After a two-year absence, Davis & Elkins College will return to an in-person Homecoming & Family Weekend with events planned Friday, Sept. 30 through Sunday, Oct. 2 for alumni, families and friends. Highlighting the activities are Founders’ Day Convocation, alumni and student awards, athletic contests and class reunions.
Registration for alumni and families takes place from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 30 and 8:30-11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 1 in the Great Hall of Halliehurst. Registration ensures alumni and families have a reservation for every event during the weekend and provides support for Homecoming activities.
Events for Sept. 30 include a mini-wellness fair, and an open house and reception at The Naylor Center for families and alumni of the William James House and Supported Learning Program. The evening features an alumni football reunion; special dinner for members of the Half Century Club and induction of the 1970, 1971 and 1972 classes; bingo and an all-campus reception.
Award ceremonies, athletic contests and entertainment highlight the day and evening on Oct. 1. The College will induct its newest members to the Athletic Hall of Fame just prior to a campus picnic. Honorees this year are Carol Kemmerle Ballay ’82, Karl “Digger” Largie ’79, Sue Fleming ’88, George Middleton ’62, T. Richard “Dick” Harvey ’78 and “Spirit of D&E Football.”
The Senator Women’s soccer team will take on Alderson-Broaddus University at Nuttall Field and Miss D&E and Mr. Senator will be crowned following the match. The Senators baseball team will play a scrimmage against Appalachian Aces at Allen Athletic Fields.
Graceland will be the site of a 2 p.m. paint ‘n sip with a special toast to Dr. Gloria M. Payne. At 4 p.m., the Founders’ Day Convocation, featuring special recognitions and alumni awards, will take place in Myles Center for the Arts Harper-McNeeley Auditorium. Dr. Mary Ann Stripling, great-granddaughter of the College’s third founder, Augustus Houston Hamilton, will give the Founders’ Day address. Honors will be presented to Joyce Butler McKee Allen, Crystal Mace award; G. Marion Brady ’49, Distinguished Alumnus; Louis W. Stark ’76, Tower Award; and Houston T. Darling ’14, Outstanding Young Alumnus. Students and faculty also will be recognized for their achievements.
An alumni football dinner is scheduled at Jimbo’s Place, and a chapel and memorial service is set for 7 p.m. At dark, fireworks presented by D&E and the Mountain State Forest Festival, will light up the skies and a party in The Icehouse with music by the alumni band The Hybrids will cap off the evening.
On Oct. 2, families and alumni are invited to a Farewell Breakfast Buffet in Madden Student Center and a worship service at Davis Memorial Presbyterian Church that will begin at 11 a.m. To close out the weekend festivities, the men’s soccer team will spring into action with a contest against Alderson Broaddus University at 7 p.m. at Nuttall Field.
For a complete schedule of events and registration, visit https://www.dewv.edu/alumni/events/
