Homecoming 2024 Schedule

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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2024

Guest Services
7 a.m. – 8 p.m. • University Center
Visit the University Center for public restrooms, ATM, and vending. UC Food Court opens at 10:30am. 

12th Annual Alumni Career Speaker Series
10 a.m. – 11 a.m. • Various Locations • Free

• Charles M. “Chip” Russell, III, EGR ’07; CEO of Matter Management Enterprises and AmWaste;
  Science and Engineering Building – Room 110
• Senator John F. Kennedy, CLAS ’87, LAW ’90; State Senator for district 18.
  Stetson Hall – Room 251
• Dr. Jermani Thompson, CLAS ’96; Employee Experience and engagement.
  Connell Student Center – Conference Room 1
• Clay Thomas, CLAS ’96; Entrepreneurship in Rural Georgia.
  Connell Student Center – Conference Room 3
• Alicia Williams, CLAS ’15; Fellow at Vanderbilt University Medical Center
  Willet Science Center Auditorium 

Our Timeline at Tarver
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. • Tarver Library • Free
Our Timeline at Tarver 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. • Tarver Library To celebrate our alumni and friends, Tarver Library has created an interactive timeline featuring Mercer’s vibrant history. Come pin your place and, while you’re at it, peruse old year books, grab some popular swag, and make a unique Homecoming souvenir to take home with you.

College of Professional Advancement Homecoming Alumni Virtual Seminar Series
12 p.m. – 1 p.m. • Virtual via Zoom • Free
Featuring Nathaneal Barrow, 2024 McAfee Vision and Leadership Scholarship Award Recipient, and LeeAnn Watson MSHI, RN and Epic Application Coordinator for Piedmont Healthcare! Click here for the Zoom link. Contact Gail Evans for more information at (478) 301-2174.

CollegeBound: An Inside Look at College Admissions
12 p.m. – 3 p.m. • Stetson Hall, Room 151 • Free
Don’t miss the opportunity to get an inside look at the college admissions process during Mercer’s Homecoming Weekend. Join the Office of University Admissions for a seminar designed for alumni, faculty, staff, friends of the University, the Middle Georgia community, and their college-bound students in grades 11-12. Lunch will be provided. Click here to register. With questions, contact Maddie Hudlow at (478) 301-2322.

Undergraduate Class of 1974 Walking Tour of Campus
3 p.m. • 4 p.m • Penfield Hall • Free
Take a trip down memory lane and join us for a walking tour of campus to see what’s new. Parking is available at the Stetson lot for registered guests. Please register here.

Estate Planning Seminar with Jeffrey Williamson
3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. • Andrews Classroom, Stetson Hall, Room 251 • Free
Learn more about planned giving, estate giving and some of the new estate tax laws with Jeffrey Williamson. Jeffrey is a member of the taxation sections of both the American Bar Association and the State Bar of Georgia. He is also a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. Click here to RSVP. 

McEachern Art Center Gallery Drop in
4 p.m. – 8 p.m. • 332 second street • Free
Drop by the gallery and check out the photography of featured artist Stephanie Sutton. Click here for more details. 

Toby’s Campus Tour Book Launch Party
5 p.m. – 7 p.m. • Plunkett Gallery, Hardman Hall • Free
Join us as we celebrate new children’s book Toby’s Campus Tour: Explore Mercer University with mascot Toby the Bear, by Mercer professors Frani Rollins and Tennille Shuster. Enjoy this fun-filled tour around campus, stopping at all of Toby’s favorite places, including Mercer Village, the renowned Godsey Science Center and the landmark Jesse Mercer statue, on the way to the big game! This beautifully illustrated journey is sure to become a keepsake for generations of Mercerians to come. This event is FREE and open to the public. Books will be available for sale. Refreshments will be served.
Published October 2024 by Mercer University Press.

