Northwestern to host Raider Nation Homecoming Celebration

Northwestern College will hold Raider Nation Celebration, the college’s annual Homecoming and Family Weekend, Oct. 3–4. The weekend’s events include class reunions, banquets, athletic events, a music showcase, and traditions such as the Morning on the Green carnival.

At 10:05 Friday morning, Tricia (Vander Waal ’94) Vermeer will speak in chapel. Vermeer is the executive director of the Vermeer Charitable Foundation in Pella, Iowa, which provides assistance for a variety of projects that enhance the quality of life for Vermeer team members and their communities.

Friday evening, Northwestern will host its Celebration Banquet, an event that recognizes the generosity of donors and the achievements of students. All Northwestern supporters are invited to attend the banquet, which begins in the Rowenhorst Student Center with appetizers at 5:15 p.m. Email Carrie Anderson at codell@nwciowa.edu or call 712-707-7110 by Sept. 19 to reserve a seat.

The Northwestern College theatre department will present the children’s play, “Dragons Love Tacos,” at 7 p.m. in the DeWitt Theatre Arts Center. A matinee performance will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday. To reserve tickets, visit nwciowa.edu/tickets.

At 7:30 p.m. Raider volleyball alumni and fans are invited to attend the volleyball match against Hastings. The team will play again on Saturday at 5 p.m. versus Doane.

At 9 a.m. Saturday, Raider Nation Celebration continues with Red Raider baseball alumni games at the NWC/MOC-Floyd Valley baseball field.

From 10 a.m. to noon, Morning on the Green will take place on the campus green. The family-friendly carnival will include games and prizes with proceeds to support student clubs and organizations. At 10, members of the reunion classes of 1965 and ’75 can check in at the Ramaker Center for information and campus tours. Members of the reunion classes of 1985 and 2005 can check in at the Vogel Community Room in the DeWitt Learning Commons.

An open house reception introducing NWC’s new history book, “Pursuing the Light,” will begin at 10:30 a.m. in the DeWitt Learning Commons, with a brief program at 11 a.m. featuring readings from the book. A hymn sing will be held at 10:45 a.m. in Christ Chapel.

A tailgate picnic lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the campus green. The cost is $10 for adults and $8 for children ages 6 to 10; children five and under eat free. Space for the reunion classes of 1965, ’75, ’85 and ’05 will be reserved under the tailgate tent.

The Red Raider football team will kick off against Hastings College at 1:30 p.m. During halftime, the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award winners will be recognized and the dance team will perform. To reserve tickets, visit nwcraiders.com/tickets.

A come-and-go social time will be held from 4–6 p.m. at Gezellig in downtown Orange City (109 Central Ave. NE). Complementary appetizers will be provided and a cash bar will be available.

The men’s soccer team will play host to Mount Marty at 5 p.m., with the women’s contest following at 7:30.

A 5:30 p.m. banquet in Vermeer Dining Room will celebrate Northwestern’s 2025 Distinguished Alumni: Grant Hegstad ’10, Orange City; Dr. James C. Kennedy ’84, Amersfoort, Netherlands; Capt. Robin (Van Oosterhout ’92) Lewis, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina; and Dan ’94 and Tricia (Vander Waal ’94) Vermeer, Pella, Iowa.

At 7 p.m. Saturday, Northwestern’s music ensembles will present their first concert of the year in Christ Chapel.

All alumni and friends of Northwestern as well as students’ family members are invited to Raider Nation Celebration. For more information, visit nwciowa.edu/homecoming, or contact Carrie Anderson at codell@nwciowa.edu or 712-707-7110.