Mercer University will welcome thousands of alumni and friends to the Macon campus Nov. 8-10 for Homecoming 2019.
 
The Office of Alumni Services has partnered with other University entities to offer numerous events for alumni, their families and friends during a weekend of celebration.
 
The eighth annual Alumni Career Speaker Series kicks off activities on Friday with presentations by Dr. Jason Stack, EGR ’96, David Barbee, BUSM ’02, Dr. Catherine Roe, CLA ’12 and MED ’16, and Dr. Bryan Green, CLA ’95, at locations across campus beginning at 10 a.m.
 
Homecoming will include basketball for the first time since 2013, as the men’s team will open a Friday afternoon doubleheader in Hawkins Arena against Columbia International University at 1 p.m. before the women’s team takes on Western Kentucky at 4:30 p.m.
 
The undergraduate Class of 1969 Golden Anniversary reception and dinner will take place from 5:30-8 p.m. at Tattnall Square Center for the Arts.
 
The fifth 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.
 
Townsend School of Music will showcase the Mercer Jazz Ensemble from 7:30-9 p.m. in Fickling Hall with a free concert that will include a selection of music from the first century of jazz orchestra.
 
Alumni, students and the community will gather on Cruz Plaza from 8:30-9 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 Luncheon, honoring undergraduate alumni who graduated 50 or more years ago, will take place from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on the University Center intramural courts.
 
Townsend School of Music’s free Showcase Concert from 12:30-1:30 p.m. in Fickling Hall will feature a rapid-fire whirlwind of talented students and ensembles performing a diverse offering of musical stylings.
 
Many tailgating opportunities will be available before the football team’s 3 p.m. kickoff versus Wofford. 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 1969, 1979, 1989, 1994, 1999 and 2009 may stop by to receive a free Homecoming 2019 T-shirt. There will also be numerous reunions throughout Saturday evening.
 
These are just a few of the events available throughout the weekend. To view the complete Homecoming 2019 schedule, visit homecoming.mercer.edu.
 
Online registration closes Oct. 30 at 11:30 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.