Stay-at-Homecoming celebrates alumni and GCC legacy

Grove City College is forgoing in-person Homecoming 2020 events for alumni and friends in favor of a week-long virtual Stay-at-Homecoming celebration the week of Sept. 28 to Oct. 3.

The change reflects the College’s commitment to maintaining the health and safety of the campus community in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. While alumni and friends won’t be able to gather on campus, student activities and traditions will continue as planned with some modifications in accordance with the College’s Fall Return Plan.

For the off-campus audience, the Office of College and Alumni Relations has developed a series of online events to celebrate Grove City College’s rich history and noted alumni, including: a Q & A with new Board Chair Ed Breen ’78 and his wife Lynn (Branstner ’78) Breen; the debut of “The Life of the Mind: Great Lectures from the Grove” series; and a tribute to the winners of the 2020 Jack Kennedy Memorial Alumni Achievement and Distinguished Service Awards.

“While we wish we could see all of our alumni and friends back on campus, we are still excited for the many virtual events that can bring us together during these unprecedented times,” Melissa (Trifaro ’96) MacLeod, senior director of Alumni and College Relations, said. “We value any chance to connect, give and celebrate our Grover roots and look forward to 2021, when we expect to have the ‘Best. Homecoming. Ever.’ ”

MacLeod will offer an online Homecoming Welcome at noon on Sept. 28 to kick off the week.

Alumni can find a detailed schedule and links to exclusive live-streams of events at www.alumni.gcc.edu/homecoming. Here are some of the highlights for the week:

• Q & A with Board Chair Ed Breen ’78 and Lynn (Branstner ’78) Breen – What better time than Homecoming week to get to know Grove City College's new Chairman of the Board and his wife. Join Lisa Adams Gordon '78 at noon on Sept. 29 as she asks the Breens about their time as students and this new exciting chapter of their lives.
• Dr. Carl Trueman, Great Lectures from the Grove – Grove City College will debut the first lecture of a free online series “The Life of the Mind: Great Lectures from the Grove” at noon Sept. 30. Noted Christian thought leader and Professor of Biblical and Religious Studies Trueman will present “Makers of the Modern Revolution,” an eight-part series that covers Rousseau, Marx, Wilde, Nietzsche and others who shaped the way the world thinks today.
• The Manhattan Project- Livestreamed Lecture featuring Prof. Richard Leo – Leo, 2004 Professor of the Year, returns from retirement to reprise his popular dramatic interpretation of the history of the nuclear option from the perspectives of project heads Dr. Richard Oppenheimer and General Leslie Groves at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 1.
• Jack Kennedy Memorial Alumni Achievement and Distinguished Service Awards – Join in the celebration of the  achievements of these notable alumni who have done so much to bring honor to their alma mater. The college will honor Robert D. King ’69, Lisa (Adams ’78) Gordon, David H. Peiffer ’81, and Chairman Emeritus David R. Rathburn ’79 at noon on Oct. 1.
• Special Message from President Paul J. McNulty ’80 – Homecoming Saturday starts at noon with a message from the President of Grove City College.
• Homecoming Swag Day – Show your Grover Spirit on Oct. 1 by putting on some College swag (a GCC hat, t-shirt, sweatshirt, etc.), snapping a selfie and sending it to the Alumni office so they can feature it on social media. It’s a great way to make campus feel not quite so far away.

Other events on the Stay-at-Homecoming schedule include livestreams of the Annual Powder Puff game, Java Jam, Student Chapel Worship, Homecoming Vespers Service, Varsity Game Night and the coronation of the Homecoming King and Queen.

For more information, visit www.alumni.gcc.edu/homecoming.

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