Lee Homecoming To Begin Friday

Lee University’s Homecoming weekend begins Friday and hundreds of alumni are expected to attend.

"The older we get, the more we value getting together with friends from our youth,” said Dr. Jerome Hammond, vice president for University Relations at Lee.

The weekend will host a variety of events and will begin with Check-In on Friday from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. in the Science and Math Complex, where alumni will receive their official Homecoming T-shirt. Those not arriving until Saturday can check in that morning from 8-11 in the Higginbotham Administration Building’s lobby. 

Along the South Campus lacrosse field, families will find food and games for all from 8-10 p.m. at the Homecoming Block Party on Friday. 

Various sporting events will take place throughout the weekend. To kick start the weekend’s basketball games, a Flame Walk and a Tailgate with food, music, prizes, and games will take place on the Pedestrian Mall at 11 a.m. Beginning at noon, the Lady Flames will take on Covenant College, followed by the Flames, who will play against Bryan College. The Homecoming Court will be announced and the queen crowned during halftime. 

One of the most popular events of Homecoming weekend, Department Breakfasts, will take place Saturday morning at 9. This networking opportunity will allow alums to mingle with current professors and students. Each breakfast will include a keynote speech from a distinguished alum, and a department award will be given to an alum who excels in each field, respectively. 

Alumni will have a chance to attend the unique event, the Blessing of the Couples, in the Lee Chapel on Saturday morning. This will be a short ceremony and blessing officiated by Lee alum and former faculty Dr. Ben Perez. 

Those with an interest in the cinematic arts will want to attend the Short Film Showcase at 3 p.m. in the Communication Arts Building. The showcase allows current students, staff, faculty, and recent alumni to show off their short films in the screening room. 

Lee’s Peer Leaders, selected upperclassmen who help freshmen in their first year, will celebrate their 20th anniversary with a gathering on Saturday afternoon. 

“For 20 years, Peer Leaders have been building bridges and connections on Lee’s campus to help other students succeed,” said Rochelle Mayberry, director of first year programs. “We know that much of this success is due to the collective impact of upperclassmen choosing to intentionally influence, challenge, and support their peers who are just beginning their transition to college.” 

Saturday evening, Lee’s School of Music will display its array of musicians at the Homecoming Music Festival in the Conn Center. The program will feature performances from Lee’s ensembles and choirs. 

An anniversary chapel service will be held Sunday morning to celebrate Lee’s Evangelistic Singers’ 50th year anniversary. At 5 p.m. that afternoon, a live recording will take place at North Cleveland Church of God, followed by a mixer. 

This Homecoming will host the celebrations of anniversaries for the Greek service clubs Pi Kappa Pi, Omega Alpha Phi, and TAU Kappa Omega (TKO), who will have various activities to commemorate the occasions. 

Lee’s improvisation team, Shenanigans, will celebrate its 10th year with two performances, 9 and 11 p.m., to honor this occasion. Guests will want to arrive early to the shows on Saturday night, because they typically sell out quickly. The shows will be held in the Dixon Center, and admission is $1 per person. 

A dessert mixer in the John Nichols Courtyard will conclude the weekend of festivities. 

The basketball games and the Music Festival will be open to the public, and tickets will be available at the door while supplies last. 

“We have so many different types of events planned that everyone is sure to find something they’ll want to be a part of this Homecoming,” said Patti Cawood, director of alumni relations at Lee. 

For a complete schedule or to register, visit http://www.leehomecoming.com/. To access a Homecoming guide and receive schedule updates throughout the weekend, download the LeeUEvents app for mobile phones.