Homecoming theme pays tribute to Millikin's illustrious past and celebrates the future
Millikin University will celebrate Homecoming and Family Weekend 2018 will a full week of activities culminating the weekend of Oct. 5-7 when hundreds of alumni and friends return to campus.
This year's theme, "Old, New, Big Blue," will pay tribute to Millikin's illustrious past and celebrate its bright future.
Homecoming Week activities will start on Tuesday, Oct. 2 as Millikin University will host its annual Homecoming Talent Show at 7 p.m. in Kirkland Fine Arts Center featuring student performers. Millikin's annual Chalk the Walk will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 3 from 12 noon – 5 p.m. behind Shilling Hall on Millikin's campus.
On Friday, Oct. 5, Alumni Award recipients will be honored at a celebratory dinner and program in the Bob and Debi Johnston Banquet Rooms on the 3rd floor of the University Commons from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. This year's honorees are:
• Alumnus of the Year Award: Gary Workman, class of 1965
• Merit-Loyalty Award: Kevin Mathews, class of 1990
• Merit Award: Bill Lay, class of 1971
• Loyalty Award: Bill Heyduck, class of 1953
• Young Alumnus Award: Britteny Dunson Soto, class of 2010
During the evening hours on Oct. 5, Millikin alumni are invited to enjoy the sounds of several MU alumni bands during the Welcome Home Oakwood Block Party starting at 6 p.m. The block party will feature music from the Eric Burgett Band, Sunshine Daydream and Illinois Nationals.
On Saturday, Oct. 6, Millikin's Homecoming and Family Weekend Parade will kick off at 10 a.m. The parade will begin at the corner of Wood Street and Oakland Avenue, go east on Wood Street to Pine Street, turn north on Pine Street, then head west on Main Street, ending at the corner of Main Street and Fairview Avenue.
On Saturday evening, the Big Blue Football team will take on the Carroll University Pioneers under the lights at 6:30 p.m. at Frank M. Lindsay Field.
Following the football game, the local community can join 2010 alumnus Joel Kim Booster who returns for a one-night comedy show at 9 p.m. at Kirkland Fine Arts Center. An L.A.-based comedian and writer, Booster has been featured on Conan, Comedy Central and TruTv. He was recently named as one of Forbes 2018 "30 Under 30" in entertainment and is on Esquire's 2017 list of "10 Best Stand-Up Comedians to Watch."
On Sunday, Oct. 7, Athletic Hall of Fame inductees will be honored at the Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Brunch, held in the Bob and Debi Johnston Banquets Rooms in the University Commons from 12 noon – 2 p.m. This year's inductees are:
• Allison Horne, class of 2011, soccer
• Anthony McClain, class of 1992, football and baseball
• Charles "Ed" Stanley, class of 1980, football
• Tessi Taylor, class of 2001, softball
The weekend's festivities conclude Oct. 7 at 2 p.m. with the annual Choral Concert at Central Christian Church, featuring members of the University Choir and Alumni Choir. This year's performance will honor the late Kay Hoffland, former assistant director of choral music.
Some of the Homecoming and Family Weekend events have fees and require reservations. For more information and to register by the Oct. 1 deadline, contact Millikin University's Alumni and Development Office at 217.424.6383 or visit millikin.edu/homecoming.
Millikin Homecoming and Family Weekend 2018 Events
Friday, Oct. 5
12 p.m.
Communication Dept. Lunch and Learn
5 p.m.
After 5 Live at Blue Connection
6 p.m.
Welcome Home Oakwood Block Party
7:30 p.m.
Alumni Band Performance
Saturday, Oct. 6
10 a.m.
Homecoming and Family Weekend Parade
11 a.m.
James Millikin Homestead Ice Cream Social
6:30 p.m.
Big Blue Football vs. Carroll University
9 p.m.
Joel Kim Booster '10 Comedy Show at Kirkland Fine Arts Center
Sunday, Oct. 7
2 p.m.
University Choir and Alumni Choir Concert
2 p.m.
School of Theatre & Dance Production of William Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar"