Students, faculty and family ambling around whilst proudly clad in maroon Eastern apparel is always a welcoming sight when homecoming occurs each fall. The sense of identity that people find in their college is reaffirmed upon returning to Eastern where they are greeted with an overwhelming sense of school pride. Homecoming is a wonderful way for alumni to come back to their college and reengage with their favorite professors, meet up with peers they have not seen for a few years or sit on the Kea-Guffin hill to cheer on Eastern’s soccer team. This event allows them to relive some of their memories from college as well as form new ones. When people visit their old schools, it evokes a unique feeling of nostalgia within them, which is one of the many reasons homecoming is such an important event. In addition, homecoming is wonderful because it allows families to come spend a day on Eastern’s campus, allowing them to get a taste of where their children live and learn while away at school.

     The tradition of homecoming has been celebrated for decades; from football games to parades, the convention holds great significance for many. Homecoming events differ from school to school, but their foundations remain the same. Here at Eastern, homecoming is celebrated with games for the fall sports teams, club fundraisers and alumni events. At this year’s homecoming celebration, many of Eastern’s clubs dedicated their time to raising money for their causes. The Waltonian staff sold “blind date books”: one could purchase a book based on a small description of the story, without knowing the title or author. The Math and Science Honor Society (Eastern’s branch of Sigma Zeta National Math and Science Honor Society) was stationed at a table selling homemade cold brew coffee, and the Eastern University nursing students sold an array of homemade baked goods. Other groups manning tables at this year’s homecoming included student chaplains, sports teams and dance majors, all working to connect with homecoming visitors. Eastern’s Student Activities Board brought a close to the night by hosting a dance for all current Eastern students in the gym.

     One of the most important aspects of homecoming every year is the returning of alumni to their alma mater, regardless of whether they graduated one year ago or 20 years ago. Eastern’s homecoming is especially meaningful due to its small size: the intimacy of it allows for a greater sense of community. Alumni are easily able to discuss new happenings within the clubs and organizations they used to be involved in, keeping them connected to their university even after they have left it. Not only is homecoming rewarding for the alumni who return, but it is beneficial for students to connect and speak with alumni from their areas of study to see possibilities for their futures. Professors are able to reconnect with their past students and see the wonderful things they are pursuing in their lives, both in the professional and personal realms. Homecoming offers many opportunities for bonding and reconnection, creating relationships between current and past students which helps lead to an all-around better community within Eastern.

     There are quite a few new and exciting things happening within Eastern’s astronomy department this semester. Steven Sanders is currently in charge of running planetarium shows, assisting students in the observatory and helping with a few physics labs. In addition, Sanders heads up marketing and public relations. When asked what made him want to work in the field of astronomy, Sanders says that he became interested in the subject at a young age upon receiving a book that combined mythology with astronomy.

     Besides the changes to the department’s staff, there are many other exciting things happening this semester. The team has already been able to conduct an impressive amount of research this year, and David Bradstreet recently released a book with Steve Rabey that engages readers in exploring the cosmos and the Creator behind it. Both the department’s research and Dr. Bradstreet’s book, “Star Struck: Seeing the Creator in the Wonders of Our Cosmos,” reach audiences beyond Eastern’s campus, allowing the department to enlighten people who otherwise may not be exposed to this material.

     This is also the first time that the astronomy department is offering a season of planetarium shows open to both students and the public. If you are interested in a unique and intriguing show about the wonders of the universe, be sure to stop by the Julia Fowler Planetarium to witness one of the shows.

     Tickets are only $5 for students with an ID. Head to euastronomy.com to check out upcoming showtimes!

     The Office for Talent and Career Development here at Eastern has recently added Joanna Craig to its staff. Dr. Craig works alongside Sarah Todd, meeting with students to discuss resumes, majors, career paths and internships. In addition, Craig consults with local employers to find job opportunities for students. Prior to working at Eastern, she attended Queens College of New York and earned her bachelor’s degree in political science. Shortly after, she attended Harvard Law School to receive her Juris Doctor and then worked as an attorney for four years. Craig was most recently the Assistant Director of Career Services at George Mason University School of Law.

     Craig was drawn to Eastern for many reasons, one of which was the fact that Eastern is a Christian university. She loves the idea of being able to incorporate faith into discussions with students about their futures. Craig also expresses an excitement about having the opportunity to work with students who are still unsure of their major and career path. Previously, Craig worked with students who were already confident in the career path they wanted to take, so having the chance to help students at Eastern discover their calling is very exciting for her.

     Regarding her time as an attorney, Craig says, “There were definitely parts of the job that were really exciting…but it wasn’t a job that I felt was using my talents in the best way, and therefore I didn’t feel fulfilled doing it.”

     Craig shares that her favorite part about the work she does is engaging with students and getting to know them. She is extremely passionate about helping students find their talents and callings and explains that she loves when she talks with a student and he or she has that “aha!” moment. Those moments reassure her that this is what she loves to do.

     Craig shares that her favorite part about Eastern so far is most definitely the people. She says that working with Sarah Todd is awesome and that students and faculty have all been so welcoming.

