Homecoming Weekend 2021 Schedule
Events are free and open to everyone unless otherwise noted. Events, times and locations are subject to change. The most up-to-date information can be found below.
At this time, masks are required for all indoor events.
Thursday, September 30
4 – 5 p.m.
Homecoming Alumni Meetup, Leadership Hub, North end of the Union Building
We will feature Arvis Dawson ’76, a member of the GC Alumni Council, will share his vocational journey with current students and those attending Homecoming 2021.
Friday, October 1
9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Homecoming High School Visit Day (for high school-age children of alumni and siblings of current students), Welcome Center, Union Building
Attend classes, tour campus, interact with a student panel of current students and stay overnight in a residence hall (optional). Registration required at goshen.edu/visit.
9:30 – 9:45 a.m.
Meet and greet for prospective students, grandparents, parents and siblings of current students, Welcome Center, Union Building
Registration required at goshen.edu/visit.
10 a.m.
Homecoming Convocation, Church-Chapel
This special convocation will feature 2021 alumni award recipients.
Culture for Service Award
Shashi Buluswar ’90, Oakland, California
Franklin Baer ’72, Harrisonburg, Virginia
Young Alumni Servant Leadership Award
Paul ’08 and Rebecca Shetler Fast ’08, Goshen, Indiana
Champions of Character Award
Krysten Parson ’02, Goshen, Indiana
Todd Woodworth ’78, Goshen, Indiana
10:45 a.m.
Reception for Alumni Award Recipients, Church-Chapel, Fellowship Hall
11 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.
Lunch, Westlawn Dining Hall
Leaf Raker Cafe is also open until 3:30 p.m. in the Union Building.
12 – 1 p.m.
Student Music Recitals, Music Center, Rieth Recital Hall
1 p.m.
Alumni and Family Bicycle Ride, Meet at Schrock Plaza fountain
Ride Goshen’s Pumpkinvine Bike Trail with other alumni, friends and families. Choose rides from a few miles to up to 35 miles. Groups will form going different speeds and distances. The ride will be led by Joe Liechty `78, professor emeritus of peace studies, and Kevin Miller `85, major gift officer . Registration encouraged.
1 – 5 p.m.
Attend Class
Parents and grandparents may choose to attend a class with your student during this time. As a courtesy to professors and to ensure there is room for visitors, your student should speak with the professor about your classroom visit ahead of time or you can connect with the Admissions Office to see a list of available classes.
1 – 3:30 p.m.
Campus Tours, Welcome Center
New to campus or just want to see what has changed? 40-minute tours leave the Welcome Center at 1, 2 and 3 p.m.
Need a lift? Request a golf cart ride on the registration form.
Registration encouraged.
2 p.m.
Remembrance of Mary Linton, Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center
Join the staff of Merry Lea as they remember the impact of professor of biology emerita, Mary Linton on Merry Lea. This event will include the dedication of the newly named “Linton Swamp” and will announce the launch of a new annual summer research scholar award focused on wetland ecology. You can register for this event here.
2 – 5 p.m.
Road Trip to Goshen College’s Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center, Welcome Center, South end of the Union Building
Ride in a GC bus to Merry Lea, tour the facilities and learn more about the amazing programs that are part of this GC gem. Presentation by Merry Lea staff will focus on sustainable foods grown on the Merry Lea Farm. Bus will leave from the Welcome Center at 2 p.m. and return by 5 p.m. Registration required. Limited space.
2 – 3 p.m.
Financing College, Union Building, Room 111
Members of the Financial Aid Office will talk about financial aid and how to best plan and save for your child or grandchild’s college education. This in an excellent opportunity for anyone planning to send a child to any college.
3:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Tour of Goshen Printmakers Guild, 213 S. Main Street, Goshen
All are welcome to join this trip downtown to meet the owners of Goshen’s new Printmakers Guild. Learn about their old-school presses and other equipment, and see the English Department’s Vandercook press in action! As time allows, attendees will be able to print simple designs of their own. More info here. A GC van will leave the North end of Newcomer Center at 3:30 p.m. or you can meet the group downtown.
