Concerts, sports, reunions, pageantry and summertime weather rule the day at Sesquicentennial's grand finale
Wilmington College packaged its traditional autumn rituals of Homecoming, Family Day and Alumni Weekend into the grand finale of WC's 150th anniversary celebration. Alumni, students, faculty, staff and the greater community all converged Sept. 16 through 18 for what proved to be a September to remember.
PICTURED: (ABOVE) President Trevor and Kassandra Bates were literally everywhere throughout Homecoming weekend, including at Aggieville, where they chatted with alumni, students and parents. (PICTURED BELOW) King and Queen, Jaymirr Johnson and McKenzie Riley, Alumnus Steve Cukovecki taking a selfie photo with American Idol winner Laine Hardy before the Friday concert and the TKB/Omegas team, winners of the Greek Bed Races.
While the pandemic squelched much of the special programming initially planned for the College's sesquicentennial observance in 2020 and '21, the celebration weekend served to usher out WC's first century and a half with bang.
All the usual Homecoming events transpired, from the Mud Volleyball Tourney and pep rally to affinity group reunions and Greek bed races, but this year's event featured some special activities open to the entire community. Indeed, the College partnered with the Clinton County Convention & Visitors Bureau to bring Laine Hardy, the winner of TV's American Idol in 2019, to downtown Wilmington for a free concert open to all.
Alumni received VIP viewing and hospitality opportunities as a closed Main St. was packed for the Friday evening show during which the Louisiana native satisfied his core country music fans while also touching upon other genres. Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Good" and the Beatles' "Come Together" were two of his popular cover songs.
Activities started bright and early Saturday morning when the 50-year reunion class, 1971, and last year's class, 1970, combined for the Quaker Emeriti Breakfast, at which those classes were recognized for their half century as Wilmington College alumni. Alumni from such affinity groups as the swim team, agriculture and multicultural students also met throughout the day.
The team of TKB/Omegas won the Greek bed races with Farmhouse/Sigma Alpha in second place and DTS/Gamma Beta Eta Lil Sis taking third. The Family Day "Rockin' the Mall" featured several food trucks, a rock-climbing wall, inflatable games and other family friendly attractions.
Special tours included a behind-the-scenes look at the Meriam R. Hare Quaker Heritage Center hosted by QHC Director Dr, Tanya Maus, while alumnus Brad Schwamberger '83 led a "Presidential Tree Tour" through Hazard Arboretum. A couple dozen alumni enjoyed hearing Schwamberger speak about Herbert Hoover's "tree-stump diplomacy" and learn why James Madison is known as the "Founding Father of American Conservation."
The Fightin' Quakers got behind early as the Ohio Northern University Polar Bears gave the Fightin' Quakers the cold shoulder to the tune of 62-27 in the Homecoming football game. The Quaker Thunder Pep Band played throughout the contest, but halftime festivities saw the induction of five new members into the Athletic Hall of Fame and the crowning of the Homecoming king and queen.
John Creech '10 (swimming), Callen Martin '10 (track & field), Katie Streck '08 (basketball), Bud Lewis (men's soccer) and Dick Weidner '68 (football and track & field) are the newest members of the Athletic Hall of Fame.
The 2020 Homecoming royalty, King Darron Crump and Queen Mackenzie (Macki) Leon, returned to their alma mater to crown 2021 King Jaymirr Johnson and Queen McKenzie Riley. Their court featured seniors Virginia Kongos, Shabbir Thompkins, Lauryn White, Tiffany Hayes, Brent Ponikvar and Kane Lewis.
The Homecoming grand finale — and the culmination of the College's 150th anniversary observance — featured a free concert on Elm St. by Vinyl Countdown, a cover band that started playing immediately following the football game's final gun.
Before the summer uptick in COVID-19 cases forced all Homecoming activities outdoors, a celebration of life ceremony was planned in memory of Bill Ramseyer, the long-time, former football coach, athletic director and faculty member who passed away in early 2021 His family requested that it be postponed until April 30 at a time and location to be determined.