Welcome Back, Marauders

Homecoming 2024 Alumni Events

Photo by Leah Song/Maclay Andalusian

Every year, Maclay alumni visit the campus during the homecoming week to support and reconnect with their alma mater. Homecoming 2024 involved several alumni events like in previous years to enhance the school spirit by bringing past and current students together.

On Friday, Oct. 18 at 4:30 p.m., Maclay held a brand-new event, the Alumni Walk. Developed during an Alumni Board Retreat in February, it adds another way for the faculty and students to honor and connect with Maclay alumni. The Alumni Walk invites 10 alumni of distinction every year during homecoming. This year, the event Maclay honored Dr. Catherine Benton Lerner (‘95), Julie Miller Torres (‘98), Dr. Rosie Hunter (‘01), Honorable Bruce Landrum (‘78), Dr. Bob McClure (‘83), Chris LaFace (‘99), Dr. Anna Thomas Koeppel (‘96), Honorable Mayor John Dailey (‘91), Laura Coburn Russell (‘01) and Kimberly Austin Crowell (‘01).

“It was so exciting to return to campus as an alumni,” Koeppel said. “It was wonderful to see other alumni that I went to school with and to see all of their amazing achievements and accomplishments they have made since graduating. It was such a diverse group of individuals with many talents.”

The same day at 5:30 p.m., the Alumni Tailgate Gathering sponsored by the Maclay Alumni Association allowed alumni, students, families and faculty to connect as they shared food while their children enjoyed friendly activities. The connection brought on this Friday afternoon helped form a greater school spirit before one of the most important football games of the season.

“Maclay’s commitment to celebrating its history and achievements shines through in these events,” Advancement Officer for Alumni Relations Annie McMillan said. “Special recognition of milestones, such as significant reunions, adds a layer of nostalgia and pride that can be especially meaningful for graduates. Overall, the sense of tradition, connection, and community at Maclay makes its alumni events a distinctive experience.”

The same spirit continued on Saturday, Oct. 19 with more celebration. During the Distinguished Alumnus & Athletic Halls of Fame Induction Luncheon at 12 p.m., Maclay honored Daniel Wingate (‘88) as a Distinguished Alumnus along with Jennifer Engelbrecht Barbarino (‘95, Swimming), Callie Corbin Langford Reese (‘10, Soccer), Tom Carlson (75-86, Basketball Coach) and 2005 Girls Cross Country Team for Athletics Hall of Fame.

Homecoming 2024 closed on Saturday evening with a Cheerleader Reunion and an All Class Reunion highlighting the milestone classes of 1974, 1979, 1984, 1989, 1994, 1999, 2004 and 2014.

“Maclay continues to grow and change for the better,” Koeppel said. “The campus is beautiful and all of the faculty, staff and students are so kind. The addition of the Beck Family Innovation Center and the new athletic facilities that are coming are very exciting. I feel so privileged to have attended Maclay and the school continues to excel in academics and challenges students to be the best they can be.”