Freed-Hardeman University welcomes alumni, friends and family back to campus for Homecoming 2024: Thanks for the Memories. The celebration begins with student spirit activities Sunday, Nov. 3, and culminates in a weekend of reunions and special events Nov. 8-10, honoring the lasting legacy and bonds formed at FHU. “Homecoming is one of the most exciting weeks of the school year,” Director of Alumni Engagement Chris Ramey said. “It gives us the opportunity to tie the present, past and future of FHU together in one week and celebrate what we love about FHU — her history and her people. It is a unique occasion to be cherished and a time-honored tradition, now in its eighth decade, that has established firm roots in the legacy of our beloved school.” As part of the Homecoming tradition, students will have multiple opportunities to showcase their FHU spirit throughout the week. Social clubs will compete in daily spirit events that will test their athletic, artistic and creative abilities and will help raise money for local non-profit organizations. Clubs who earn the most points throughout the week will secure the Homecoming Spirit Competition trophy. Daily chapel services will take place at 10:30 a.m. in the Brewer Sports Center and will feature special alumni speakers throughout the week. Friday’s ALUMination Day will then invite many FHU alumni to share their career and life experiences with various classes across campus. The annual Lion Walk parade will take place Saturday, Nov. 9, at 12 p.m. and will feature thematic floats created by social club members. Future FHU students, ages 0-18, are invited to participate in a special “Lion Cub Walk” to open the parade. Future Lions Annie Ballard, FHU class of ’35, and Jackson Ramey, FHU class of ’38, will lead this year’s parade carrying a brand new Lion Walk banner. For the first time, the Lion Walk will also include a new tradition of instituting honorary grand marshals to lead the parade. Inaugural grand marshals for this year will be former FHU President and First Lady Dr. Milton and Laurel Sewell. The fourth annual FHU 5K for the Children is a fundraiser organized by Dr. Matt Barker’s small group communication class in order to benefit the Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse. Runners will meet Saturday morning at 8 a.m. in the Five Wells Field parking lot. Those wishing to participate may register at tinyurl.com/For-the-Children. Alumni from the classes of ’79, ’84, ’94, ’04, ’14 and ’24 will be honored with special receptions, a reunion brunch and time to reunite with old friends throughout the weekend. Previous members of the FHU Chorale and Sonshine Singers, in the years Dr. Gary McKnight conducted from 1993-2024, will also have designated times to eat, reminisce and, of course, sing together. For more information or to register, visit tinyurl.com/McKnightReunion. In order to celebrate the most recent student dormitory upgrades, a ribbon-cutting ceremony will showcase the newly renovated Hall-Roland Hall Friday afternoon at 2 p.m. Additionally, alumni parents and grandparents of first-time FHU students are invited to participate in a Legacy Pinning Ceremony Saturday morning in Chapel Hall. The key speaker will be alumnus Don Williams (’79), whose grandson Braden Williams is now the sixth generation of their family to attend FHU. Those planning to attend the pinning ceremony must email alumni@fhu.edu by Friday, Nov. 1. FHU Theatre will present a production of “Pericles” by William Shakespeare Nov. 7-9 in the Black Box Theatre. Tickets may be purchased at tinyurl.com/PericlesFHU. Meanwhile, the University Chorale, under the new leadership of Dr. Scott Wyatt, will perform their Homecoming concert Saturday at 11 a.m. in the Draughon Center for the Musical Arts.
Basketball fans are invited to Brewer Sports Center’s Smith-Kirk Court Saturday afternoon to cheer on the Lady Lions, as they battle Bryan College at 1 p.m., and the Lions, as they face LSU-Alexandria at 3 p.m. Purchase tickets at fhu.edu/homecoming. Following the basketball game at 5 p.m., a special coronation ceremony will recognize the student Homecoming court representatives and will crown those selected as Homecoming King and Queen. The 2024 Athletic Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony will honor Joe Burleson (1960-62), Beau Caviness (2013-18) and Hannah (Griffin) Skelley (2012-16) Saturday at 6 p.m. The Distinguished Service Award will also be presented to Gayle McDonald. Tickets for the dinner and ceremony may be purchased at tinyurl.com/FHU-Hall-of-Fame.
Saturday, Nov. 9, will also provide high school juniors and seniors the chance to experience what it’s like to be a Lion during Maroon & Gold Day. Participants will be treated to brunch, celebrate Homecoming festivities, tailgate with social clubs and attend the Lion and Lady Lion basketball games. Optional campus tours are also available. Online registration is available by visiting go.fhu.edu/register/mgdnov2024. To purchase tickets and view the full Homecoming schedule, please visit fhu.edu/homecoming. The mission of Freed-Hardeman University is to help students develop their God-given talents for His glory by empowering them with an education that integrates Christian faith, scholarship and service. With locations in Henderson and Memphis, FHU offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s, specialist and doctoral degrees. More information is available at fhu.edu.
