Homecoming 2024 celebrations usher in ‘Golden Hour’ for Mississippi College

Mississippi College has a number of exciting events planned for faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends during MC’s 2024 Homecoming on Oct. 25-26.

The 2024 homecoming celebration features the theme of “Golden Hour.” Festivities begin Friday, Oct. 25 with a golf tournament, and receptions and culminate with Follies. Saturday, Oct. 26 features the National Alumni Association Awards Brunch, homecoming parade, tailgating and football.

Homecoming events include:

Friday, Oct. 25

Homecoming Golf Tournament

Noon, Refuge Golf Club, Flowood (registration required)

MC’s Homecoming festivities will kick off when about two dozen teams compete in the annual four-person scramble in the Homecoming Golf Tournament.

The competition boasts a new venue this year – the newly renovated Refuge Golf Club in Flowood. A cookout lunch for all participants will begin at noon with the tournament to follow at 1 p.m.

Student Media Center Dedication and Reception

1 p.m., Room 116 of the Aven Fine Arts Building

Mississippi College’s state-of-the-art media center will be named for an MC alum and one of the Department of Communication’s most ardent supporters – Beth Baker Janser.

Made possible by a generous gift by Baker Janser and her husband, Kevin, the facility serves as headquarters for the department’s award-winning Blue and Gold Media and provides students with meeting and conference space and equipment for editing and producing their stories.

Follies

7 p.m., Swor Auditorium, Nelson Hall (Sold Out)

An MC Homecoming tradition for a number of years, Follies is a competition that showcases club and tribe members in themed skits with original choreography, music, and sets.

After the performances, awards will be presented for Best Club Performance, Best Tribe Performance, and Best Overall Performance.

Decade of the Seventies/50-Year Club Reunion

7 p.m., Alumni Hall

Members of MC’s Golden Anniversary Class of 1974 will be welcomed into the 50-Year Club by members of the Classes of 1970 through 1979. The 1974 class picture and medal ceremony will take place during this event.

Saturday, Oct. 26

Coach “Hap” Hudson Homecoming 5k Run/Walk

6-9:30 a.m., starting at Cockroft Hall

The Department of Kinesiology’s landmark Homecoming event, the 17th annual 5k race and walk through the streets of Olde Towne Clinton is named for a beloved professor, coach, and member of the MC Athletics Hall of Fame. Coach “Hap” Hudson will be on hand to fire the starter’s pistol at the race.

National Alumni Association Awards Brunch

10 a.m., Anderson Hall, B.C. Rogers Student Center (R.S.V.P. required)

A pillar of Homecoming, the annual brunch sponsored by the National Alumni Association honors the University’s distinguished alumni.

National Alumni Association Award recipients are Jean Pittman Williams ’55, Alumna of the Year; Reed Thomas Nunnelee ’06, ’12, Young Alumnus of the Year; John William “Billy’ Roberts ’72 and Dr. Marcus Thompson ’96, Order of the Golden Arrow; and Bill Sones ‘71, Award of Service.

Distinguished departmental alumni award recipients across all academic areas will also be recognized during the brunch.

MC Singers Concert

12:30 p.m., Provine Chapel

The nationally acclaimed Mississippi College Singers, the University’s premier choral ensemble that has performed at the Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall and has toured throughout Europe and South Africa, will give a Homecoming concert under the direction of Dr. Beth Everett, MC director of choral activities.

Tailgating on the Quad

1 p.m., MC Quad

Reconnect with many of your MC families and friends as we celebrate homecoming with a tailgate on the Quad.

Homecoming Parade

1:30 p.m., College Street

The MC family will celebrate the Choctaw spirit by cheering for MC President Blake Thompson as he leads the National Alumni Association Award recipients, MC Marching Band, cheerleaders, dance team, and football team in the annual Homecoming Parade.

Parade-goers will enjoy seeing the lineup of creative handmade floats and waving to the Homecoming Court in a spectacle that enhances the gameday atmosphere.

Homecoming Football Game

4 p.m., Robinson-Hale Stadium (ticket required)

Homecoming festivities will conclude with a home football game between Mississippi College and Erskine College.

Members of MC’s first GSC championship team in 1979 will be recognized in pregame ceremonies, and the Homecoming Court will be introduced at halftime.

Several school, departmental, social club, and athletics reunions, recognitions, and activities are also slated for Homecoming weekend. For a complete list of activities, visit mc.edu/homecoming.