More than 500 Bryan alumni and their families flooded onto the campus from Friday through Sunday for Homecoming 2013, bringing their memories and traditions with them.
This year’s extreme and color runs boasted an exciting 180 total participants, including President Stephen Livesay and Corinne Livesay, director of special projects. Clouds of blue, orange, green, red, and pink pigments ballooned into the warm air, covering the runners from head to toe and creating a colorful spectacle none are likely to forget.
During the much-loved annual tailgate lunch, alumni had the chance to greet one another and catch up over a plate of fried chicken. The “Lion Cubs” were invited to get their faces painted and play on giant inflatables and a bounce house manned by the baseball team.
Former Bryan Lions got back into their game during the numerous alumni athletic events, culminating in the presentation of the “All Z Team,” a collection of 18 top athletes who played soccer under Dr. Sandy Zensen and who returned to their alma mater to honor him during halftime at the alumni soccer game.
The weekend featured several impressive recognitions and awards announced at Saturday night’s Alumni Awards Dinner, opened with special music by the Bryan College Chamber Singers and ’03 alumnus Josh Bales. Dr. Gary Phillips spoke on the importance of a biblical worldview, reminding listeners that living intentionally as salt and light in the world takes commitment to seeing oneself and others with God’s eyes.
Honored alumni include Alumni of the Year Dr. Donald and Rachel (Paulson) Reed ’63, Young Alumnus of the Year Josh Bales ’03, and Honorary Alumni of the Year Dr. Robert and Nan Coddington. Inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame this year were John Gosse Jr. ’99 (soccer) and Ibrahim “Abe” Hadzic ’99 (soccer).
Alumni Awards Dinner attendees also celebrated the 100th birthday of James Morring ’38, watching a video especially created for him showing photographs of Bryan College in the 1930s set to the popular music of the era; applause echoed through the dining hall when Morring’s hundred-candled birthday cake was rolled out to him as everyone sang “Happy Birthday” to him.
Homecoming 2013 ended Sunday night with a free concert by popular Christian rock band Audio Adrenaline. Nearly 800 people from the Bryan College community and surrounding areas packed Rudd Auditorium and belted out the lyrics to favorite tunes such as “Big House” (1994), “Get Down” (1999), “Ocean Floor” (2003), and the band’s latest hit “Kings & Queens” (2012). This year’s homecoming was indeed one to remember.