3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Special Faculty & Student Presentations
Choose from the following options:
Nyai Oyer Gamelan Demonstration
Union building, Gamelan Room
Marcia Yost, director of the arts
Come learn about our Indonesian gamelan. This beautiful set of instruments was gifted to the college in memory of Duane Gingerich ’69 and in honor of Dr. Mary Oyer ’45. Come learn more about the journey that brought this gift to Goshen, the instruments, and GC’s plans for it. You will even have a chance to play it.
Tour of the New Center for Communication Studies
Meet at the north end of the Newcomer Center
Jason Samuel, WGCS general manager and assistant professor of communication, and communication student leaders will guide you through the new center.
Maple Scholars Update
Science Building, Room 107
Come hear faculty and students talk about their summer research projects from GC’s iconic Maple Scholars program.
5 – 7:30 p.m.
Class of 1971 – 50th Anniversary Dinner, Greencroft Community Center
Cost: $25, Registration required
Celebrate 50 golden years! This is a chance to connect with your classmates over dinner and a short program. President Stoltzfus will be there to welcome you.
5 – 6:30 p.m.
Dinner, Westlawn Dining Hall
5 – 10 p.m.
Goshen First Friday, Downtown Goshen
Stroll the streets of Downtown Goshen and visit shops, restaurants and art galleries at this monthly celebration of all that is good about Goshen. The evening will include a GC Jazz ensemble in the Lobby of the Goshen Theater and a concert by Girl Named Tom, featuring siblings Caleb ’18, Joshua ’19 and Bekah Liechty from Archbold, Ohio. Details
below.
6:30 p.m.
Lavender Jazz Ensemble, Goshen Theater Lobby, Downtown Goshen
Come grab a drink and hear an ensemble from GC’s Lavender Jazz group. They will play in the lobby of the newly renovated downtown Goshen Theater.
7 p.m. (new time)
Peace Play, “Heavenly Light,” Umble Center
Cost: $6
This year the Theater Department will feature the 2020 Peace Play contest winner, “Heavenly Light” by Barbara Lindsay. Ticket window will open at 6 p.m. for ticket purchase or will call. Visit goshen.edu/tickets.
8:30 p.m.
Concert: Girl Named Tom, Music Center, Sauder Concert Hall
Cost: $15 | Purchase tickets at goshen.edu/tickets
Musical sibling trio featuring Caleb ’18, Joshua ’19 and Bekah Liechty from Archbold, Ohio and recently featured on NBC’s The Voice.
Saturday, October 2
8 – 9:30 a.m.
Alumni and Family Breakfast
(This event has been cancelled for this year)
9:30 – 11:45 a.m.
Free Time
Opportunity for parents and grandparents to spend time with your college student. The Leaf Raker Cafe will open at 10 a.m. if you would like to meet for drinks or snacks.
9:30 – 11:45 a.m.
Preschool Childcare (3-5 yrs.)
(This option has been cancelled for this year)
9:30 – 11:45 a.m.
K-6th Grade Activities
(This option has been cancelled for this year)
9:30 – 11:45 a.m.
Games, Food & Hang out: Middle and High School Students, Union Building, Leaf Raker Cafe
Admissions staff and students will meet you for a time to hang out and play board and card games. You can also order some breakfast food and a drink from the cafe. An optional campus tour will be offered at 10:30 a.m. Registration encouraged.
9:45 – 11:45 a.m.
Alumni Class Reunions
Water will be provided.
• 65th – Class of 1956 and older – Church-Chapel, Room 110
• 60th – Class of 1961 – Church-Chapel, Koinonia Room
• 55th – Class of 1966 – Church-Chapel, Room 112
• 51st – Class of 1970 – Church-Chapel, Room 108
• 50th – Class of 1971 – Church-Chapel, North Fellowship Hall
• 45th – Class of 1976 – Newcomer Center, Room 19
• 40th – Class of 1981 – Church-Chapel, Rooms 141-42
• 35th – Class of 1986 – Church-Chapel, Rooms 143-44
• 30th – Class of 1991 – Music Center, Room 150
• 25th – Class of 1996 – Music Center, Room 153
• 20th – Class of 2001 – Music Center, Room 110
• 10th – Class of 2011 – Newcomer Center, Room 17
We will not be holding 5th or 15th year class reunions (classes of 2016 and 2006) in 2021.
