Central Methodist University alumni will return en masse for the annual Homecoming celebration this weekend, with events kicking off on Friday and continuing through Sunday.

The Office of Advancement and Alumni Relations has planned several events to provide returning alumni with the opportunity to reconnect and create new memories, starting with a Faculty Forum featuring Dr. Robert “Tad” Perry ’65 at noon on Friday. The afternoon will also feature a celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Morrison Observatory, as well as a celebration of life for the late Dr. John Carter, who passed away in August.

On Friday evening, a special Homecoming Kickoff Celebration will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on the fourth floor of the Inman Student Center. A $20 ticket to the event will grant access to food, drinks, and a celebration of Eagle pride through the years at CMU.

The Eagles volleyball team will host Baker at 7 p.m. in Puckett Fieldhouse on Friday evening, kicking off a weekend of athletic competition.

The annual Homecoming Parade begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday morning around the Fayette square, with many of Central’s most revered and long-serving faculty and retired professors serving as the grand marshals. The parade will feature a “Battle of the Decades” theme, showcasing the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s. Following the parade, the Davis Field parking lot will open for tailgating, including the Alumni Tailgate hosted by the CMU Alumni Board.

At 11 a.m., Central will celebrate the dedication of the Reardon Family Field, honoring the service of Coaches Pat and Gene Reardon and family to the Eagle athletic department and the softball team in particular. (See additional story on Page 7).

The football game will kick off at 1 p.m. against Benedictine College at Davis Field. Later, the women’s and men’s soccer teams will face off with Mount Mercy at 5 and 7:30 p.m., respectively.

Off campus, Alpha Phi Gamma (MOKERs) will celebrate 80 years with an anniversary banquet at the Isle of Capri Casino in Boonville.

Downtown, longtime Homecoming institution, Mac’s, and new restaurant Lafayette on the Square will have drink and food specials all day Saturday with bloody Mary’s before the parade. (See advertisements inside this newspaper).

Sunday morning events will begin with a church service at 10:30 a.m. at Linn Memorial United Methodist Church. As is tradition, all choir alumni are invited to join the choir in singing “Beautiful Savior.”

Finally, the annual Alumni Awards Brunch will close out the festivities, beginning at 11:45 a.m. in the Inman Student Center. Distinguished Alumni awardees this year include Bill Chott ’91, Beverly Garner ’88, Kristofferson Culmer ’06, and Marvin Manring ’85. Young Alumni to be awarded are Geofrey Bilabaye ’15, Dr. Shayna Burchett ’13, and Chris Ebright ’11. A Service Award will also be posthumously given to Jeff Hogenmiller ’70.

For more event details and ticket/registration links, visit the Alumni Events page at https://www.centralalumnievents.com/.

To sign up for the Homecoming parade, use the QR code on the advertisement on Page 11.