Reinhardt Announces Homecoming Activities

Reinhardt University students, faculty and staff are inviting alumni, parents and friends to take part in an exciting week of Homecoming activities.

The majority of the community-focused events are Friday through Sunday, Oct. 23-24, and include an event honoring local community leader and Reinhardt alumna JoEllen Wilson, a talent show, a football game complete with fan activities, tailgating and reunions and a free concert.

Schedule details are available online at www.Reinhardt.edu/homecoming. President Dr. Kina S. Mallard said she’s looking forward to welcoming visitors to the Waleska campus.

“Homecoming 2015 at Reinhardt will be a great time to visit and strengthen your ties with your university,” Mallard said. “Whether you are an alumnus, a parent of a current student, a community member, a student or a faculty or staff member, I hope you’ll take part in all that is offered as Reinhardt opens its doors to welcome you to our beautiful campus.”

Community members are invited to celebrate the dedication of the JoEllen Bell Wilson ’61 Office of Advancement from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23; program to be held at 4 p.m. The office is in the former bank building directly west of the Waleska post office.

Earlier this year, Reinhardt’s Board Chair Billy Hasty announced that the Trustees had approved naming the Advancement Office in Wilson’s honor.

“The JoEllen Bell Wilson Office of Advancement is a wonderful recognition of the impact JoEllen made on her alma mater,” Mallard added. “Over her 34-year career with Reinhardt, she played a significant role in the University’s most successful alumni and fund raising activities. We are privileged to have on our campus a physical reminder of JoEllen’s friendship and loyalty.”

Homecoming football game festivities will also be popular with alumni and the community. Activities on Saturday, Oct. 24, will begin at 9 a.m. with tailgating and at 9:30 a.m. with Eagle Flight. A new Reinhardt game day tradition, Eagle Flight gives students, alumni, parents and friends an opportunity to show their Eagles pride by wearing Reinhardt blue and gold and cheering on the team, cheerleaders, marching band and mascots on the march to the stadium.

“Eagle Flight is an exciting new activity we’ve added this year,” said Dr. Walter P. May, assistant dean of students and director of student activities. “We want to show the spirit and the pride we have for Reinhardt. We also want to help the team and everyone to get fired up for the big game. Don’t forget to ‘Gold Out’ the game! RU fans are encouraged to wear gold to show their Eagle Pride.”

The Homecoming Ultimate Tailgate Experience in the Rollins Wellness Complex parking lot will continue through noon and include food, music, inflatable attractions and activities hosted by student organizations. The Waffle House Food Truck will provide free breakfast.

Kathy Bouyett, Reinhardt’s director of alumni relations and giving, is encouraging Reinhardt alumni to look for the alumni tailgate area and the Alumni tent inside the stadium. For a small donation, fans can pick up a Reinhardt Gold Out T-shirt, logo sunglasses and more.

In addition, the Class of 1990 will be celebrating its Silver Anniversary with a private tailgating luncheon compliments of the Alumni Office. Class of ’90 members in attendance will also receive a silver anniversary medallion commemorating the occasion.

The football game versus the Lindsey Wilson Raiders is sure to be exciting as both teams are highly ranked; Lindsey Wilson is #1 in the nation, and Reinhardt is #8. Ticket information is available at www.reinhardt.edu/tickets. During halftime, the Homecoming Court will be presented, the Homecoming Queen and King will be crowned, and Class of ’90 members will be recognized. The day will end with the students’ homecoming dance in the Bannister Glasshouse.

Other events of interest to the community are also taking place during the week.

In recognition of October as Breast Cancer Awareness month, the women’s volleyball match against Dalton State College on Mon., Oct. 19 will be a “Pink Out.” Reinhardt’s team will be in pink, and fans are encouraged to also wear pink. The match begins at 4 p.m. in the Brown Athletic Center. Ticket are $5 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under.

Blue and gold are again the favorite attire for the Tuesday, Oct. 20 men’s soccer game versus Talladega College at 3 p.m. and the Wednesday, Oct. 21 women’s soccer game with Columbia (South Carolina) College at 2 p.m. Both games will be played on the Ken White Field; ticket prices are listed above.

The annual Student Talent Show will be held at the Falany Performing Arts Center on Friday, Oct. 23, beginning at 7 p.m. The 11 acts include singers, guitarists, pianists, a magician, dancers and a rapper. Because seating is on a first come, first serve basis for this free event, audience members are encouraged to arrive early.

The Sunday, Oct. 25 events include soccer games versus Montreat College; the Lady Eagles will play at 1 p.m. and the Eagles at 3:15 p.m., both on the Ken White Field. Ticket pricing is above. In addition, the fall faculty recital by the School of Performing Arts will begin at 3:15 p.m. in the Falany Performing Arts Center. These musicians perform locally, nationally and internationally so please make plans to attend this free event.

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Photo credit: Reinhardt University