Bluefield College will celebrate Homecoming and Family Weekend 2018, November 2-4, featuring special reunions, a career seminar, an auction, dinner theatre, dancing, campus tours, a photo contest, alumni awards, tailgating, football and worship for former students, current students, families and the community at-large.
The traditional three-day fall celebration will start with a Ram-2-Ram Alumni Career Seminar, Friday, November 2 at 10 a.m., featuring Bluefield College grads from various fields returning to campus to share their professional experiences and wisdom with current BC students. In addition to advice about careers, the former students will talk about internships, Christianity in the work place, fulfilling a calling, and other key topics for employment and career success.
“The Ram-2-Ram Alumni Career Seminar will give current students the opportunity to listen, ask questions, network, and make valuable connections with former students that will benefit them as they approach graduation,” said BC’s Josh Grubb, director of development and alumni relations.
Following a luncheon for all alumni, families and friends at noon on Friday, the college will host a Golden Graduate Society induction ceremony at 4:30 p.m. for members of the class of 1968 and beyond. Created in 2009, the prestigious Golden Graduate Society is designed to honor and preserve the legacy of alumni from the Golden Anniversary era.
“We are excited to welcome the class of 1968 back on campus,” said Grubb. “This is one of the hallmark events of the weekend that gives us the opportunity to recognize new members of our Golden Graduate Society and celebrate their 50th reunion.”
More than 50 guests have already made plans to attend this year’s Golden Graduate Reception, which will include dinner theatre following the induction ceremony.
“On Friday and Saturday, Harman Chapel Auditorium will be transformed into a dinner-theatre setting for BC Theatre’s presentation of Nunsense,” said Grubb. “There are seats still available, so purchase a ticket now because this is a very popular event for the weekend.”
Day one will conclude with the traditional Homecoming Dance at 9 p.m., featuring music, dancing and the recognition of the 2018 Homecoming Court.
Day two, Saturday, November 3, will begin at 8 a.m. with a BC Community Breakfast for all members of the Bluefield College family, followed by campus tours at 9 a.m. and the Annual Meeting of the Alumni Association at 10:30 a.m. where alumni will elect officers and recognize service to the Association’s Board of Directors.
One of the marquee events of day two will be the Alumni Awards Luncheon at noon where eight distinguished Bluefield College grads will be recognized for their success, service and support of the BC vision and mission, including Mrs. Julie Hull Johnson (‘88), who will inducted into the Hall of Distinguished Graduates; Rebecca Bentley Hall (’86), who will posthumously receive the Alumna of the Year Award; Amber MacDonald (‘12), who will receive the Young Alumna of the Year Award; McIntyre “Dick” Louthan, Jr., who will receive the Honorary Alumnus Award; Rev. Danny Collins (’67), who will receive the Primitivo Delgado Christian Service Award; Cathy Corte Payne (’92), who will receive the Volunteer of the Year Award; and Shawn Jenkins (’92) and Jerome “Rome” Brown (‘88), who will be inducted into the BC Athletic Hall of Fame.
A #new2BC Photo Contest Gala will follow the Alumni Awards Luncheon at 2 p.m. New BC students transitioning to campus this past August were invited to capture their experiences with photos. Those photos will be on display during Homecoming, and the most outstanding pics and their photographers recognized during the #new2BC Photo Contest Gala.
Homecoming guests and football fans are invited to take part in an afternoon of tailgating prior to the start of the Rams Homecoming football game at Mitchell Stadium. If you’re serious about your tailgating, be sure to compete in the Sixth Annual Tailgate Challenge. Participants are encouraged to register for the Tailgate Challenge prior to Homecoming weekend by visiting the BC website at bluefield.edu/tailgate. In addition to the coveted Tailgate Champion banner, prizes will be awarded to the top three tailgaters. If you’d rather eat dinner indoors, head over to Shott Hall at 5 p.m. for dinner.
The BC football team battles the University of Pikeville at 6 p.m. under the lights at Mitchell Stadium. The Rams have already secured three wins this season and are hoping to add another victory to their record in front of the Homecoming crowd. At halftime of the football game, the 2018 Homecoming Queen, King and Court will be recognized.
Day two will conclude with a second night of Nunsense and BC Dinner Theatre at 6:30 p.m., along with a bonfire hosted by Highlands Fellowship at approximately 9 p.m. The final day, Sunday, November 4, will include worship with Highlands Fellowship in Harman Chapel at 9:30 and 11 a.m. and a special Sunday lunch following worship in the BC dining hall.
The weekend will also include a Silent Auction for Scholarships throughout the day both Friday and Saturday. The auction will feature vacations, entertainment and amusement packages, tickets to sporting events and fine arts shows, outdoor excursions, sports memorabilia, furniture, arts and crafts, restaurant giveaways, retail gifts, and other quality merchandise, all up for bid to raise funds for student scholarships. Check out the items at bluefield.edu/scholarship-auction.
“We are so excited to welcome back alumni, families, and friends for Homecoming and Family Weekend,” said Grubb. “The Homecoming Committee has spent months planning an action-packed weekend that is filled with opportunities to catch-up with friends, eat great food, see how God is working on campus through our students, faculty and staff.”
For more information or to register for events, visit bluefield.edu/homecoming or contact Grubb via email at [email protected] or by phone at 276-326-4208.