Homecoming to include family-friendly traditions

Northwestern College will celebrate Homecoming Oct. 2 and 3 with family-friendly traditions, including the Raider Road Race, Morning on the Green carnival, football and class reunions.

With a theme of “Gratefully Red,” Homecoming 2009 begins Friday, Oct. 2, with campus tours and an invitation for visitors to join students for chapel, classes and lunch. Tour and class schedules—along with other Homecoming information—will be available at a hospitality table in the Rowenhorst Student Center from 8:30 to 11 a.m.

At 6:30 p.m., the Distinguished Alumni Dinner will honor the professional, humanitarian and Northwestern service achievements of Dr. Randall Oostra ’77, Holland, Ohio; Darleen (De Beer ’52) Vander Aarde, Orange City; and Drew ’72 and Jean (Tallman ’75) Vogel, Orange City. Reservations are required.

Friday evening local and student bands will compete in a new Homecoming event, Battle of the Bands, in the Rowenhorst Student Center.

Homecoming events continue Saturday morning with the 16th annual Raider 5K Run/Walk. The race begins at 8:30 a.m. near Christ Chapel. Pre-registration is $10; cost is $15 the day of the race.

From 9:30 a.m. to noon, enjoy Morning on the Green. The annual carnival will include games and prizes and a petting zoo; proceeds support student clubs and organizations. Due to rain, soggy ground and cold temperatures, it will be held in the Rowenhorst Student Center gym.

A picnic lunch will be served in the cafeteria from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cost is $6 per person; children under five eat free. Areas will be designated for the reunions of the classes of 1979, 1989, 1999 and 2004.

The Raider football team will kick off against Concordia University at 1:30 p.m. on Korver Field. Alumni A cappella Choir members who want to sing the national anthem before the game should meet at the 50-yard line at 1 p.m.

During the game, alumni can mingle in the Alumni Hospitality Tent behind the stadium’s west bleachers.

At 5 p.m. Saturday, the Red Raider varsity volleyball team will host Midland Lutheran in the Bultman Center.

All alumni and friends of Northwestern are invited to Homecoming events. For more information or to register for any activities, visit www.nwciowa.edu/homecoming, or contact the Northwestern College alumni office at 712-707-7134 or alumni@nwciowa.edu.