Mercer University will welcome alumni and friends to the Macon campus Nov. 12-13 for Homecoming 2021. 

The Office of Alumni Services has partnered with other University entities to offer numerous events for alumni, families and friends during a weekend of celebration. 

“Homecoming 2021 will be a welcome celebration, especially since many of our long-standing traditional events were postponed last year. We look forward to catching up with our alumni and friends to rekindle their connections with Mercer and with one another,” said Jill Kinsella, associate vice president for alumni services and specials events. 

The ninth annual Alumni Career Speaker Series kicks off activities on Friday with presentations by Patricia Howard, EGR ’03, Jason Reaves, BUSM ’92, Rob Fenimore, CLAS ’92, LAW ’96, and Samer Othman, CLA ’06, at locations across campus at 10 a.m. 

The undergraduate Class of 1970 and Class of 1971 Golden Anniversary reception and dinner will take place from 5:30-8 p.m. in Connell Student Center Conference Rooms I and II. 

The sixth annual Alumni Awards Dinner in the Presidents Dining Room from 6-8 p.m. will honor recipients of the University’s three major alumni awards, as well as Alumni by Choice Award recipients and Mercer Athletic Hall of Fame’s newest induction class. 

Alumni, students and the community will gather on Cruz Plaza at 8 p.m. for the annual pep rally featuring Mercer cheer, dance, marching band and football team, as well as the announcement of the Homecoming court, followed by a fireworks display. 

Saturday’s events begin with the 11th edition of the Homecoming 5K as participants race through the University’s beautiful campus. Check-in begins at 7 a.m. at Butler Family Plaza just outside the main entrance to Five Star Stadium. 

The Half Century Club Induction and Celebration, honoring undergraduate alumni who graduated 50 or more years ago, will take place from 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. on the University Center intramural courts. 

Many tailgating opportunities will be available before the football team’s 3 p.m. contest versus Chattanooga. The Office of Alumni Services will host a tailgate honoring reunion year classes and members of the Half Century Club. Members of the anniversary classes of 1970-71, 1980-81, 1990-91, 1995-96, 2000-01 and 2010-11 may stop by to receive a free Homecoming 2021 T-shirt. 

Black Field will include a variety of activities for all ages, including the Ford Concert Series, prior to kickoff. Following the game, Mercer Village will celebrate Second Saturday with free music, food and beverage specials, outdoor seating and more. 

These are just a few of the events available throughout the weekend. To view the complete Homecoming 2021 schedule, visit homecoming.mercer.edu. 

Registration is required for select events. Online registration closes Nov. 3 at 11 p.m., but walk-up registration will remain available for a number of events. Registration instructions vary by event, so guests are encouraged to consult the online schedule before arriving on campus.