Returning home is a word that has come up numerous times. Alumni across all generations of Waynesburg University came together in order to return home. 

Of all the festivities surrounding Homecoming, one of the biggest on campus is the Homecoming football game. For Dr. Cornelius Coleman, a Waynesburg University alumni and current head football coach, the game means more. Not only does Coleman want to help bring success to the football program but he also wants athletes to feel “A sense of pride. A sense of dedication,” Coleman said prior to the Homecoming game. 

As an alum, Coleman has always kept in touch with the football program. 

“I want those young men who are in the stands who were a part of the program to be proud of the young men who are performing on the field,” Coleman said. 

While the players are in the locker room at halftime, another tradition begins, the crowning of the Homecoming king and queen. Each year the previous Homecoming king and queen return to give their crowns to the new King and Queen. This gives an opportunity for reflection upon their return to Waynesburg. 

“I felt like I was back home this weekend,” said Alexandra Morar, last year’s Homecoming queen. “Waynesburg has such an irreplaceable community and I am beyond grateful for the impact everyone has left on me.” 

I felt like I was back home this weekend… Waynesburg has such an irreplaceable community and I am beyond grateful for the impact everyone has left on me.”

Alexandra Morar

Gabriel Reed and Rebecca Shank were crowned this year’s homecoming king and queen.

As the next Homecoming king and queen were being crowned, Alumni Relations were hard at work under their tent. 

“The volume of alumni that come through the tent at halftime is always a lot of fun and just seeing people from all decades represented,” David Floyd, director of development and alumni relations, said.

All in all, there were hundreds of alumni who attended events either in person or virtually. Floyd said that there were many highlights across the board. One of his favorites was an event held on Friday night at the Denny house that included all alumni. This is the second year that the event was held at the Denny house and it allowed alumni of all years to gather together and celebrate Waynesburg University. 

Along with the Friday night event, at the President’s house, the class of 1972 held their 50th reunion. Floyd said that the President, Mrs. Lee, and many alumni attended this event to celebrate. 

Floyd expressed his gratitude for all of the assistance that the alumni relations office was given from volunteers, some of which are a part of the Alumni Council, who helped at the 50th reunion brunch and at the Nest as people arrived, as well as from part-time and full-time faculty at the University who helped run reunions for different departments or organizations on campus. 

Much like Coleman said, Floyd also desires for alumni to be proud of Waynesburg University whenever they return home.

“When alumni come back, I think they’re really proud of Waynesburg University as an institution. And like I mentioned, as things have changed for the better and as things continue to grow…. things have stayed the same, like having a close-knit campus community and you know the opportunity to really develop relationships among faculty staff and students that a place like Waynesburg is really able to foster across a student’s experience over the years.”