Posted on Thursday, July 22, 2021
There will be a lot to celebrate Oct. 29-31 during the in-person Homecoming 2021 Weekend, according to Martha Pirkle, Director of Alumni and Community Relations.
“We were devastated last year when the pandemic caused us to have a virtual Homecoming,” she said. “But we are thrilled we can welcome friends and supporters back to campus for 2021. The excitement is already mounting.”
Alumni whose classes ended in 0s, 1s, 5s and 6s will be celebrating their reunions during the weekend’s festivities.
The annual alumni awards luncheon Oct. 29 will recognize the 2021 recipients. They include Charlene Baxter and Linda Cole, honorary alumna awards; Michael Thorpe Fay ’86 and Cheryl Blasingame Garing ’98, Shackelford Alumni Achievement Awards; and Dr. Eric Keels ’10, Outstanding Young Alumni. The late David Fowler ’85 will be inducted posthumously into the Sports Hall of Fame.
Friday’s fun will continue at the Flashback Friday Party at Overlook Plaza from 6:30-11 p.m. The venue is located two blocks south of Lafayette Square and features a brick plaza and covered outdoor stage.
The family-friendly event will be free and will feature food trucks, games and live music by The Reasons Why playing hits from the 1960s and ’70s.
“This will be ideal for impromptu reunions, complete with music, firepits and refreshments,” Pirkle said. “All you need to bring is your friends.”
One change in Friday’s schedule is the golf event at Highland Country Club. The Alumni Golf Outing will have tee times between 10:45 a.m. and 12:10 p.m.
“The earlier tee times will give golfers the opportunity to finish in time to attend the 50th Reunion Celebration and the party downtown,” she said.
The traditional Tom Duckett Golf Tournament has been moved to the spring. More information will be announced later.
Terlyn Olds, the college’s new Director of Athletics and Recreation, is eager to help plan the spring tourney that benefits the Panther Club. Proceeds from the event go to support student-athletes.
“I am thrilled to be able to work with very passionate people on a project that honors a great alum,” she said.
Homecoming festivities will continue Saturday with tailgating in the Callaway Auditorium parking lot, and the football game pitting the Panthers against Greensboro at 1 p.m. in Callaway Stadium. The announcement of the 2021 Homecoming King and Queen will be made at halftime.
The college’s chapters of Kappa Delta, Alpha Omicron Pi and Phi Mu will celebrate their 50th anniversary on the Hill with a gathering from 6-10 p.m. at Highland Country Club.
“An email invitation will go out to former members in August with instructions on how to purchase tickets,” Pirkle said. “It also will include details on sorority tailgates and open houses,” she said.
For more information, email lagrangecollegesororities@gmail.com.
Lamar Dodd Art Center will host an exhibition from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Saturday. “Chiara Ombra” features the works of Ann Hutchinson Beason HA ’14 and Merri Herbert Lawrence ’77.
“This is a yearlong collaboration of two LaGrange College alumni,” said Marcia Brown, Professor of Art and Design and Chair of Fine and Performing Arts. “It includes natural materials collected in gardens, woodlands, meadows and the coast, using the darkroom to create images of light and shadow.”
Other events are being nailed down, so Pirkle encourages everyone to keep up with Homecoming activities at l0jb.kongtiao11.com/homecoming.
She also noted this is a tentative schedule.
“As the campus continues to navigate COVID-19, Homecoming celebration plans will be made with the safety of our students and campus community in mind and will be adjusted accordingly,” she said. “Please check back for more updates in the coming months.”
Want to relive one of your glory days? The college’s YouTube channel has posted Commencement videos from 2004, 2009 and 2010-2021 (minus 2012). Check them out here. 
Political Science Major Erik Moran conducted research on vaccination rates for several states and co-authored an article with Political Science Professor Dr. John Tures. It was published in several newspapers in several states.
Have special memories of times spent on the old patio next to Smith Hall? You can purchase your own personal commemorative patio brick by going to l0jb.kongtiao11.com/bricks.
Today (Friday) we are hosting more than 50 families on campus for in-person registration from 12:30-4 p.m. Welcome to the Hill, everyone. There is still time to apply for the 2021-22 academic year. For more information, visit here.
Softball
Melanie Rushing has been hired as Associate Athletic Director and Head Softball Coach. Rushing was the head softball coach at Kalamazoo (Michigan) for three years. She is currently operating a company, Mental Sweet Spot, founded by her that is dedicated to helping softball coaches and teams train the mental aspect of the game. Rushing holds a bachelor’s degree in communicative disorders from University of Redlands, a master’s in sport psychology from the University of Denver and another master’s in leadership and learning from Jacksonville University. She begins her duties on Aug. 2.
2 – Karen Pruett
Michelle Reeves
3 – Andrea Jarmon
Linda McMullen
5 – Brandi Cameron
7 – Bethany Harris
8 – Matthew Donnett
10 – Kevin Shirley
12 – Colleena Collins
13 – Stacey Ernstberger
Jarred Rutherford
14 – Chris Lee
16 – John Kraus
20 – Alexandria Andrade
21 – Chastity Hargrett
Tammy Rogers
30 – Vickie Evans
Prepare to be amazed! When you step onto our gorgeous campus, you will find a caring community who wants you to succeed.
LaGrange locals remember the ’96 Olympics as 25-year anniversary approaches – WRBL-TV (Columbus, Georgia), July 13, 2021
LaGrange College students are staying in Troup County, specifically teachers and nurses – WRBL-TV, June 21, 2021
No links available
Richter retires after leading Panthers golf team for 28 years – LaGrange Daily News, July 7, 2021
Claybrook taking on new challenge – LaGrange Daily News, June 19-20
Category: Students, College, Events, Community, Academics, Faculty
Keywords: Homecoming alumni commencement
