An escalation of ‘Buffalo Pride’ is circulating through Milligan College’s campus this week.
With annual tradition of hosting Homecoming for current, future and former students and faculty, 2016 is adding an extra piece to the puzzle with the institute’s 150th anniversary, according Milligan College President Dr. Bill Greer.
“You can tell there’s a sense of excitement on campus because there’s a lot of preparation going on for Homecoming,” Dr. Greer told the Elizabethton Star on Monday. “We expect a record number of attendees for the Homecoming festivities this weekend. Partly because it is in celebration of our 150th anniversary. That’s a historic milestone for any organization.”
The homecoming, which begins with a church service on Thursday, Oct. 20 and lasts until Sunday, Oct. 23, falls in line with the continual celebration of the sesquicentennial that caps off during the month of December.
“This Homecoming is the pinnacle of Milligan’s historic sesquicentennial celebration that kicked off at least year’s Homecoming,” Theresa Garbe, director of alumni relations, said in a statement released from the college. “We are pulling out all the stops this year and expect between 750-800 guests for this incredible, fun-filled weekend.”
Following Thursday’s service, the Homecoming will kickoff with its first event on Friday, Oct. 21, a black tie optional Sesquicentennial Gala scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Steve Lacy Fieldhouse.
The event includes attendees taking a stroll through Milligan’s 150-year history with song and dance. Retired faculty members Drs. Lee and Pat Magness will be recognized as Milligan’s 2016 Distinguished Alumni while former First Lady Clarinda Jeanes will receive the Hardin “Spirit of Milligan” Award.
Greer said he’s expecting around 450 for the event.
“We look for that to be a great time of celebration,” he added. “It’ll be the perfect opportunity to reflect on where we’ve been and the excitement about where we’re going.”
And with the Gala taking place at an athletic facility, attendees are encouraged to head across to Anglin Field following the Gala to watch the men’s soccer team play Hiwassee College at 8:30 p.m.
Other events during Homecoming includes:
• “Forward with Faith: The Milligan College Story,” an orginial play written and directed by Milligan alumna Rosemarie Shield (‘59), celebrates 150 years of Milligan history from its early days as the Buffalo Male and Female Institute to its current status as a nationally-recognized Christian liberal arts college. Show times include Thursday, Oct. 20 and Saturday, Oct. 22 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 23, at 2:30 p.m. Each three performances will be held at the McGlothlin-Street Theatre. Seats are $5 at the Milligan Bookstore.
• Saturday morning will begin with the annual Milligan Buffalo 5K/2.5K Walk, hosted by the Associated Ladies for Milligan. The race starts at 8 a.m. at the Steve Lacy Fieldhouse, and all proceeds will benefit student scholarships.
• A photography exhibition titled “And Who Is My Neighbor?” by alumnus Joel Carillet (Milligan ‘96, Emmanuel ‘99) will open at 11 a.m. on Sunday in Milligan Art Gallery located in Derthick Hall and run through Nov. 20. Inspired by the parable of the Good Samaritan, Carillet shows people, landscapes and current events across the multiple countries.
• The annual Homecoming parade will make its way down Blowers Boulevard at 2 p.m. on Saturday and lead into the festival on Derthick lawn from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., which includes kettle corn and inflatables for kids of all ages.
• A short, family-friendly concert titled “And All That Jazz” will take place in Milligan’s Mary B. Martin Auditorium located in Seeger Chapel at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday. The concert showcases a variety of great jazz hits and features the Milligan Concert Choir, Women’s Chorale, Heritage, Heard Mentality, Jazz Ensemble and the Milligan Orchestra.
• Saturday night will close with a firework display on Anglin Field.
“We’ll be having our trustee meetings this week as well, so I have a little work to do between now and then before I get to the party of Homecoming,” Dr. Greer said with a laugh.
But with all the festivities, Sunday ends the way the celebration starts – with a 9:30 a.m. service at Seeger Chapel.
“We think it is appropriate for this institute to stop at the end of all the excitement and craziness and say ‘we’re here because of God’s providence’, and we’re ending Homecoming the way it started,” Dr. Greer said. “We want to pause and thank him for that.”
But while the bulk of events start Thursday, students have already been underway.
“I think I venture into a dunk tank on Wednesday,” Dr. Greer said with smile.
For more information and a complete schedule for Homecoming 2016 or register online, visit www.milligan.edu/homecoming, or call the Alumni Office at (423) 461-8718.