Mercer celebrates Homecoming 2012, welcomes alumni back to Macon campus

Mercer University is abuzz as it celebrates Homecoming 2012 and welcomes alumni to campus.
This year’s Homecoming will take place Nov. 9-11. Current students, alumni, faculty, staff and the Macon community will be attending various events throughout the week, culminating in everyone cheering on the Mercer Bears at the Homecoming basketball game.
Homecoming 2012 is the fifth fall Mercer Homecoming, as the week was previously held in February.
During this time of year, spirit and pride reach a visible high on Mercer’s campus. Homecoming 2012 will welcome back to campus thousands of Mercerians to celebrate with the current students and enjoy the class reunions, sporting events, music, tailgating and various other activities.
Campus organizations host events throughout the week to encourage participation.
QuadWorks will be hosting a Homecoming concert headlined by Corey Smith at the Macon City Auditorium on Nov. 7. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the opening act by Stevens Layne, featuring Mercer alumna Molly Stevens, begins at 7:30 p.m.
Monday night, campus organizations competed in a house decorating contest and a banner design contest. On Tuesday, a talent competition was held, appropriately titled “Mercer’s Got Talent,” hosted by Mercer’s Service Scholar seniors Ellen Begley and Jessica Walker.
Also on Wednesday, students will vote online for Homecoming Court from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Greek organizations, along with other student organizations, will partner up to compete in daily categories, from the Banner and House Decorating contest to the exciting Skit and Lip Sync competitions. This is the time for student organizations to get their creativity and school spirit going as they work around this year’s theme, “Let the Games Begin.”
According to Student Government President, Mollie Davis, Homecoming fervor takes over the student population every year. “Homecoming is the best time of the year. It’s a great time for people who love Mercer to get together, share memories and celebrate. It’s definitely my favorite time of the year!” said Davis. “SGA is fully in support of everyone participating in the activities.”
Homecoming weekend events open to the public include reunions (classes of 1962, 1972, 1982, 1987, 1992, and 2002), Half Century Club luncheon, All Class Party, Athletic Hall of Fame and Alumni Speakers.
On Friday, basketball season will begin as the women’s team plays the Brevard College Tornados at 7 p.m. Events continue after the game outside at Bear Hill, where there will be a student skit competition at 9 p.m. and the traditional bonfire and pep rally featuring Mercer’s pep band, cheerleaders and a pep talk by men’s basketball head coach, Bob Hoffman, at 9:45 p.m. The night’s events will conclude with an exciting fireworks display.
Other Friday (Nov. 9) events will include the Alumni Career Speaker Series, which is the Career Fair co-sponsored by Career Services, the Organization of Black Students, and the National Association of Black Engineers, held from 1-4 p.m. at the Religious Life Center; the Dulcimer Alumni Showcase and Open House at 5:30 p.m. in the Art Building; and the Athletic Hall of Fame Induction from 5:30-7 p.m. in the President’s Dining Room. The celebrations will also include several athletic events, like the dedication ceremony for Mercer’s new Drake Field House at the Moye Football and Lacrosse Complex on Friday, Nov. 9, at 2 p.m.
On Saturday, Nov. 10, the men’s basketball season will start at 4 p.m., as our Mercer Bears host the game against the Sewanee Tigers. Several Greek cookouts and alumni tailgating events will be held before the game at the Garden Apartment Lots above the UC patio. Also, prior the men’s game, Mercer will publicly dedicate Hawkins Arena in the University Center and raise a banner to commemorate last season’s CIT Championship. In addition to these athletic events, the Mercer football team will play an intrasquad Orange and Black scrimmage at 10 a.m., Saturday on Bear Field.
Saturday events will begin early in the morning with a 5K Road Run at 8 a.m., followed by an Orange Pancake Breakfast at 8:30 a.m. to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association. After the breakfast, alumni may participate in campus tours and affinity group reunions. The afternoon and evening schedule features several new activities, including a corn hole competition, a Mercer on Mission reception, a dean’s fair for prospective students, pony rides for children and a performance of Cirque Mechanics at 7:30 p.m. in the Grand Opera House. There will also be a Sunday afternoon matinee performance at 2:30 p.m. The Saturday schedule will conclude with the All Class Party from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. at Penfield Hall.
“Homecoming 2012 promises to be the most exciting and best-attended yet,” said Jill Kinsella, Associate Vice President for Alumni Services. “Our alumni from all over the country will get to see the recent campus expansions, watch the new football team in action and celebrate with fellow Mercerians.”
Attendees are required to register online at homecoming.mercer.edu. For a full schedule or more information on individual events, please visit homecoming.mercer.edu or the Mercer University Homecoming 2012 Facebook page.