MADISONVILLE, Tenn. – From the day-long lineup of entertainment to the
alumni luncheon, tailgate party, crowning of the Homecoming Queen and
the edge-of-your-seat Tigers basketball game, the entire Hiwassee
College campus enjoyed one of its "most successful Homecomings,"
according to Assistant Vice President for Advancement Randy Nelson.
"I was truly amazed by the degree of success we experienced during this
year’s homecoming celebration," said Nelson. "The hundreds of people
that kept campus brimming full all day long was unbelievable."
Homecoming activities began at 10 a.m. where visitors enjoyed live
music, free Mayfield’s ice cream and Coke beverages, an antique car
"cruise-in" and informal gatherings for Hiwassee friends and alumni in
which many past yearbooks were pulled out as old friends reminisced
together.
At noon, a formal alumni banquet was held featuring a speech from
Interim President Dr. James Amburgey and the presentation of the
"Christian Vocation" and "Alumnus of the Year" awards.
In his speech, Amburgey shared recent success stories and goals at
Hiwassee with alumni.
"We’ve experienced a five percent enrollment hike and our faculty is the strongest it’s ever been, with many bringing in degrees from Vanderbilt University, Emory University and even Harvard University," said
Amburgey. "We also have many personal success stories coming out of
Hiwassee. Our women’s soccer team is now ranked 17th in the nation. One
of our alumni is also the prime minister of Jordan."
Amburgey also said, despite the disappointment of the spurious $20
million "donation" offer earlier this year, the college ended up
finishing in the black this summer due to the huge community support
received in fundraising efforts. He added that he believed the
turbulence of the year had actually been good for Hiwassee in the long
run because it "led us to refocus on the goals, mission and identity of
Hiwassee College."
"Our goals continue to be to increase our enrollment and to support the
mission of Hiwassee College and its financial needs," said Amburgey. "We
have already taken some positive steps in this direction and are
currently pursuing a Title III federal grant for instructional equipment for our faculty, as well as a 20 to 30-year bond for building
improvements on campus. However, we continue to rely on the support of
our alumni and friends as we pursue the vision that was, is and will be
Hiwassee College. You are all equipped with the privilege of being a part of Hiwassee’s past and it is your continued support in the present
that will determine Hiwassee’s future."
Distinguished Hiwassee friend and former religion professor, Dr. Evelyn
Laycock, Director of Lay Ministry Center for the Southern Jurisdictional Council at Lake Junalaska, N.C., then offered some reflections on the value of nurturing the ties built at the College.
"Everywhere we go, we find other Hiwassee alumni and when we do, it’s
like finding a family member," said Laycock. "That’s because all
Hiwassee alumni share a special bond: the bond of the Hiwassee
experience – and the Hiwassee experience really is about being a family. It is important that we continue to support this family so that we can enable it to grow and prosper."
Amburgey then presented the "Alumnus of the Year" award to class of ’53
alumnus, Donald R. Youell, President of American Corrugated Products,
Inc. of Columbus, Ohio, and son of former Hiwassee President Donald
"Rudy" Youell.
"Don has provided a solid, steady voice for Hiwasseee in challenging
times and the value of his leadership during the College’s recent crisis
cannot possibly be overstated," said Amburgey. "For this alone, he
deserves the eternal gratitude of all the friends of Hiwassee College.
For a lifetime of love, support and leadership, Don Youell is certainly
deserving of this award."
The "Christian Vocation" award was given in honor of class of ’67
alumnus, the Rev. Ted F. Baker, who was unable to attend the luncheon.
Baker has spent his entire career as a United Methodist minister in the
Holston Conference, serving as a District Superintendent in the Bishop’s Cabinet and preaching at some of the Conference’s largest churches such as the First United Methodist churches of Knoxville and Sevierville and Red Bank Church of Chattanooga.
Hiwassee alumni, students and supporters then enjoyed the tasty Tailgate barbeque festivities along with live karaoke entertainment.
Topping off the evening was the 6 p.m. men’s basketball game against
former College All-Star team "Ten Deep." After a neck-and-neck
nail-biter, the Tigers ended up falling just 13 points short of victory at 71 to 84.
"The game was exciting," said coach Bart Walker. "I was excited about
how many people kept the stands packed. We really had a full house this weekend and our players enjoyed the support. I’m also very appreciative of ‘Ten Deep’ for bringing in such a talented group of players to our Homecoming. Those in attendance loved the opportunity to have conversations with and get autographs from (former) UT players like C.J. Black and Tory Harris."
During halftime, Hiwassee sophomores Danny Bright of Knoxville and
Lauren Kathleen Bridges of Clinton were crowned Homecoming King and
Queen by Amburgey and his wife, Madaline.
A graduate of Anderson County High School, Bridges plans to continue her
education at a four-year institution after obtaining her associate’s
degree from Hiwassee College. During her career at Hiwassee, Bridges has
served as vice president of the Student Government Association, a
resident advisor in Brock Hall, a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honorary society, a member of the soccer and softball teams and a planning committee member of Christian Student Ministries.
A graduate of Clinton High School, Bright plans on pursuing a career in
Christian psychology after completing his education. At Hiwassee, Bright
has served as a resident advisor in Tom Black Hall and a member of the
Phi Theta Kappa Honorary Society, the soccer team, Christian Service
Ministries, Praise Band, Concert Choral and Shalom Vocal Ensemble.
For more information contact Hiwassee Director of Church and Public
Relations Kristi Cain at (423) 420-1245 or via email at
cainkris@hiwassee.edu.
Hiwassee College is a private, coeducational liberal arts College
affiliated with the Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church
and is Tennessee’s only two-year residential Christian College. Since
1849, Hiwassee College has been dedicated to providing an educational
environment for students to fulfill their mental, physical, social and
spiritual potentials. Working and learning on Hiwassee’s 400 acres of
sprawling hills are approximately 450 students and 100 faculty and staff.