Homecoming Weekend 2004 set for Oct. 1-3

Tuesday, September 21, 2004

Goshen College Homecoming Weekend 2004 set for Oct. 1-3;
Music Gala, Peace Plays and Anna Montgomery concert highlight weekend

GOSHEN, Ind. — There is nothing like walking down college memory lane, or appreciating how an alma mater has grown and changed.

Goshen College alumni will have that opportunity during the 2004 Homecoming Weekend, Oct. 1-3 on the college campus, with opportunities to reminisce, as well as worship, sing, golf, attend sports, music and theater events, and listen to current professors give a mini-seminar on their current research.

Opening a weekend of Goshen College alumni returning to campus to reconnect will be a celebration of four exceptional alumni whose life work has carried out the college motto: the 2004 Culture for Service awardees. Among the awardees are a missionary couple in Argentina, a mediator and a plant pathologist.

The college will honor these alumni during a public convocation in the Church-Chapel at 10 a.m. Oct. 1 to kick-off the annual Homecoming Weekend. Pearl Hartz ’49, a restorative justice pioneer from southern California, will share her story during the convocation. With Hartz, honorees include Harold Kauffman ’61, a plant pathologist, and Raúl and Anita (Swartzentruber) García ’56.
Director of Alumni Relations Carla Weldy has been preparing for Homecoming Weekend all year long. “It is energizing to interact with the wonderful alumni of Goshen College, some of whom will travel thousands of miles to reunite with beloved former classmates and professors,” she said.

Other highlights during Homecoming Weekend include:

The annual Homecoming Music Gala, a special evening of GC choral and instrumental ensembles presenting an uplifting hour of music. – 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 1, Sauder Concert Hall. Tickets $5, can be purchased by calling 535-7565.
The GC Players will perform two One-Act Peace Plays in Umble Center at three scheduled curtain times – 7 p.m. Friday, 4 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. This is the world premiere of the winning one-act plays in the 2004 Goshen College Peace Play Contest. First place, “Enough” by Patricia Montley of Baltimore, Md. Second place, “In a Time of War” by Eric Diener Meyer of Goshen, Ind. Cost $3.
Young and old alike will enjoy the Anna Montgomery Band Coffeehouse at 9 p.m. in Rieth Recital Hall on Saturday. Montgomery, a 1996 graduate, has toured nationally since 2003 when she opened for Grammy-winning artist Shelby Lynne. Montgomery’s blend of jazz, pop and soul has been dubbed LA’s “best kept secret.” Cost $5.

Following is a schedule for Homecoming Weekend events. Reporters and photographers are welcome at any of the events.

Friday, Oct. 1

10 a.m. – Culture for Service Convocation, Church-Chapel
10:30 a.m. – Culture for Service Reception, Church Gathering Room
Noon – Golf Outing, Black Squirrel Golf Course, cost $55
6-8 p.m. – Judy Wenig-Horswell Sabbatical Art Exhibition Reception, Hershberger Art Gallery
7 p.m. – One-Act Peace Plays, Umble Center, all seats $3
2004 Goshen College Peace Play Contest winners: first place, “Enough” by Patricia Montley of Baltimore, Md.; second place, “In a Time of War” by Eric Diener Meyer of Goshen, Ind.
8 p.m. – Homecoming Music Gala, Sauder Concert Hall, cost $5
The concert features GC choral and instrumental ensembles.

Saturday, Oct. 2

7:45 a.m. – Fall Classic 3K Walk/5K Run, Gingerich Recreation-Fitness Center, cost $12 in advance or $15 on site
9 a.m. – Culture for Service Awards Ceremony, Church-Chapel
10 a.m. – Alumni and Varsity Tennis, tennis courts
10 a.m. – Alumni and Varsity Volleyball, Gingerich Recreation-Fitness Center
10:30-11:30 a.m. – “Back to the Classroom,” Music Center
Seminars led by professors on topics ranging from the Serengeti to science and religion to violence in the Bible and film.
1 p.m. – Homecoming Hymn Sing, Rieth Recital Hall
2 p.m. – Men’s Soccer vs. Moody Bible Institute, soccer fields
4 p.m. – One-Act Peace Plays, Umble Center, all seats $3
2004 Goshen College Peace Play Contest winners: first place, “Enough” by Patricia Montley of Baltimore, Md.; second place, “In a Time of War” by Eric Diener Meyer of Goshen, Ind.
5-7 p.m. – Homecoming Picnic, cost $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 4-10, free for children under four.
9 p.m. – Anna Montgomery Band Coffeehouse, Rieth Recital Hall, cost $5.

Sunday, Oct. 3

11 a.m. – Morning Song worship service, Rieth Recital Hall
2 p.m. – One-Act Peace Plays, Umble Center, all seats $3
2004 Goshen College Peace Play Contest winners: first place, “Enough” by Patricia Montley of Baltimore, Md.; second place, “In a Time of War” by Eric Diener Meyer of Goshen, Ind.

For more information, to order event tickets or to register, call the Alumni Office at (574) 535-7565.
Editors/photographers: Culture for Service winners will be available for photos at 9:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 1 in the Church Fellowship hallway. For more information, contact Jodi H. Beyeler at jodihb@goshen.edu or (574) 535-7572.

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