Milligan University held its annual homecoming festivities Oct. 23-24, celebrating alumni reunions and shared memories.
This year’s homecoming, themed “Once Upon a Time,” celebrated the reunions of the classes of 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016 and 2021. The weekend also included the 30-year WUMC/WZMC reunion, the Physician Assistant reunion, the Emmanuel Christian Seminary reunion, and reunions for the swim, volleyball and women’s basketball teams.
“Even after 50 years, when we come here, it feels like home,” said Dee Ledermann England, class of 1976. John Colson, class of 1967, shared a similar sentiment.
“It’s the same year after year at homecoming. I just enjoy meeting, reuniting with old friends,” he said.
The weekend kicked off Friday with the “Vintage” Buffs Reception, where graduates of 1975 and earlier reconnected with fellow alumni. The celebration dinner followed, recognizing the achievements and contributions of alumni and athletes from Milligan University and Emmanuel Christian Seminary.
The evening continued with the men’s and women’s swim teams competing against King University. The men won 107-66, while the women fell to King 104-81. The night ended with a performance of “Seussical, the Musical,” at McGlothlin-Street Theater.
Saturday started with the annual Buffalo 5K Run/2.5K Walk. Activities continued with the storybook scavenger hunt and trivia, the alumni-versus-students flag football game, and storytime with Brutus before the annual parade kicked off. More than 15 wagons representing clubs, teams and organizations across campus participated.
Hands-on science activities for children, inflatables and a performance by “Skye & The Guys” took place under the sunny afternoon sky before Milligan’s tennis team faced Lees-McRae College. The men’s team won 4-3, while the women fell 6-1. Milligan’s homecoming concert, the “USO 1940s Show,” and another performance of “Seussical the Musical,” wrapped up the night.
Throughout the weekend, alumni and current students shared stories about pranks, professors and how things have changed over the years. Carolyn Flora Caraway, class of 1986, shared a story about asking out her now-husband, Tom Caraway, class of 1985, during her freshman and sophomore years for TWIRP week, before the two officially began dating. Forty years after the Caraways graduated, they returned to campus with their whole family, still married.
For Colson, one reason he returns for homecoming each year is the sense of community that, in his opinion, has remained unchanged since he graduated.
“I would say the unchanging, friendly attitude of the Milligan community, of faculty and students and the warm reception of meeting people that you don’t know,” he said.
Photo: A group of alumni taking a picture with a photo prop in front of the buffalo on Oct. 24. (by Emily Haas)
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