     Craig says, “Eastern students are so positive, and I can see how much passion they have for wanting to serve the community and serve others,” which has added greatly to her positive experience thus far at Eastern.

     Dedicating time and energy even on days when it is rainy and cold, the YACHT Club travels into Philadelphia every Thursday and Saturday to help show love in areas of injustice. YACHT, which stands for Youth Against Complacency and Homelessness Today, works to help people in the city by doing as much as they can to provide food and companionship to those in need.

     The club frequently asks themselves as a group how they can provide more assistance to those in need and challenge themselves to do more. JC Garges, one of the group’s four leaders, says that he was drawn to this form of service because it is such a personable ministry that allows him to meet and interact with people in the city. He explains that it is an incredible experience to be able to learn the names of the people that YACHT serves and build relationships with many faces he sees week after week. One memory that stands out for Garges is a touching letter the group received from a friend in the city who spoke only Chinese. The five-page letter from their friend had to be translated, as it was written completely in Chinese, but once they were able to read his words, they were incredibly moved by the appreciation expressed in its pages. Garges also mentions that it is an uplifting experience to see familiar faces whenever they go into the city, building relationships with these people and discussing their lives with them.

     One of Garges’ favorite parts about YACHT is the support it elicits right here on Eastern’s campus. He explains that he loves seeing new faces each week at their meetings; whether the students are fulfilling their service learning requirement or attending out of pure interest in the club, they really help the club do bigger and better things. In addition to attending meetings, many students donate one meal swipe per week to donate food to the club. The group receives food donations from Le Pain Quotidien in Wayne and Sodexo to help make sandwiches and lunches to distribute. With the donated supplies, YACHT is able to create about 50 lunches on Thursdays and 30 lunches on Saturdays that they then distribute in the city.

     Before they depart to deliver the lunches, the group circles up and prays together. Once in Philadelphia, the group distributes meals at Logan Circle to anyone who needs one, sometimes joining with another volunteer group that distributes hot meals. After they give people food, members of YACHT converse with them, learning names and stories while forming relationships with them. They talk about anything from religion to the Phillies, allowing them to create connections with people they otherwise may have never known. The service that YACHT provides assists so many people, and the compassionate students involved with it help fight injustices in the area every week.

     When one reads, she opens the door to knowledge, enjoyment and comprehension. Reading allows people to learn things about the world, both tangible and abstract, that they may not be exposed to otherwise. Books allow us to learn, to feel understood and to feel as if we have been transported into a world within the aging pages of a novel. Books give us wisdom regarding human nature and demonstrate how the human condition can be improved; through introspection and the reassessment of their values, people’s perspectives can change significantly after they connect deeply with someone else’s words. Books instill hope within people, allowing them to see brighter alternatives to the future; they teach us even when we are ignorant of what we need to learn. Knowing the importance of learning, many professors at Eastern graciously offer suggestions of books they recommend their students read this year.

     David Bradstreet, professor and chair of the astronomy department, recommends that students read “Star Struck: Seeing the Creator in the Wonders of Our Cosmos,” the book he wrote with Steve Rabey. In this book, readers can be enlightened on the topic of our cosmos and the Creator responsible for them.

     “The Relationship Cure: A Five-Step Guide to Strengthening Your Marriage, Family and Friendships” by John Gottman and “The Resilience Factor: Seven Keys to Finding Your Inner Strength and Overcoming Life’s Hurdles” were both recommended by Julie Morgan, professor of communication studies.

     Joseph Modica, University Chaplain, recommends “You Are What You Love: The Spiritual Power of Habit” by James K. A. Smith, a book that is currently being studied by those in the Seminar in Campus Ministry course here at Eastern.

     Kathryn Hastings, assistant professor in the education department, recommends “Between the World and Me” by Ta-Nehisi Coates. Also from the education department, Nicole McKeown recommends “The First Days of School: How to Be an Effective Teacher” by Harry Wong.

     “Gilead” by Marilyn Robinson was recommended by Phillip Cary, professor and director of the philosophy program.

     Christopher Bittenbender, professor and co-chair of the English department, recommends “To the Lighthouse” by Virginia Woolf, a breathtaking novel that explores such themes as time and identity. Colleen Willenbring, assistant professor and co-chair of the English department, recommends “Robinson Crusoe” by Daniel Defoe as a classic fiction piece and “Eat Like You Care” by Gary Francione and Anna Charlton, a nonfiction piece that “explores the morality of eating animals.” In addition, Dr. Willenbring also suggests Jim Crace’s “Quarantine.” Rebecca Gidjunis recommends “Citizen: An American Lyric” by Claudia Rankine, which explores microaggressions against African-Americans while grappling with a myriad of other racial issues. William Storm suggests that students read Kazuo Ishiguro’s “Never Let Me Go.” He describes the novel as one that “forces us, in essence, to confront what occurs when we divorce ourselves from the reality of life, when we choose to view individuals as commodities or objects, not actual beings who feel or love.” Dr. Storm says that “Never Let Me Go” is especially relevant to college students because college is the time to “be fully immersed in lives outside of our own.”

     Hopefully every reader can take something away from a book recommended by a faculty member. Support your local library and pick up one of these faculty recommendations today!