News

Over the past 53 years Lee University graduates have come together annually to celebrate and remember. Homecoming 2013 is rapidly approaching and the Lee family looks forward to a time when old friends can reunite.

Homecoming begins Friday, Nov. 1, at noon, with a check-in buffet in the Science and Math Complex (SMC) and culminates with a dessert mixer on Saturday, Nov. 2, at 9 p.m. in the Chapel Courtyard. Throughout the weekend, Lee will be hosting numerous events to welcome alumni back to campus.

“We are launching several new events that we believe will appeal to many new alumni segments,” said Director of Alumni Relations Patti Cawood. “This Homecoming we have made a real effort to produce a menu of varied and unique offerings to reflect our diversity and varied interests.”

Back for a third year is the Check-In Buffet open Friday, 12-2 p.m. in the SMC Great Room. Check-In will continue until 6 p.m. on Friday. T-shirts, a photo booth, and a sampling of campus restaurants will be provided at the buffet.

Lee University Theatre will team up with Siyao Li of Lee’s School of Music to present Tony Award Best Play nomination “33 Variations,” written by Moises Kaufman. The play will be performed on Nov. 1-2 at 7 p.m. “33 Variations” won the 2007 Edgerton New American Play Award and 2008 Harold and Mimi Steinberg American Theatre Critics Association New Play Award.

Another event back for its third year is the Alumni Grand Reunion held Friday night from 8-10 p.m. Everyone is welcome to the reunion. The celebration will feature a DJ, festive food such as BBQ sliders, pizza, a chip bar and root beer floats, and time to enjoy the company of all alumni.

The popular student exhibits and the Homecoming Tailgate Party also return this year. The student exhibits begin at 10 a.m. and the tailgate party at noon on Saturday in the Walker Arena parking lot.

The much anticipated Homecoming basketball games will be on Saturday in the Walker Arena. The Lady Flames will face Bryan College at noon followed by the men’s team who will battle Tennessee Temple University at 2 p.m.

A dessert mixer open to all alumni will be held on Saturday at 9 p.m. This relaxed, drop-in event will provide a chance to enjoy desserts and one last opportunity to catch up with others.

The 2013 Homecoming will feature new events including departmental breakfasts, Lawyers at Lee and Blessing of the Couples.

The departmental breakfasts held Saturday at 9 a.m. will provide an opportunity for alumni to reconnect with professors and classmates. An award celebrating a distinguished alumnus for each department will be presented at the event.

Lawyers at Lee will bring together alumni who have graduated from different departments at Lee and continued to law school. This reception will take place on Saturday at 5 p.m.

A Blessing of the Couples at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday will allow Lee University alumni couples to come to the Chapel where Pastor Jimmy Harper will speak a benediction over them for the coming year.

The Lady Flames volleyball team will host Volley for a Cure, an event that has raised more than $85,000 to help find a cure for breast cancer. The game will be Friday at 7 p.m. in the Walker Arena where the Lady Flames will face off against Gulf South Conference opponent Valdosta State.

The annual Homecoming Music Festival will take place Saturday at 7 p.m. in the Conn Center. The program will highlight many of the university’s fine ensembles including Campus Choir, Chamber Strings, Choral Union, Lee Singers, Percussion Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and the Voices of Lee.

The Lee Singers will celebrate their 50th anniversary with a reunion performance on the stage of the Music Festival. The performance will feature current members of Singers as well as Singers alum.

Alpha Gamma Chi, also celebrating their 50th anniversary, will host a golf tournament, family cookout, and breakfast for Chi alum.

To register for Homecoming 2013, to view a complete schedule of events, or for ticket information visit www.leeuniversity.edu/homecoming or call 423-614-8316.