Dean’s Reception – Mercer University School of Law
5 p.m. – 7 p.m.  • Mercer University School of Law • Free
Dean Sneddon invites Mercer Law alums to the law school for a wine and cheese reception. Tours of the law school will be available. Please RSVP here.

Undergraduate Class of 1974 Golden Anniversary Reception and Dinner
5:30 p.m. Reception • 6:30 p.m. Dinner • Penfield Hall • $40
Members of the Mercer undergraduate Class of 1974 are invited to celebrate your 50th anniversary with your classmates, current faculty, and staff. Invitees will receive invitations by mail and may register online or by returning the printed registration form.  

Annual Alumni and Friends Awards Reception and Dinner
6 p.m. – 8 p.m. • Presidents Dining Room, University Center • $40
Our Annual Alumni and Friends Awards Dinner will honor our recipients of the Meritorious Service, Distinguished Alumnus, and Young Alumnus awards and our Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees. Pre-registration is required. Reception begins at 6:00 p.m. Dinner and program begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. Please RSVP here.

An Evening with Southern Spirits
6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. • Woodruff House • $75
An evening of food, drinks, and writers/creatives from the American South. Three-courses paired with a drink at each course and discussion by Mercer’s Spencer B. King, Jr. Center for Southern Studies faculty at the Woodruff House. Please RSVP here.

QuadWorks Lip Sync
7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. • Toney Auditorium • Free
Student teams will compete against each other in a lip sync/dance competition in Toney Auditorium in Willingham Hall. The Lip Sync Competition is free and open to everyone!

Pep Rally and Fireworks
8:30 p.m. – 9:15 p.m. • Cruz Plaza • Free
Free and open to all, our annual Homecoming pep rally gets the party started!

Friday Night Meet-Up of Alumni and Friends
9:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. • Longleaf Distillery, 664 2^nd Street
Longleaf Distillery welcomes Mercer Alumni and Friends to join Macon’s First Friday festivities downtown! Stop by and grab a signature Mercer cocktail crafted with spirits from Macon’s first distillery. Signature Mercer mocktails will also be available. Recently, Longleaf partnered with Mercer to plant longleaf pines in a conservation area to help restore the native longleaf pine population in Middle Georgia. Now, Longleaf is pleased to serve as the official Friday night meet-up spot of Mercer Alumni and Friends – a perfect opportunity for a fun night out with your Bear buddies!

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2024

Guest Services
7 a.m. – 8 p.m. • University Center
Visit the University Center for public restrooms, ATM, and vending. UC Food Court opens at 10:30am. 

Homecoming 5k 
8 a.m. – 9 a.m. • Five Star Stadium • $20
The 2024 installment of the Mercer University Homecoming 5K race is scheduled for November 2, 2024 at 8am. The race will consist of two laps around the beautiful Mercer University campus with a short trip through Five Star Stadium and along Coleman Avenue. Registration includes a Homecoming 5K t-shirt based on availability. The race will start at Five Star Stadium. Click here for more details and registration information!

3rd Annual SGA President and Vice President Reunion Breakfast
9:30 a.m. – 11 a.m. • Connell Student Center – Conference Room 3 • Free
Past and present SGA presidents and vice presidents gather to look back on the history of SGA at Mercer and discuss issues from each administration represented. Great fellowship, conversation, and food! Please join us! Register here.

Mercer University Press Book Sales
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. • Black Field – Look for our tent and signage!
Mercer alumni receive a 40% discount on books published by Mercer University Press, and we’ll be on Black Field during Homecoming with our latest publications, including the recently released Mercer Illustrated. Grab your copy and discover a new favorite! We can’t wait to see you there!

Rest(room) and Read at Tarver
10 a.m. – 3 p.m. • Tarver Library • Free
Looking for a peaceful moment? An indoor restroom? How about a place to sit for a while? Visit Tarver! While you’re here, take a look at some resources we have for our alumni and friends.

