Concordia Homecoming Weekend Commences
by Corrianne Cain
Friday, Oct. 7 marked the beginning of Homecoming weekend at Concordia. Students were seen in their Bulldog pride apparel, following the day’s Homecoming dress-up theme..
In the midst of classes and regular extracurricular activities, students, faculty and staff welcomed visitors and alumni to campus with an exciting plan to kick off the weekend events.
Friday morning began with chapel that was held in Weller Hall at the regular time. Many guests joined in for the tradition of daily worship at Concordia, which created a fuller chapel.
Alumni gathered in the Janzow Campus Center top level to register and meet up with former classmates, socializing and sharing stories and memories of their time at Concordia.
Sisters and Concordia alumni Mary Hussmann and Martha Bickel shared that the weekend was off to a good start and that they enjoyed the service in the newly renovated chapel, a contrast to the dark chapel that they remembered from their college days.
Throughout the afternoon, multiple open houses and campus tours provided alumni and visitors with opportunities to witness the changes that have occurred in campus facilities and programs, but also to see the integral elements of Concordia’s mission that have stayed consistent throughout the university’s history. Guests could participate in student-led tours or choose to visit the Marxhausen Art Gallery, Center for Liturgical Art, or the Bartels Museum.
In the evening, alumni athletes gathered for the Concordia Athletic Hall of Fame dinner banquet and induction of athletes in the Cattle Conference Room.
Students had the opportunity to attend Praise in the Outdoor Chapel located behind David Hall, where they joined for worship songs, prayer, a message, s’mores and fellowship, which were all celebrated around a bonfire.
“I love having Praise outside,” junior and Praise worship leader Jan Steinbrueck said. “It’s God’s beautiful creation and there is no better place to worship Him. Gene Brooks did an amazing job with his message, per usual. It was a good ending to a wonderful week.”
After Praise, students and guests gathered for the Mini-Improvathon, held in the Janzow Campus Center top level. The event took place from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday morning, and featured IMPROVables members and audience participants as they were led through a variety of improvisation games based on themes suggested by the audience.
The school week has ended, but the Homecoming festivities will continue Saturday. The Homecoming Fair will take place in Holthus Plaza from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the Bulldog football game against Briar Cliff University will follow at 1 p.m. The women’s and men’s soccer teams will also compete against Mount Marty College, at 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. respectively. All three athletic contests will take place in Bulldog Stadium.
