King, Queen, Prince, and Princess were crowned by last year’s Queen, Liz Novak from Galt, and King, Adrian Sias from Wichita Falls, Texas.
Peyton Bowman, a marine biology major from Hallsville, was announced as this year’s Homecoming Queen, and Malik Hughes, a vocal performance major from St. Joseph was crowned King.
From the underclasses, the Princess was Bethany DuCharme, an early childhood education major from Columbia, and the Prince was Shadrach Alexander, an exercise science major from Port Saint Lucie, Fla.
Others in the Court were seniors Myriah Araiza, a theatre education major from Columbia, and Kyle Popkes, a business marketing and advertising major from Paris; Madison Chisholm, an athletic training major from Sturgeon, and Alex Black, a banking and finance major from Clarksville;
Solana Romo, a psychology major from Kansas City, Mo., and Jamie Saah, a psychology and criminal justice double major from Wellington, Fla; Lauren Payne, a biology major from Dearborn, and Tyler Unterreiner, a sports management major from Perryville; and Holly Burke, a business marketing major from Marceline, and Isaac Bartholomew, an education and music education double major from Fayette.
The crown bearers were Hayden Dixon and Lucy Jacobs. Hayden is the son of Dean of Students Brad Dixon and wife Natalie, and Lucy is the daughter of Vice President of Advancement and Alumni Relations Josh Jacobs and wife Sarah.
Some of the major events that kicked off the weekend included a free Rockland Road concert on Thursday night, and Friday’s Central Museum of History grand opening, the unveiling of four new Hall of Sponsors scholarships, and an Alumni Social and Pep Rally.
about what Central and Stedman Hall meant to her. 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 the science building.