10:30 a.m.
Campus Tours, Welcome Center
11 a.m.
Intersquad Men’s Basketball Game, Rec-Fitness Center, Gunden Gymnasium
12 p.m.
Food Trucks, parking pot on the east side of the Rec-Fitness Center
Enjoy lunch from local food trucks (Mexican, Indian and Italian). No registration required, food can be purchased directly from the vendors. Mark Daniels ’00 will be available in the RFC lobby to draw caricatures for children and youth.
12 – 1 p.m.
Champions of Character Reception, Church-Chapel, north end of Fellowship Hall
2021 Champions of Character alumni award recipients. Lunch can be purchased from the food trucks outside the RFC, before or after the reception.
1 – 3 p.m.
Ultimate Frisbee Tournament, field north of the Rec-Fitness Center
Join members of the GC Ultimate Club for a fun game of Ultimate Frisbee.
1 – 2 p.m.
Biological Sciences Reception – “New Initiatives” Science 107
Attendees will hear about new building and renovation plans at the J.N. Roth Marine Research Center, the new Health Sciences building and pre-med programming, and a new research initiative. Attendees will also have an opportunity to share their ideas about further program development in the Biological Sciences. A reception will follow the program.
1 – 2 p.m.
Fireside Chat with President Stoltzfus, Church-Chapel, Gathering Rooms (Rooms 141-4)
Join President Rebecca Stoltzfus ’83 for an update on the college and a chance to ask questions.
1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Book Signing, Hunsberger Commons – Union Lobby
Michael Sherer ’82, will have copies of his new book One Disease: Redox Imbalance. How stress becomes disease for purchase and signing. Sherer shares insights from the field of redox biology into the root causes of disease. One hundred percent of the proceeds from today’s sales with go to GC.
2 p.m.
Women’s Soccer Match vs. Saint Francis University, GC Soccer Field
Come see your 2021 Women’s Soccer team in action. Half-time of the match will feature members of the 1971 men’s team that qualified for nationals that year.
2 – 3 p.m.
Homecoming Hymn Sing, Church-Chapel
Led by Dr. Scott Hochstetler ’97, professor of music, Dr. H. Roz Woll, assistant professor of music, and Bradley Kauffman ’96, project director for the new Mennonite hymnal, Voices Together. Come sing some favorite old hymns and learn some new ones.
3 p.m.
Men’s Alumni Basketball Game, Rec-Fitness Center, Gunden Gymnasium
3 p.m.
Tour of the new Center for Communication Studies, north end of Newcomer Center
Jason Samuel, WGCS general manager and assistant professor of communication, and communication student leaders will guide you through the new center that now houses 91.1FM The Globe, The Record, Globe TV.
3:30 – 4 p.m.
Fisher Terrace Dedication, meet at the Leaf Raker Cafe, in the Union Building
Todd Yoder ’84, vice president for advancement, will lead a dedication of the newly decorated Fisher Terrace, in honor of John ’48 and Pauline ’48 (Clemens) Fisher.
4 p.m.
Demonstration of the Nyai Oyer Gamelan, Union Building, Gamelan Room
Marcia Yost, director of the arts, will give a brief introduction to the instrument and you may even have a chance to play it.
4 p.m.
Peace Play, “Heavenly Light,” Umble Center
Cost: $6
This year the Theater Department will feature the 2020 Peace Play contest winner, “Heavenly Light” by Barbara Lindsay. There will be a reception with the playwright following this performance. Ticket window will open at 3 p.m. for ticket purchase or will call. Visit goshen.edu/tickets.
5 p.m.
Class of 1970 – 50th Anniversary Dinner
(This event has been cancelled for this year and will be rescheduled for the 55th reunion year in 2025)
5:30 – 7 p.m.
Art Exhibit Reception: Current and Retired Art Faculty, Music Center, Hershberger Art Gallery
Come see an exhibit of work from our current and retired art faculty members. There will be a few words from the Art Department at 6:15 p.m.
6 p.m.
