HDmecDming hrings hack Did friends Homecominggave Harding a weekend that was a change ofpace. With the musical, the footballgameagainstOuachitaBaptistUniversity and the alumni activities, theweekendwas far fromnormal. With all this activity, many students were overwhelmed. "There were too many folks around! It was a busyweekend, but itwas pretty fun. IenjoyedmyfirstHomecoming,"freslnnan JohnShuttlesworthsaid. SophomoreDanielleEvans said, ''Thisyear, I was able toenjoyHomecomingina differentway because I wasexcitedaboutmyfriendswhowere comingbackfor theweekend. I alsohad a better idea ofwhat to expect and how to deal with it. This year, I knewto avoid the cafeteriaat certain times!" LyndsayAllan and BrookeBennett shared responsibilities as co-directors of activities surroundingthefootballgameandHomecoming court,includingthevotingprocedures, thechapel program decorations at the game, the football throw game in chapel and other behind-thescenejobs. "Lastyear, I didn't knowhowmuch went into it. BeinginvolvedmadeHomecoming alotmorespecial tome,"Allansaid. "Igottohelp out in everypart ofit." The gamewas crowded. Many fans were on hand to cheerHardingon to a 50-21victoryover OBU. During halftime, senior Jody Rhoten was crowned queen. "The neatest thing about it was seeing my dad standing beside me and being so proud. He was adorable. It was such a fun day," she said. TheBlackandGoldbanquet, held for alumni onFridaynighteachyear duringHomecoming Alumni of the Thundering Herd take the field during the halftime performance. The band and choruses were among the groups who held special reunions during Homecoming. Photo by Aaron Gillihan. 26 Homecoming weekend,wasorganizedbytheAlumniRelations Office. Presentation of the Distinguished AlumnusAward is a part ofthe programeach year.The1996awardhonoredMildredandWinnie Bell, sisters whoworked at Hardingfor many years. ' 'Littledidweknowthatadreamwastocome true when we left Waxahachie, Texas, in December, 1945, tobeHardingCollegestudents," theywrote for the Harding magazine last fall. "Eventually, we both returned to Harding to workformanyyears, Mildred as chairmanofthe home economics department andWinnie as directorofthe library-occupations inwhichwe could serve the Lord and make a living at the same time. Adreamcome true!" The Golden Circle is comprised ofalumni for 50 or more years. Mark Moore, director ofalumni relations, said, "The Golden Circle is really interesting. Great stories were told when the graduates reminisced. Some people who come for their induction haven't been to Harding in 50 years . Needless to say, Harding has really changed since then. ''We give thema name tagwith a picture on it from their college annual. Theyget a yearbook thathas oldpictures and stories oneachperson. This year, we had about 125peopleattend the GoldenCircle dinner,''Moore said. Other activities for alumni includedreunions andspecial dinners. ''Theseniorclasspresidents are in charge oforganizing the reunions every five years,"Moore said. ''Whatmost people don't realize is that, when someone is elected to that office, it is a lifelong job." - Sara VanRheenen
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