News

Lee University’s 2023 Homecoming celebration will begin this Friday, Nov. 3, and continue through Saturday, Nov. 4. Hundreds of alumni and family will gather once again to experience one of Lee’s most anticipated traditions.

“Homecoming is a long-standing beloved tradition at Lee, and we are looking forward to having many of our Lee alumni back on our campus,” said Lee President Dr. Mark Walker. “It’s always good for family to come home! It doesn’t get any better!” 

To open Homecoming, the 1918 Society will host its second annual golf tournament at the Cleveland Country Club. Range and registration will open at 8:30 a.m. The tournament will be a four-person scramble with a 10 a.m. shotgun start. Participants choose their own team to compete with, and there will be prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 13th place, along with closest to the pin and long putt contest winners. All proceeds will go toward Lee’s Annual Alumni Fund. 

Beginning at 10 a.m. on Friday, Homecoming check-in will be open in the Higginbotham Administration Building’s Centenary Room for alumni to stop by, greet old friends, and claim their Homecoming 2023 T-shirt. Check-in will end at 6 p.m. 

On Friday afternoon, alumni are encouraged to attend their school or department’s reception, held at 3:30 p.m. at various locations around campus. After the receptions, the Grand Reunion will take place on the Pedestrian Mall at 4:30 p.m. and will be a time of reconnecting while enjoying food and live music. 

The annual Volley for a Cure volleyball match will take place at 7 p.m. in Walker Arena and raise funds for a scholarship for a Lee student impacted by breast cancer. At 7:30 p.m., Lee Theatre will present a production of “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play” at the Black Box Theater in the Communication Arts building. 

“Homecoming 2023 is right around the corner, and I can’t wait to see so many of our alums and their families on campus,” said Dr. Brad Moffett, vice president for University Relations. “The weather is looking perfect, and we have a great lineup of events, including the 60th anniversary celebrations of Alpha Gamma Chi and Lee Singers, and a wonderful night of music and reflection at the Traditions of Lee event.” 

At 8 p.m. on Friday, Chi and Singers will host their 60th anniversary reunions. Chi alumni will gather at the Alpha Gamma Chi Fountain, and Singers alums will divide themselves by “era” and attend one of four celebrations across campus. Friday night will end with a Shenanigans improv show at 9 p.m. 

Guests who arrive on Saturday will be able to check in from 8-10 a.m. Starting at 8:30 a.m., schools and departments across campus will host their breakfasts. Alumni can visit their school or department for a time of reuniting with professors and former classmates. 

Lee Athletics will host the Flames Alumni Brunch for all former athletes on Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Ray Conn Sports Complex. Former athletes will be able to reconnect with teammates, coaches, and administration, enjoy breakfast and coffee, and hear about the continued championship tradition of the Flames. 

After the brunch, the Homecoming Parade will take place at 11:15 a.m. on the Pedestrian Mall. Both women’s and men’s basketball teams will play directly following the parade, at 12 and 2 p.m., respectively. During halftime of the men’s game, this year’s Homecoming court will be presented, and Homecoming Queen will be announced. 

“It’s almost Homecoming here at Lee,” said Taylor Smith, director of Alumni Relations. “This is the weekend we look forward to all year. I can’t wait see the Ped Mall full of alumni reminiscing on their best days at Lee and celebrating all that makes Lee so special.” 

Current Lee students will showcase their clubs and organizations through their student booths at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday. Booths from nearly every organization at Lee will be set up on the Pedestrian Mall for alumni to visit and meet current members of their former clubs. The Flame Fair, Homecoming’s alumni market, will also be open during this time. 

Other Homecoming events include baseball and softball homerun derbies on Friday at 3 and 4 p.m., respectively; Traditions of Lee, featuring the Lee University Singers Reunion Choir at 7 p.m. on Saturday in the Conn Center; and a second performance of “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play” at 7:30 on Saturday night. 

For tickets and a detailed list of the Homecoming 2023 schedule, visit www.leeuhomecoming.com. 

For more information, contact the Alumni Relations Office at (423) 614-8316 or [email protected].