Seniors Levi Hartschuh and Makenzie O’Neil reigned over Wilmington College homecoming festivities as king and queen.
Submitted photo
WILMINGTON, Ohio — Sunshine and the high 80s prevailed as hundreds of Wilmington College alumni, families and friends joined students and the campus community for Homecoming/Family Day/Alumni Reunion Weekend on Sept. 21.
The annual fall tradition was chock full of reunions, award recognition, Quaker sports, festivities and fun as all parties renewed their ties with the institution.
Festivities got underway Friday afternoon with mud volleyball as the men’s basketball and swimming teams went one-two in the annual tournament. Also, members of the Class of 1994 got together for an early start to the weekend. Other class reunions held throughout the weekend involved the classes of 1964, 1974, 1984, 2004 and 2014. Indeed, the Class of ’74 received their Quaker Emeriti Medallions, signifying a half-century since their graduation. Also, alumni from Fraternity and Sorority Life and other special affinity groups gathered together.
Seniors Levi Hartschuh and Makenzie O’Neil reigned over homecoming festivities as king and queen. Their court featured: senior attendants — Curtis Spanger, Shannon O-Boyle, Aubrey Schwartz and Sterling Goodwin; junior attendants — Zach McGuirt and Lexi Ward; sophomore attendants — Tyler Barth and Jocelyn Franz; and freshmen attendants — Chris Powers and Ella Cutright.
The college recognized several alumni with special awards at a brunch held in their honor. They include Brendan Fetters, Class of 2004, Alumni Citation for Distinguished Contributions to Education; Craig Adams, Class of 1979, Alumni Citation for Professional Achievement; David Castro, Class of 1973, John Frazier Award for Distinguished Volunteer Service; and Jessica Veite-Eiser, Class of 2012, Young Alumni Award.
A special reunion of former players, coaches and fans from the late coach Bill Ramseyer’s era as football coach (1972 to 1990) helped dedicate the walkway between Hermann Court and Williams Stadium designated as “Ramseyer Way.”
Prior to the Quakers’ football game with Muskingum, a walking tour of Hazard Arboretum, titled “The ‘T’ in Industry Stand for Trees” was led by alumnus Brad Schwamberger. Also, the annual Greek Bed Races were held and a host of family-friendly activities on Collett Mall featured inflatables, yard games and “extreme attractions” like zip lining, mechanical bull and Dizzy X Maze.
No one went hungry or thirsty with Food Truck Alley vendors offering a variety of refreshments on Elm Street. Besides announcing the homecoming king, queen and court during halftime ceremonies, the 2024 class of the Athletic Hall of Fame strode to midfield for the 2024 induction class introduction. They include Terry Rupert, athletic director from 1996 through 2022; Sam Hood Rohrbacher, Class of 2007, women’s basketball; Dee Vaughn, Class of 1990, men’s soccer; Curt Clifford Class of ’77, football; and Christian Patterson, Class of 2014, track and field and basketball.
Muskingum University defeated the Quakers in football 42-13 while the men’s soccer team remained undefeated with a 7-1 win over Earlham College in the Quaker Bowl Rivalry.
