Homecoming Week at Greenville University

Four days of Homecoming festivities at Greenville University promise a lively mix of competitive spirit, family fun and class reunions. Members of the community are invited to the weekend festivities, including a parade, concerts, athletic games, the annual races and more. Greenville University’s Homecoming 2019 premier sponsors include Assurance Agency, Fresh Ideas, HSHS Holy Family Hospital, Midland States Bank, Moneta, WFF and the City of Greenville.

For a complete schedule of activities, including student and alumni athletic games, visit greenville.edu/homecoming.

Thursday – Swinging Kick Off
The Greenville University Jazz Band will kick off Homecoming festivities with a free concert at 7 p.m. in Whitlock Music Center, sponsored this year by Midland State Bank and West & Co. A special Vespers service follows at 9:30 p.m. in the same location.

Friday – Special Guests, Family Fun and Games

Join G.U. President Ivan Filby, faculty, students and Homecoming guests as they recognize recipients of the University’s 2019 Alumni Awards during a chapel service in Whitlock Music Center at 9:30 a.m. This year’s honors go to Distinguished Alumna Carol Wilson ‘81; Outstanding Young Alumnus Aaron Cobb ‘01; and Dr. Gene A. Kamp Loyalty Awardee Tony Smarrella ’88. Print Group sponsors the 2019 Alumni Awards.

Wear your orange and black to cheer on participants of the Homecoming Parade on College Avenue at 4:30 p.m. Participants in the parade include bands, student athletes, honored alumni and local businesses. The parade follows a new route this year. It begins at the north end of Hena Street, moves south, and turns right onto College Avenue. The parade continues west on College and concludes at First Street.

The University invites families and friends in the community to the Panther Palooza at the Greenville town square Friday evening after the parade. The event includes live music performed by GU alumni, games, face painting, bouncy slide and rock climbing inflatables, local food vendors, and a preview of the Greenville SMART Center. Panther Palooza sponsors include the City of Greenville, People’s State Bank, Seven Oaks Realty, Unterbrink Construction and WGEL Radio 101.7.

Athletic events Friday afternoon and evening include the JV vs. alumni football game at 3:30 p.m., men’s and women’s soccer vs. Eureka at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. respectively, baseball vs. alumni at 6 p.m. and women’s volleyball vs. Eureka at 7 p.m. Game sponsors include Midland States Bank and WFF.

The Greenville University Choir will perform in Whitlock Music Center at 7:30 p.m. Sponsored by Assurance Agency and Dairy Queen, this free event is open to the public. A dessert reception with President Ivan and First Lady Kathie Filby follows at 8:30 p.m. The reception is by reservation only for $5 per person. Call 618.664.7119.

Unwind with a performance by improv team Joyous Chaos at 9:30 p.m. on the stage at the Greenville town square.

Saturday – Panther 5K, Athletics and Gatherings

Enjoy a beautiful fall morning and fun competition at the Panther 5K Road Race sponsored this year by APEX Network Physical Therapy and HSHS. Arrive for an 8:30 a.m. start. Interested participants can register online through Tuesday, October 16, with an early-bird rate available through October 8. Runners may also register on race day, beginning at 7 a.m. on Hogue Lawn off College Avenue. Children ages seven years and younger will participate in the Children’s Fun Run on Scott Field at 8 a.m. Older children ages 8-12 will run the College Avenue Dash at 8:15 a.m. Detailed race information including registration for all races is available at greenville.edu/homecoming.

A tailgate lunch, sponsored by WFF and Fresh Ideas, will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Strahl Athletic Complex. The cost is $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 6-11, free for children 5 and under.

The Panthers take on Saint Scholastica in football at 1 p.m., sponsored by the City of Greenville.

Sit down to an all-alumni dinner at 5 p.m. Saturday evening in the Eleanor M. Armington Center. The cost is $15 per person. Advance registration is recommended. Childcare is available by reservation for children ages 10 and younger. Sponsored by Fresh Ideas, Bradford National Bank, and Assurance Agency. Informal gatherings for reunion classes begin at 8 p.m. at venues throughout town. This year’s reunion classes include ’54, ’64, ’69, ’79, ’89, ’94, ’99, ’09 and ’14, as well as young alumni graduates from the classes of 2015-2019. Reunion class sponsors include Creekside Community Brew Coffeehouse, Los Amigos, LuBob’s, Powder Plus Inc., Super 8 Motel, and SureStay Hotel.

Sunday—Worship Services and Brunch

The Greenville University Choir will bring special music to the early worship service at the Greenville Free Methodist Church beginning at 8:30 a.m. The FM Church also offers a contemporary service at 11 a.m.

Attend brunch in the Armington Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. This event is open to the public with a $10/person charge payable at the register.

A Concert Band concert begins at 3 p.m. in Whitlock Music Center sponsored by Taco Bell and Stombaugh’s Heating & Air Conditioning, followed by a reception celebrating 115 years of Concert Band at GU. This event completes the Homecoming 2019 weekend.

For additional information including a complete listing of athletic and alumni games, meal prices and event locations, visit greenville.edu/homecoming, call 618.664.7119 or email alumni@greenville.edu.