“They” say you can’t go home. Well, they’re wrong. Gannon alumni most certainly can go home. In fact, it’s encouraged! This year, Alumni Homecoming Reunion Weekend takes place Friday through Sunday, right along with the student Homecoming. There are plenty of events to make you feel right at home again.
A showcase event is the Distinguished Alumni Dinner on Friday night, held to recognize alumni who have succeeded in their respective fields and made significant contributions to their church and/or community.
This year’s honorees are: Gregory F. Reed, Ph.D. ’85, director of the Electrical Power Initiative in the Swanson School of Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh for the College of Engineering and Business Award; Kevin P. Sullivan ’87, writer for Nickelodeon Animation Studios for the College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences Award; Antoinette Spevetz, M.D. ’83, director of Intermediate Care at Cooper University Hospital, for the Morosky College of Health Professions and Sciences Award; Andrew C. Rapp ’95, senior program analyst at the United States Office of Personnel Management for the Young Alumni Award; and the Rev. Msgr. James E. Sanner ’53, base chaplain at Fort Sam Houston, for the Monsignor Wilfrid J. Nash Principles of Christian Conduct Award.
Attending the Distinguished Alumni event is a fantastic way to create new relationships while celebrating the possibilities of a Gannon degree.
On Saturday, there is of course the annual Homecoming parade. The Alumni Association will continue its tradition of kicking off the parade with grand marshals from the Class of 1963 who are celebrating their 50th-year reunion this weekend. You’ll also get to see the Distinguished Alumni honorees walking and riding in a second Alumni Association car.
Don’t forget to visit National Alumni Board members on the steps of Old Main for some hot beverages and cookies – perfect for keeping warm on a crisp October day!
The alumni events don’t stop there; events are planned throughout the entire weekend. The Alumni Services Office has gone out of its way to ensure that alumni are never bored. Alumni can enjoy everything from the Homecoming football game to the Villa Maria College Alumnae High Tea and the ever-popular Meet Me at the Plymouth.
Everyone in the Gannon community is invited to join in the festivities from 3-4 p.m. Friday for the dedication of the new Gannon Golden Knight statue at Gannon University Field. On Saturday, we’ll celebrate 25 years of service and social justice with the Center for Social Concerns Anniversary Celebration in Room 219 of the Waldron Campus Center from 4-5:30 p.m. You can even get your exercise with the Pump-KIN-Run early Sunday morning at the CAP. Don’t forget to stop by the new bookstore to buy some alumni swag!
On Sunday, the weekend winds down with a special Mass and the Alumni Brunch with university President Keith Taylor. New this year, the Pittsburgh-area alumni are eager to meet and mingle with current students from the ‘Burgh during a special “Yinzers” gathering at Sunday Brunch! Look for the black and gold tables to find your fellow Pittsburghers and make plans for your own personal Gannon alumni reunions in the Steel City.
So students, as you are busy working on parade floats and skits and picking out that perfect dress or suit for the Homecoming dance this weekend, remember to look around campus, strike up a conversation with our visiting alumni and welcome them back home!
For more information about the Alumni Homecoming Reunion Weekend, visit gannonalumni.org/homecoming2013.
HEATHER NEU, ‘07
