Bethel Homecoming 2018
From athletic events to movies to class reunions, there was something for everyone during Bethel’s 2018 Homecoming.
By Katie Johnson ’19, student writer
October 12, 2018 | 3 p.m.
Despite the dreary October weather, Bethel students and alumni brightened campus with their wild displays of school spirit for Homecoming 2018. From student favorites like the men’s dance competition and women’s powderpuff football to alumni class reunions to a showing of Incredibles 2—there was something for everyone in the Bethel community.
The events kicked off on October 1 at 10 p.m., when masses of students—many covered with face paint, flannels, and their residence hall t-shirts—filtered into the Roberson Center gym for the annual cheer night. Various events throughout the week connected students as sweaty bodies fought furiously in the yearly tug-o-war competition and dodgeball tournament. At the homecoming football game—where the Royals took on St. John’s, both undefeated—on Saturday, fans young and old braved the rain to cheer on their Royals.
Bethel also hosted Chapel services honoring the 2018 Seminary Alumna of the Year Heather Flies ’95, S’02 and the 2018 College of Arts & Sciences Alumnus of the year Wiley Scott ’90. As undergraduate students celebrated Homecoming with a banquet Friday night, the Bethel Seminary Class of 1968 attended a reunion dinner while the undergraduate Class of 1968 enjoyed a dessert reception. Nelson Residence Hall was also built in 1968—flanking Kresge Courtyard in the center of campus—and residence life staff held a 50th birthday party outside the dorm.
The weekend concluded with a BUnited in Worship service in Benson Great Hall, led by Tammie Junkans and the Calvary Church Worship Choir—a new-and-improved take on the traditional Homecoming Hymn Sing. And, as always, the student-led Vespers service was open to the public on Sunday evening. The service offered a much-needed transition from the high-energy events of Homecoming to the start of a new week for the Bethel community.
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