Mark it a success!
Hundreds of Kangaroo alumni “came home” and family members gladly reunited with students during the College’s Homecoming and Family Weekend in October 2017. Something was offered for everyone, from Kids College activities for the younger guests to sports competitions in soccer, swimming, and football; from alumni art exhibits to “An Evening in Paris” Community Series performance; and more. A number of faculty even opened their classrooms to alumni and parents wanting a taste of Austin College academics.
The weekend was highlighted by “A Conversation with President Steven P. O’Day,” with interim president Mike Imhoff asking questions to introduce the incoming 16th president to alumni and parents.
The creation of a writing resource center has been a priority of the College’s 2015-2020 strategic plan. A portion of the 2016 estate gift from Lemuel Scarbrough Jr. ’58 established the Scarbrough Center for Writing, and it was dedicated during the celebratory weekend. New director Dr. Lisha Daniels Storey is hard at work with students and faculty.
The Family Weekend side of things offered special sessions on internships and study abroad opportunities. A coffee hour with faculty allowed parents to meet students’ mentors or reconnect with those they met during Opening of School activities.
Traditional gatherings of alumni groups—choir, theatre, law, education, health, and LGBT—provided connections, as did Greek reunions and many other opportunities to join with friends old and new. Several faculty took advantage of the opportunity to have alumni share career and graduate school experiences with current students.
Alumni were honored at the Distinguished Alumni and Service Awards dinner, and others served as interview volunteers to assist student participants in the Career-Readiness Check, coordinated by Career Services.
Whether reliving student days, dancing the night away at the Saturday Homecoming celebration, or just enjoying time with family, ’RooNation collectively marked the weekend in the books as a success. Let’s do it again next year!