Olivet Nazarene University celebrated tradition, athletic victories, honors, great food and fellowship during Homecoming and Family Weekend 2023. Throughout the weekend, guests participated in more than 50 unique events organized by executive director of Alumni Relations, Erinn Proehl ’13/’19 MBA.
On Thursday, ONU Women’s Volleyball took home a win during their Senior Night competition against Calumet College. Later that same evening, the Alumni Board served a late-night breakfast treat to the student body in Ludwig Center at the Throwback Thursday Student Pancake Feed.
During the Homecoming chapel service on Friday morning, Young Alumni Award recipients Anna (Grieder) Victorson ’14 and Rev. Calum Samuelson ’13/’15 M.A. were recognized and gave testimony to the role of faith in their professional careers.
Also on Friday, a new statue was unveiled in the Decker Quadrangle. Students filled the space in purple & gold, enjoying music, food trucks, and outdoor games. That evening, following victories by the women’s and men’s basketball teams in McHie Arena, the night concluded with the Taste of Olivet dessert reception in Chalfant Hall.
On Saturday, the classes of 2018, 2013, 2008, 2003, 1998, 1993, 1988, 1983, 1978, 1973 and purple & gold grads (anyone prior to ’73) gathered to celebrate their undergraduate reunions.
The afternoon included the outdoor family fun zone and food trucks before the Tiger Football game against the Roosevelt Lakers at Ward Field.
Saturday evening’s School of Music Concert: Songs from the Stage and Screen featured alumni soloists and beloved songs from popular movies and musicals. Throughout the weekend there were several opportunities to take in a show at the Strickler Planetarium or enjoy the fall play, Alice in Wonderland.
The weekend festivities concluded on Sunday morning with the President’s Prayer Breakfast. Guests in attendance enjoyed music from Orpheus Choir and had the opportunity to hear from the Ministerial “O” Award recipient, Raechel (Pennington) Meyers ’05, and Lay “O” Award recipient, Angel Colón ’90, as they gave testimony to how Olivet shaped their respective careers.
To conclude the event, Teresa Matthews and Rev. David Wine ’72 joined First Lady Tammy (Salyer) Chenoweth ’89 for a time of thanksgiving and prayer for the campus community of Olivet.
For more information about campus events, visit olivet.edu/events.
