Huntingdon Celebrates Homecoming Weekend

Montgomery, Ala. – On October 13 and 14, hundreds of Huntingdon alumni returned to their alma mater to celebrate the 2023 Huntingdon College Homecoming.  Beautiful skies added to the festive atmosphere for a weekend of reunions, special recognitions, and the opportunity for hundreds of visitors to experience Huntingdon for the first time. Here’s a recap of the weekend experience.

Heart of Huntingdon Campaign Launch

On Friday, Ligon Chapel was full as Huntingdon President J. Cameron West announced the launch of the Heart of Huntingdon Campaign, a $17 million fundraising effort to build a wellness center in the heart of the Huntingdon campus.  Once completed, the project located in the existing footprint of Pratt and Hanson Hall will include a third gymnasium on campus, a strength and conditioning facility, an indoor walking track, and an outdoor swimming pool. For more information about the Heart of Huntingdon campaign, please visit opkwt.exxxk.com/heart-of-huntingdon.

Golden Hawks Luncheon

Julia Russell Dining Hall was the scene as dozens of Golden Hawks walked down memory lane and feasted on a buffet of poppyseed chicken casserole, green beans, fresh salad, and an assortment of pecan pies and pound cakes.  The Golden Hawks luncheon brings alumni who have graduated 50 years ago or more together for a time of reminiscing and fellowship.  There was an especially large number of graduates from the classes of 1963, 1968 and 1973 celebrating their 60th, 55th and 50th class reunions, respectively.

Alumni Awards Ceremony

Eight alumni of distinction were honored in Ligon Chapel Friday afternoon with the 2023 Alumni Awards.  The following individuals were honored as part of this occasion:

• Dr. Jacqueline Trimble ’83, Alumni Achievement in the Arts Award.
• Dr. Leah Nesbitt Kottyan ’05, Alumni Achievement in the Sciences Award.
• Dr. William “Sonny” Bozeman ’67, Alumni Achievement in Education Award.
• The Honorable Terry Moorer ’83, Alumni Achievement in Law and Public Service Award.
• Mrs. Lucinda Smilie Chappelle ’79, Alumni Achievement in Business Award.
• Rev. Emily Dueitt Kincaid ’06, Alumni Achievement in Religion Award.
• Mrs. Amy Woodard Klugh ’96, Alumni Loyalty Award.
• Dr. Dexter Dean ’13, Outstanding Young Alumni Award.

Fall Meeting of the Alumni Board

Alumni Board President Drew Harrell ’11 presided over the Fall meeting of the Alumni Board.  The Board had an opportunity to hear from Senior Vice President Dr. Anthony Leigh about the strong Fall 2023 enrollment and the fundraising effort for the Heart of Huntingdon campaign. He reported that $8.5 million of the $17 million fundraising goal has been achieved.  The Alumni Board represents alumni of all decades.

Scarlet and Grey Soiree

The Montgomery Country Club played host to a fun evening of music, cocktails, dinner and conversation for many alumni of the 1960s and 1970s.  A number of members of the class of 1968 and friends ventured to the home of Mary George Jester ’68 for an after-party.

Young Alumni Gathering

Young Hawks filled Moe’s BBQ on Fairview Avenue late into the evening on Friday while Rhett Butler ’13 and friends played songs for all to enjoy.  The Alumni Office was pleased that several lacrosse alumni were able to attend the event following the lacrosse alumni game instead of needing trips to the emergency room.

Preview Day

On Saturday, the Office of Admission rolled out the scarlet carpet for over 150 prospective students and their families as part of the first Preview Day of the Fall semester. Friendly student tour guides led our special visitors around campus on a day with Chamber of Commerce weather.  If you know a student who would be a good fit for Huntingdon, please encourage them to attend the next Preview Day on November 11.

Athletic Hall of Fame

Five new plaques were added to the Athletic Hall of Fame wall in Roland Arena on Saturday morning.  Inducted into the class of 2023 were Jeff Hall ’86, Juliette Harp ’18, Ira Mitchell ’69, Anthony White ’17 and Jakob Works ’16.  Many family members, friends, former teammates and current student-athletes were on hand to honor the athletic accomplishments of these five great Hawks.

Pre-Game Tailgate Party

Hawks from across the decades crowded the upstairs rooms at Montgomery Country Club for a pre-game tailgate party.  Scarlet and grey banners and pennants proclaiming the four historic names of our College – Tuskegee Female College, Alabama Conference Female College, Woman’s College of Alabama, and Huntingdon – were prominently displayed throughout.  Friends were reunited, sliders and chicken fingers were devoured, lots of pictures were taken, and a good time was had by all before venturing out to the soccer and football games on campus.

Huntingdon Men’s Soccer Senior Day

Prior to the start of the men’s soccer game against Berea, Huntingdon honored nine seniors for their service to the program. We congratulate Davis Edwards, Sy Garrett, Sebastian Guerrero, A.J. Jonas, Liam Kearns, Nathaniel Smith, Robert Wejroch, Tyler Wilson, and Alec Wojak and wish them well in the rest of their season, their senior year at Huntingdon, and life beyond the College.

Royal Hawks

Twenty-three Huntingdon students lined the football field at halftime of the football game for recognition as part of the 2023 Homecoming Court.  Nevaeh McIntyre ’24 of Pelham, Alabama, was crowned Homecoming Queen.  Walt Williams ’24 of Boaz, Alabama, was named Mr. Huntingdon.  Fifteen former May Queens and Homecoming Queens joined the Court on the field along with Hunter Warr ’23, the 2022 Mr. Huntingdon.

Huntingdon Soars Past Maryville

In a back and forth battle against conference rival Maryville, the Huntingdon football team rallied to win the Homecoming football game 28-21 in front of a packed W. James Samford, Jr. Stadium.  Tyler England ’24 scored a touchdown on a punt return late in the fourth quarter to give the Hawks the lead and the win.  Casey Peppers ’24 set the all-time school record for tackles in a career.  The Huntingdon Marching Scarlet and Grey sounded great, the Huntingdon cheerleaders added energy on the sidelines, and the endzones were full of tailgates and highly spirited Hawks.

Wrestling Intrasquad Meet

The women and men of Huntingdon wrestling faced off in an intrasquad meet in front of a full stadium ring of fans around the mat late Saturday afternoon. Their competition seasons will kick off in November.

Spirit Cup Winner

Huntingdon Greek organizations competed all week for the annual Homecoming Spirit Cup.  Organizations received points for participating in the hygiene supply drive for local missions, displaying spirit banners, attending the Monday night karaoke party, Tuesday Night Worship, Wednesday night trivia, and Hawk Madness on Thursday evening.  Congratulations to the men of Lambda Chi Alpha for their tremendous spirit during Homecoming Week and for capturing the 2023 Spirit Cup.

Huntingdon College, founded in 1854, continues a legacy of faith, wisdom, and service through a liberal arts academic tradition grounded in the Judeo-Christian heritage of the United Methodist Church.

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Huntingdon College, in accordance with Title IX and Section 106.8 of the 2020 Final Rule under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, other applicable federal and state law, and stated College policy, prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex.  Similarly, it prohibits discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, religion, age and/or national origin in its education program