Freed-Hardeman Alumni, Friends and Students to Celebrate Homecoming Nov. 11-13
Alumni, parents and friends will celebrate Freed-Hardeman University Homecoming 2022: The Story of Us Friday, Nov. 11, through Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022.
"For more than six decades, homecoming has provided the FHU family with opportunities to reconnect with their friends, alma mater and memories,” FHU Director of Alumni Engagement Chris Ramey said. “It is our privilege to host a week that welcomes everyone home."
Alumna Brittany Ringold Evans ('05) of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, has spent several months gathering feedback from social club representatives to add new life to social club competitions that have been held since the 1990s. These events begin Nov. 6 and include window painting, bonfire, powder puff football, basketball tournament, campus-wide singing, canstruction, fun and glow run, Lion Walk, tailgating, and election and coronation of homecoming court.
Special programs are planned for homecoming week chapels, held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 7, through Friday, Nov. 11. Alumnus Vondal Davidson ('92) of Troy, Tennessee, will speak in chapel Monday, followed by the homecoming court presentation Tuesday, a preview of “Matilda” Wednesday, a guest alumnus Thursday and Tennessee Army National Guard Chaplain/First Lieutenant and Tusculum Church of Christ Executive Minister Will Tidwell of Nashville leading the Veterans Day ceremony Friday.
Friday, Nov. 11, will bring dozens of FHU family members to campus for ALUMination Day, as well. At this annual event, alumni spend time with students to network and share career advice, wisdom, expertise and experience.
The FHU family will celebrate the renovation of Paul Gray men’s dorm with a ribbon cutting at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11. Once again housing male students, Paul Gray’s renovation is part of the FHU Next campaign, a five-year, $100+-million campaign focused on improving the student experience.
In partnership with Chester County Youth Theater, FHU Theatre will present “Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical” Thursday, Nov. 10, and Friday, Nov. 11, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 12, at 2 p.m. in Loyd Auditorium. Tickets are available at fhutickets.com.
The classes of ’82, ’92,’02 and ’22 are specially invited to return to campus for milestone reunions. A Hardeman Boys performance in Old Main’s Chapel Hall Friday, Nov. 11, at 7 p.m. will welcome the ‘82 class and be open to the public. Performing with this group that toured the country representing FHC will be Kevin Owen ('84), Todd Tunnell ('85), Kyle Wadley ('83), Mark Crawford ('85), Jerry Elder ('83) and others.
Saturday, Nov.12, events will begin with the annual Legacy Student Pinning Ceremony at 10 a.m. in Chapel Hall. New students whose parents or grandparents are FHU alumni will celebrate their family’s FHU legacy.
Guests are invited to the Lion Walk and tailgating on the Brewer Sports Center Lawn at noon. Petra, a beloved Freed-Hardeman student band from the 1980s, will bring alumni David Decker ('81) of Milner, Georgia; Jeff ('82) and Kandy (Turbeville, '82) Shackelford of Bolivar, Tennessee; and Michelle Gossett Lasley ('83) of Brentwood, Tennessee, to the tailgate stage at noon.
Brewer Sports Center is likely to be near capacity when the Lady Lion Basketball hosts Blue Mountain at 2 p.m. and Lion Basketball takes on LSU-Alexandria at 4 p.m. on Smith-Kirk Court. The 2021-22 Lady Lion Softball team will be honored for their historic postseason run last spring to the NAIA Women’s World Series, where they finished in the top four in the country.
The Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be in Brewer Sports Center Auxiliary Gym at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12. This year’s class includes Grace Alonso de Armiño (Women's Basketball 2011-2015), Orlando Bass (Men's Basketball 2011-2016), Brandon Guske (Baseball 2014-2017) and Distinguished Service Award winner Martha Lewis (presented posthumously). Tickets for the games and the Hall of Fame are available at GoFHULions.com.
Saturday, Nov. 12, will conclude with congregational singing in Chapel Hall at 7:30 p.m.
Homecoming week will close Sunday morning, Nov. 13, with a worship service at 9 a.m. in Loyd Auditorium. FHU President David R. Shannon will speak.
A complete schedule of Homecoming events is available at fhu.edu/homecoming. Tickets to intercollegiate athletic events, including the Sports Hall of Fame dinner, may be purchased at GoFHULions.com. Other Homecoming event tickets are available at FHUTickets.com.
The mission of Freed-Hardeman University is to help students develop their God-given talents for His glory by empowering them with an education that integrates Christian faith, scholarship and service. With locations in Henderson and Memphis, FHU offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s, specialist and doctoral degrees.