A hot-air balloon ride offered the best way to take in all of Samford University’s homecoming activities Oct. 25, and hundreds of alumni and families did just that. The opportunity for a bird’s-eye view of the beautiful, busy campus was popular with adults and children, alike.
Dozens of affinity groups and organizations enjoyed reminiscing under tents that dotted the campus.
Two groups enjoyed special reunions: A Cappella Choir members who honored retired music dean and choir director Gene Black (see story, page 5), and 1971 national championship football team members.
The 1971 Bulldog team was joined by their former head coach, Wayne Grubb, as well as teammate Gary Cooney, who flipped the coin to start the Homecoming game against The Citadel. Earlier, it was announced that the new football building under construction will be named the Cooney Family Field House following a lead gift made by Cooney in honor of his parents and other relatives.
Pregame activity included the introduction of alumni of the year: Bennie Bumpers ’63, of Birmingham; and Paula Smith Hovater ’69 and Rod Hovater ’67, both of Roswell, Ga.
Halftime ceremonies featured the crowning of this year’s Homecoming queen, Emily Gettys, a senior nursing major from Alexander City. Billy Gunter, a senior music major from Pelham was named Honor Escort. They were elected by vote of the student body.
The Homecoming court also included seniors Rocky Alling, of Birmingham; Caroline Johnson, of Cordova, Tenn.; Susan Macfarland, of Winnetka, Ill.; and Nathan Troost, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; juniors Tai Richardson, of Opelika; and Ben Telfair, of Tallahassee, Fla.; sophomores Maggie Cravens, of Washington, Ga.; and Tyler Mathews, of Springville; and freshmen Mary Evelyn Todd, of Hoover; and Lars Larson, of St. Petersburg, Fla.
Sunday’s events included a worship service led by Samford professor Jim Barnette. In his “Homecoming Servants” sermon, Barnette urged worshipers to avoid using narrow criteria to judge and label people, but to offer unquestioning, “uncomplicated grace” and dignity to a sinner who comes home.
The service highlighted the 60th anniversary of Samford Sunday, a program that connects the university, its ministerial students and Alabama Baptist churches. Barnette is the current faculty adviser for the student-led program. (SU)
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