Andrews University held its 39th annual Homecoming Weekend from Sept. 24 to 27, inviting current students, graduates and community members to come together and celebrate. Some of the most anticipated events were the homecoming parade, flag-raising, ceremony and alumni basketball games.
The parade on Friday, Sept. 25 brought old and new together in a blend of tradition and modern inspiration. It featured a wide range of floats and participants, including cultural displays, music performances, and appearances from on-campus departments. One of the most memorable additions was the pastors of Pioneer Memorial Church, each wearing a shirt with a letter of the word “pioneer” on it. Each submission duked it out for cash prizes. According to Carlene Jonhson, a member of the community and staff, the parade had fewer submissions this year, yet was still a moving celebration that brought a diverse group of people together.
The flag raising took place after the parade concluded, in front of the Pioneer Memorial Church, giving some participants the opportunity to hoist national flags from the various nations represented on campus. The president of Andrews University, John Wesley Taylor V, began the celebration by acknowledging the diversity that makes up not only Andrews but also the Seventh-day Adventist Church around the world. The ceremony included the Andrews University Wind Symphony, which played the national anthem and hymn "To God be the Glory” throughout the ceremony. The ceremony ended with all flags being lifted up at once in a display of culture and community.
The alumni basketball game was a clash between the past and present that took place on Saturday, Sept. 26, in the Andreasen Center for Wellness. The teams continued the tradition of current students facing off against the former Cardinals. The women's game kicked off the night with each player displaying great athletic performance and sportsmanship, such as helping each other off the floor. Alumni pulled through and defeated the Cardinals 50-34. The game concluded with a gathering of both teams and a picture taken in the center of the court.
The men's game commenced with an explosive start from the alumni, which carried through the rest of the competition. Each player showed their hustle and love for the game. “The Cardinals had the strength, but the alumni had the skill,” said freshman Adeena Smith. The fast-paced game was intermissioned by a performance from the Andrews University Gymnics team. As the fight for victory resumed on the court, the alumni kept their lead and did not give it up for the rest of the game. It was an exciting battle, but in the end, the alumni came out on top over the current Cardinals with a final score of 81-78. While they were rivals on the court, they displayed friendship and respect for one another by picking each other up and playing with positive attitudes. In the end, all had a taste of what it is like to be a Cardinal and how those years carry on into the rest of life.
This celebration of coming together as students and alumni is a longstanding tradition that guides many back home to Andrews University. Though the weekend was packed, the parade, flag-raising ceremony, and basketball games all showcased the Andrews spirit, both past and present.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.