Women’s Alumni Basketball Game, Rec-Fitness Center, Gunden Gymnasium
7:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Homecoming Music Gala, Music Center, Sauder Concert Hall
Cost: $8, GC students free
The Music Department presents its annual showcase of student and faculty musicians. Ticket window will open at 6:30 p.m. for ticket purchase or will call.
Sunday, Oct. 3
9:30 a.m.
Worship at College Mennonite Church, Church-Chapel
President Rebecca Stoltzfus ’83 will be preaching. Pre-service singing starts at 9:15 a.m. Coffee is served in the Fellowship Hall immediately after the service.
Other local churches will also warmly welcome you back. For a complete list of local congregations, visit: goshen.edu/ faith/church-directory
12 – 1 p.m.
Brunch, Westlawn Dining Hall
2 p.m.
Peace Play, “Heavenly Light,” Umble Center
Cost: $6
This year the Theater Department will feature the 2020 Peace Play contest winner, “Heavenly Light” by Barbara Lindsay. Ticket window will open at 1 p.m. for ticket purchase or will call. Visit goshen.edu/tickets.
7 p.m.
I Go On Singing: Paul Robeson’s Life in Word and Song, The Goshen Theater, downtown Goshen
Cost: $10
Tony Brown ’71 brings the story of Paul Robeson, a champion for peace and human rights for much of the 20th Century, to life through a multimedia program, including Brown’s singing, a pianist, narrator and archival video. Tickets can be purchased prior to the show at the downtown Goshen Theater.
Tickets
Tickets will not be mailed. Electronic tickets for Peace Play and Music Gala will be sent to your email address. Please print your tickets or bring your electronic device so the ticket may be scanned at the door. Paper tickets will also be available in the Music Center at the box office. Tickets are available one hour prior to the event at each venue. Box office is open Friday: 9 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. and Saturday: 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
General Information
Call 574.535.7564 for more information or email alumni@goshen.edu
Hotels & Lodging: A block of rooms has been reserved during homecoming weekend at Hampton Inn (1968 Lincolnway East | 574-533-8800) and Comfort Inn (2309 Lincolnway East | 855-516-1090).
Deadline to reserve with special Homecoming rates: Sept. 1, 2021
At Goshen College, safety has been our number one priority during this global pandemic, which led us to only have a virtual Homecoming 2020. We have learned a lot during this pandemic, and with the widespread availability of highly effective vaccinations, we feel confident that we are again able to gather together in person.
The following precautions are being observed in response to COVID-19:
- All off-campus event attendees will be required to wear face masks while indoors on campus. We will continually monitor and adjust the need for this requirement based on county vaccination rates and transmission rates.
- We will not be limiting seating capacity.
- Hand sanitizing stations will be provided throughout buildings.
- We ask that all guests follow recommendations from the CDC and do not attend if you have a fever, cough or respiratory symptoms, or have recently been in contact with someone who was sick.
We will continue to monitor the pandemic, and make adjustments on safety protocols based on local health guidelines, transmission and vaccination rates. We are committed to creating an atmosphere where we can relax and enjoy our time together!
Welcome Center | Information and Lost & Found
Union Building
Friday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Box Office | Performance ticket purchase and will call
Music Center, Lobby
Friday: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Saturday: 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Hershberger Art Gallery
Music Center
Friday: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m., Saturday: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m., Sunday: 2 – 4 p.m.
Library Art Gallery
Harold and Wilma Good Library
Friday 8 a.m – 5 p.m., Saturday 1 – 6 p.m., Sunday 1 p.m. – midnight
Westlawn Dining Hall
See https://www.aviserves.com/goshen/ for dinning hall prices.
Pay at the door. Prices don’t include tax. Child rate for ages 11 and younger.
Java Junction
Kratz-Miller-Yoder Connector
Hang out with old friends and enjoy your favorite milkshake, mocha or muffin!
Friday: 7:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., 7:30 – 10:30 p.m.
Saturday: 1 – 4 p.m., 7:30 – 10:30 p.m.
Sunday: 3 – 10:30 p.m.
Leaf Raker Cafe
Union Building
Friday 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Saturday, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.