Virtual Homecoming Expands Connection to Alumni

BETHANY, W.Va. – Bethany College is inviting alumni to stay connected with a virtual homecoming celebration Oct. 22-25.

“Even during this very difficult, unusual time, our alumni continue to stay engaged, continue to reach out to students, faculty, and staff, check in to see if everyone is doing OK, and offer their support anyway that they can,” said Lori Weaver, vice president of institutional advancement.

With that in mind, the college is hosting a series of Homecoming events that allow alumni to interact with each other and see what current students are doing.

“COVID-19 has put some traditions on hold, however, Bethany is excited to expand Homecoming offerings to our alumni worldwide,” said Rhone Thrash, director of alumni engagement. “Our digital schedule is a great opportunity to engage our alumni who wouldn’t have been able to visit campus.”

Oct. 22 will feature videos from the Bison athletic teams throughout the day and an athletics workshop at 4:30 p.m. featuring John Somsky ’71, a member of the Sports Management Advisory Board at Robert Morris University and former senior manager of sports marketing at Gatorade. At 6 p.m., relive the 2018 Bison volleyball title with a replay of the Presidents Athletic Conference championship game.

On Oct. 23, the classes of 1970 (3:30 p.m.) and 1980 (2 p.m.) reunite via Zoom and hear from Bethany President Tamara Nichols Rodenberg. At 2:45 p.m., the class of 1980 will sponsor a dedication ceremony of Old Main 203. In celebrating its 40th reunion, the class held a fund-raising drive to upgrade the classroom.

At 7 p.m. Oct. 23, the Bethany College Alumni Association will host its annual alumni awards ceremony. At 8 p.m., Kenn Morgan, Jennie Renner Steindorf Chair of Fine Arts and the director of the Renner Art Gallery, will present via video an art show.

Oct. 24 will begin with Jim Allison’s Last Run at 8 a.m. In its 20th year, the 5K run and walk raises funds for scholarships. The event is in memory of a Bethany alumnus and longtime math professor.

At 11 a.m. Bethany Athletic Director Steve Thompson will announce the Bison Athletic Hall of Fame inductees.

Virtual gatherings of the various Greek chapters begin at 11:30 a.m.

In place of the annual Homecoming game, the Bison football team will livestream an intrasquad scrimmage at 1 p.m. The Bethany Homecoming king and queen will be announced during the game.

A wine tasting event is set for 7 p.m. Anyone interested in participating must register by Oct. 18. Three bottles of wine and food pairings will be shipped to the attendee’s home ahead of the event. At 8 p.m. Eli Lambie, a two-time winner of the Louis Armstrong jazz award, will present the Live from Home concert.

At 9:30 a.m. Oct. 25, Holly Hillgardner, associate professor of religious students and Gresham Chair of Humanities, will present morning yoga and meditation.

At 10:45 a.m., Bethany Memorial Church will livestream its church service via Facebook. At noon, Gary Kappel, emeritus professor of history, will present a tour and history of Bethany.

Register for any of the events here. For more information, contact [obfuscate_btn]rthrash@bethanywv.edu[/obfuscate_btn].

ABOUT BETHANY COLLEGE

Bethany College, founded in 1840, is the oldest private college in West Virginia. The Bethany experience focuses on academic excellence in the area of liberal arts and prepares students for a lifetime of work and a life of significance.