Alumni, family, and friends of Central Methodist University are invited and encouraged to return to Fayette for Homecoming Weekend from October 30 to November 1. A full weekend of events are planned, with something on the schedule for everyone.
Prior to the official Homecoming events, Central will break ground on the future home of CMU soccer, Alexander Field, on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. The official Eagle Pride Groundbreaking will be an opportunity to celebrate with the board of trustees as Central enters a new chapter of Eagle Athletics.
Highlighting the Friday events will be the Homecoming Kickoff Celebration, starting at 5:30 p.m. on the fourth floor of the Inman Student and Community Center. Alumni are encouraged to come and enjoy an open bar, heavy appetizers, and lots of great company, all for a $20 ticket to the event.
Friday night will also feature ghost tours of some of CMU’s most haunted sites, beginning at 8 p.m. in the Student Center rotunda. Hosted by alumnus Parker Johnson ’17 and Rev. Bill O’Neal, the tour is a perfect Halloween Eve activity for anyone interested in the paranormal.
At 7 p.m., the Eagle volleyball team will take on Missouri Baptist in Puckett Fieldhouse.
On Saturday morning, the annual Homecoming Parade will begin at 10 a.m. on the Fayette Square, with Don Bagby ’79 and Gary Bagby ’69 serving as the grand marshals. Tailgate lots at Davis Field will open at 11 a.m., ahead of the football game against Missouri Baptist at 1 p.m. Several fraternities, sororities, and alumni classes have events planned for the tailgate; find details at www.centralalumnievents.com.
Other events following the parade include the dedication of Dale Chihuly’s “Rotolo 75,” gifted by the Inman Family, at the Ashby Hodge Gallery of American Art. Delta Pi Omega will also hold tea in Linn Memorial UMC, and the class of 1966 will gather in Assembly Hall with a class picture to be taken at 11:30.
Women’s and men’s soccer will take on Mount Mercy at 5 and 7:30 p.m., respectively, at Davis Field to round out the day of activities.
Homecoming Weekend will wind down on Sunday, with worship at Linn Memorial beginning at 10:30 a.m. and the Alumni Awards Brunch following at 11:45 in the Student Center. The Sunday service will gather alumni and friends for remembrance and hope, acknowledging and honoring those who have died. A candlelight memorial will be open in the church throughout Homecoming Weekend as well.
In addition to the special events each day, a number of attractions and services will be open throughout the weekend, including special hours for the Eagle Store, the Central Museum of History, and the Ashby-Hodge Gallery. Details on those hours and even more activities, as well as ticket and registration for a number of events, can be found at www.centralalumnievents.com.