Andrews Alumni Homecoming Weekend 2024

From Sept. 26–29, 2024

The 37th Annual Homecoming Parade will take place on Friday, Sept. 27.

Andrews University’s 2024 Alumni Homecoming Weekend will take place from Thursday, Sept. 26, to Sunday, Sept. 29, and will feature a large assortment of programs and activities that encourage alumni to celebrate the past, reconnect with old associates, and make new connections with current students and faculty. The theme for this year’s weekend is “150,” a continuation of Andrews’ celebration of its 150-year anniversary.

Guests are invited to begin their weekend by checking in at the Alumni House. The weekend’s programs will start with a Spirit of Philanthropy and Homecoming Banquet at 6 p.m. on Thursday evening. More information and details about the banquet and other events will be given at that time.

On Friday, the Wes Christiansen Memorial Golf Outing, one of the most popular alumni events in recent years, will take place at the Orchard Hills Country Club in Buchanan, Michigan. A 7:30 a.m. continental breakfast will take place alongside tournament registration before an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start.

Sponsored by the Women’s Scholarship Committee and Office of Development, the Women’s Scholarship Breakfast will be held in the Campus Center’s Lincoln Room from 8:30–10 a.m. on Friday morning. Ann Hamel (MA ‘94, PhD ‘97), will be giving an address titled “Founded in Faith, Forward in Mission.” An RSVP is required to attend.

In the Johnson Gym from 2–4 p.m., the 150-Year Walk-Through will be on display. The walk-through museum was created in honor of the sesquicentennial. It will feature large exhibits on Andrews' history, including mementos and artifacts from the Battle Creek College and Emmanuel Missionary College years. If missed on Friday, it will be open again at the same time of day on Sabbath.

The 37th Annual Homecoming Parade will keep the celebrations going, starting at 5 p.m. on Friday between the Howard Performing Arts Center and Chan Shun Hall. Following the parade, the International Flag-Raising Ceremony will take place in the Flag Mall at 6:30 p.m.

Attendees are then invited to welcome the Sabbath together through two programs on Friday evening. Student Missions Vespers will take place at 7:30 p.m. in Pioneer Memorial Church, and a Praise Pact service will occur at 8:30 p.m. in the Howard Performing Arts Center. Both services will feature current students and alumni leading worship.

On Saturday morning, several church services will be open to alumni. The day will begin with a Sabbath School service at Pioneer Memorial Church, led by BSCF. The main service at Pioneer Memorial Church will feature speaker John McVay (MDiv ‘84), while New Life Fellowship will feature Damian Chandler (MDiv ‘08) and One Place Fellowship will feature Rachel Keele (MA ’16). Following the church services, Class Reunion Luncheon Buffets will take place in the Campus Center at 1 p.m., where honored Andrews classes will be given the opportunity to share a meal.

After the luncheon, open houses and special exhibitions will be available to peruse in the School of Architecture and Interior Design; Andrews Botanical Conservatory; Center for Adventist Research; James White Library; Museum of Nature and Science in the Science Complex; Ruth Murdoch Elementary School; School of Business Administration; and the Agriculture Education Center. Consult the program provided by the Alumni Office for specific time for each open house.

From 5:30–7:45 pm on Saturday evening, Class Reunion Photos will be taken in Johnson Gym for the honored classes of 1954, 1964, 1974, 1984, 1994, 1999, 2004, 2014, 2019 and 2024. A picnic-style supper will be offered starting at 6 p.m. in the Johnson Gym.

The final events of Saturday night will allow alumni to engage with current Andrews students. The first is the Alumni Homecoming Gala, a complementary concert in the Howard Performing Arts Center starting at 8 p.m., featuring the Andrews Symphony Orchestra, University Singers and Chorale, and Wind Symphony. The second is the alumni vs. students basketball games in the Andreasen Center for Wellness, during which former men’s and women’s Cardinals players will compete against the current teams, starting at 8:30 p.m.

To close out another special Alumni Homecoming Weekend, on Sunday morning the Annual Aviation Fly-In/Drive-In Pancake Breakfast will take place at the Andrews University Airpark from 8–11 a.m. The final event of the weekend will be the Andrews University Community Health and Wellness Expo, sponsored by United Federal Credit Union. The expo will feature multiple booths and vendors from Andrews departments and local businesses providing various family-friendly activities, samples and giveaways on the campus.

To view additional Homecoming events and programming happening on campus this weekend or to receive general information about the 2024 Alumni Homecoming Weekend, please visit the Office of Alumni Services website.