Homecoming 2020 kicks off with alumni chapel and nacho social

Written by: Daeana Barkubein, area editor

DAYTON, Tenn.—Following the Bryan College alumni chapel on Thurs., Oct. 1, Bryan students, faculty and visiting alumni gathered at 9:00 p.m. in a tent on the Bryan quad for nachos and hot cocoa to kick off Homecoming 2020.

The chapel service opened to visiting alumni and their families who were already on Bryan’s campus to celebrate Homecoming 2020. 

To make the evening special, 1995 alumnus Felipé Arias delivered a stunning rendition of “I Know Jesus” by Scott Wesley Brown, before 1994 alumnus guest speaker, Brock Morgan delivered the message.

After chapel, students, faculty and alumni were invited to a tent in the quad to socialize with each other over nachos and hot cocoa.

Director of Alumni Engagement Paulakay Hall said, “Some alumni haven’t been back since they graduated, and they just pick up right where they left off. It’s like they become kids again. They start telling stories, so that’s really wonderful. It brings back an innocence into their lives.”

This event was just the start of several events that will be happening on Bryan’s campus during Homecoming weekend, and students are encouraged to stay on campus during the weekend to interact with alumni and enjoy the planned events. 

Hall said, “We love students staying on campus and interacting, and that’s one of the things that I’ve really strived to do. It used to be that students [for homecoming weekend] would just all leave, then I thought, ‘What can we do to keep the students here?’”

Further activities planned are the Rock and Roar Dance and Sundaes event at 7:30 p.m. Fri. night on the soccer field, the Tailgate Lunch on Sat. from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and an alumni worship service on Sun. at 10:00 a.m. in Rudd Auditorium.

Daeana Barkubein is a freshman staff writer for the Bryan Triangle majoring in literature and minoring in communication. When not studying, she enjoys knitting, painting and many other hobbies.