| Homecoming
"I was thrilled to see a new
level of attendance and engagement
in Homecoming activities this year.
The Saturday night All-Alumni Dinner
was an exciting new event that will
become a highlight for Jewell graduates
in the years to come. I encourage
everyone to put October 14, 2006
on their calendars now and start
planning to be a part of next year's
celebration of Jewell's past and
future."
- William Jewell College President
Dr. David Sallee commenting on the
success of combining several key
events at Homecoming weekend.
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A golf tournament, a homes tour, a Sorority
Complex and Greek Common site dedication,
an exciting football game, a dinner, a
dance, and a good time had by all.
William Jewell College celebrated Homecoming
this year on October 28 and 29 with a
wide variety of activities, including
Reunion Weekend for the milestone reunion
classes of 1945 and 1955 which preceded
the Homecoming festivities.
Reunion Weekend began on Thursday, October
27 with a special reception and dinner
for classmates and their guests. Over
30 returning graduates took part in a
ceremony in which they received medallions
commemorating their graduation years.
Class members and their guests were treated
to special events throughout the weekend
and many elected to continue their reminiscences
by attending Homecoming events on Saturday.
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Homecoming
weekend officially kicked off on
Friday, October 28 with the 15th
Annual Homecoming Golf Tournament
at William Jewell's Claycrest Golf
Club. A record field of 35 teams
and 140 golfers participated in
the event, which benefited the William
Jewell College Athletics Program.
A Harley Davidson V-Rod motorcycle
was even offered by Worth Harley
Davidson of Blue Springs for the
first golfer to hit a hole-in-one
on hole #4 during play. One golfer
hit the flag on that hole, but,
alas, the ball didn't make it into
the hole! However, players enjoyed
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the
golf but the silent auction for sports
memorabilia, the live raffle, the barbeque
lunch, and perhaps most important of all,
the fellowship with alumni and friends
of William Jewell.
Homecoming day on Saturday, October 29,
was packed with many special celebrations.
Recognition of Bill "Pee Wee"
Summers '65, as the first African-American
graduate, was observed at a brunch at
which not only the first African-American
graduate was present, but also the second
and third: John Houston WJC '66 and Wence
Cunningham '68. Tours of four former off-campus
fraternity homes were offered along with
tours of the new homes, culminating in
a site dedication for the future Sorority
Complex and Greek Common. Academic department
receptions, a golf-cart parade during
pre-game festivities and the football
game led into the evening's activities.
This
year's Homecoming observed a new
event that is sure to become an
instant tradition for William Jewell
alumni and friends. Over 370 participants
took part in the historic, first-ever
All-Alumni Dinner and Dance (yes,
there was dancing!). The inaugural
event was held at the Embassy Suites
at KCI Airport, incorporating for
the first time the presentation
of Alumni Service Awards and Athletic
Hall of Fame Dedication ceremonies.
A reception specifically for the
Athletic Hall of Fame honorees and
their guests and friends was held
concurrently with a general reception
for all honored classes and affinity
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groups
prior to the dinner. All William Jewell
alumni, guests, and friends converged
in the ballroom to celebrate mutual achievements
and enjoy dinner followed by a dance.
