Welcome Home, Eastern!

On Oct. 12, many Eastern alumnx, parents, and current students gathered on campus to attend Homecoming, a weekend filled with dancing, fundraising and celebrating.

During the week of Oct. 6, Eastern graduates and current students gathered to celebrate the homecoming of the alumnx. To start off the festivities, the weekly chapel on Wednesday was homecoming themed with alumnx, Ruth Gilson Fox ‘78, Mar ‘84, taking the lead. For 18 years along with her husband, were missionaries in Thailand. Ruth is now the Regional Consultant for Education to Southeast Asia, India, China and Japan, showcasing just one example of what past Eastern graduates are up to today. 

Later in the week on Friday Oct. 11, The St. Davids Golf Club inducted new members, while there was also an Eastern Arts showcase, which is one of the more popular events for Homecoming, which featured spectacular performances by Music, Dance, and Theater students, alumnx, and faculty. 

To start off the weekend, there was an alumnx reunion brunch to honor the Alumna of the Year, Barbara Burger ‘71, and the Distinguished Young Alumnus of the Year, Jonas Dorsett ‘16. There was also a Fab 50+ Reunion for alumnx from the 1950’s and 60’s. All these events led up to the Homecoming Fall Festival, where Over 20 student organizations set up a variety of booths. 

Some included food and baked goods, while others offered merchandise. It was also family friendly, including a moon bounce and games. The Eagle mascot, Beaker, was also found flying around for cute and funny pictures. This festival allowed for alumnx to support the current student organizations through donations and sales that were and currently still on campus, allowing them to take a fun trip down memory lane. Some notable tables included the Encatus table with Chick-Fil-A, Refuge selling club shirts, as well as a table selling jewelry for and by Black artists. The funds raised will help support the clubs for the remainder of the year and into the spring semester. 

Along with the festival, some sports games were happening during the same time, allowing home goers to enjoy a field hockey game VS. Kings, a women’s soccer game VS. DeSales and the men’s soccer game VS. DeSales. While the event was lively to some extent, the festivities seemed to have less attendance than previous years, probably due to Fall Free Days which occurred the following weekend, lessening the amount of attendance for parents who currently have students enrolled. 

Overall, Homecoming was a success, attracting alumnx from far and wide, who all came to celebrate one shared experience: their unforgettable time spent at Eastern University, that undoubtedly shaped who they are today, and what they still hope to become.