Half Century Club Induction & Celebration
11 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. • Intramural Courts, University Center • Invitation Only
This event is by invitation only for our undergraduate alumni who graduated 50 or more years ago. Invitees will receive invitations in the mail. Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, alumni and one guest attend free. A registration fee of $25 applies to each additional guest. View special Half Century Club parking, transportation, and football game ticket information on the Half Century Club page. RSVP here.

College of Health Professions Tailgate
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. • Black Field • Free
The faculty, staff, and students of the College of Health Professions welcome you to visit a tailgate prior to the Homecoming game. Everyone is welcome – returning alumni, current students, prospective students, and family members. Come find out what is going on at the college and share in a lunch buffet. There will be giveaways to take to the game. Contact Pamela Green at (678) 547-6208 for more information.

Alumni Hospitality Tent and Tailgate
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. • Black Field – Look for our tent and signage! • Free
Open to all alumni, with recognition items for the classes of 1974, 1984, 1994, 1999, 2004, and 2014! Registered guests receive a FREE Homecoming t-shirt while supplies last. C’mon by and say hello!

Stetson-Hatcher School of Business Homecoming Tailgate 
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. • Black Field • Free
The Stetson-Hatcher School of Business would like to welcome our Alumni, Students, Prospective Students, Faculty, Staff, Family, and Friends to join our 2024 tailgate. Please come and enjoy free food and drinks! Hang out with some old friends and make some new ones! We can’t wait to see you! Registration is not required. For more information, please contact Cecilia Williams at (478) 301-2832.

Mercer University School of Engineering Homecoming Tailgate 
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. • Black Field • Free
The School of Engineering is excited to welcome all Alumni, Faculty, Staff, Students, Families, and Prospective Students to celebrate Homecoming at our tailgate. Food, drinks, and entertainment will be provided. No Registration is necessary, so swing by, catch up and join us in preparing to cheer on our Bears. Contact Michael Marcoux for more information.

Mercer University College of Professional Advancement and Tift College of Education Homecoming Tailgate
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. • Black Field • Free
Please join College of Education and College of Professional Advancement Alumni, Students and Staff on Black Field for our Homecoming Tailgate. Food and Drinks will be provided. For more information about Tift College contact Kapri Washington at (678) 547.6312 and for COPA please reach out to Gail Evans at (478) 301-2174.

Theology Alumni and Friends Tailgate
12 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. • Black Field • Free
Come join us for a reunion tailgate on Black Field! Food and beverages will be provided. Registration information will be published soon.

Association of Women Law Students (AWLS) Tailgate
12 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. • Black Field • Free
Join us for our annual AWLS Homecoming Tailgate on Black Field! Everyone is welcome! Please stop by our tent for free Chick-fil-A and gameday buttons! We look forward to seeing you there! Please contact Haley Askey for questions at (678) 378-6667.

Mercer Law School Tailgate
12 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. • Black Field • Free
Join Mercer Law School alumni on Black Field for a tailgate celebration. Food and beverages will be provided. $10 for adults. Children 12 and under are free. Please RSVP here.

Football Game: Mercer Bears face ETSU Buccaneers
3 p.m. • Five Star Stadium
Purchase tickets for the game here.

Class of 1974 50th Reunion Dinner – Mercer University Law School
6 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. • Woodruff House • $100
Register here. 

Mercer Homecoming Afterparty
6:00 p.m. • Fall Line Brewing, 567 Plum Street
🎉🐻 Mercer Bears, it’s time to keep the celebration rolling at the Mercer Homecoming Afterparty at Fall Line Brewing! After the game on Saturday, November 2nd, head over starting at 6 PM for a night full of Bear pride, brews, and good vibes! We’re serving up Bear Slushies (yep, orange slushies just for you) and Ol’ Toby, our Mercer Easy Ale! 🍻 And for alumni wearing their orange and black get half off a pint—now that’s a winning deal! 🏆So, after the game, grab your crew and toast to a homecoming victory with ice-cold slushies, local brews, and a night of celebration you won’t forget! See you there, Bears! 🐻🍻