The community was alive with music and fun as the ONU School of Music welcomed all area alumni and friends to an event filled with food, tunes and fun at Bourbonnais’ new outdoor venue, The Grove on Thursday, April 24.
Nearly 500 alumni, friends, ONU students and community members were on hand to enjoy the sounds of the ONU Steel Drum Band, the Pop Rock Combo, and the Olivet Wind Ensemble.
Musical excerpts spanned a huge variety, from Bernstein’s Candide Overture to a cover of rock band Heart’s “Barracuda.” Dr. Marvin Jones took the role of soloist, crooning tunes by Stevie Wonder and more.
The inaugural event, hosted by the Office of Alumni Relations, was a massive success, and will certainly be repeated in the future.
“I can’t imagine a better way of bringing our friends and family together,” said Erika Moeschke, Senior Director of Alumni Relations and University Advancement. “Seeing so many neighborhood folks on lawn chairs, or huddled around fire pits or on blankets enjoying great music and food was a fun way to relax after work and welcome springtime in the Kankakee River Valley.”
The near-perfect weather was certainly an asset to the event’s success.
Multiple vendors were on hand to provide a variety of food from food trucks and kiosks; pizza, chicken, nachos, and more.
ONU even provided cookies from alumnae Abby Ring’s delicious Cape Cod Cookie Company.
Chick Fil-A Bradley Bourbonnais, owned and operated by proud ONU alum Jon Klavohn, was also on site with their signature items.
“We are already looking forward to more events like this, and partnering with the Village of Bourbonnais makes so much sense,” said Susan Wolff, ONU’s Associate Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Director of the Strength & Hope Campaign. “The reciprocal relationship of the entire Kankakee area and Olivet Nazarene University is an important one. I’ve been a resident since 1990, and to see how it’s blossomed is really exciting.”
Later this year, Olivet will host a signature community event to recognize, celebrate and strengthen the roots of ONU and the greater Kankakee area.
For more information about news and events, go to Olivet.edu.
