JACKSON, Tenn. — Oct. 17, 2024 — 51社区鈥檚 annual Homecoming celebration will take place on campus Oct. 21-26, with a full slate of activities for current students and alumni.
Among the week鈥檚 key events:
- A community prayer breakfast Oct. 25 from 6:45-7:45 a.m. in the Carl Grant Events Center. The breakfast is free, but reservations are required.
- The annual Buster Bowl football game, Oct. 22 at 7:30 p.m. at Liberty Tech High School, with a pregame tailgate party beginning at 6 p.m.
- The annual Campus and Community: A Day of Remembrance and Service on Oct. 22. Union cancels classes for the day so students, faculty and staff can participate in dozens of service projects in the Jackson community.
- Women鈥檚 volleyball games against Valdosta State University at 6 p.m. on Oct. 25 and against the University of West Florida at 11 a.m. on Oct. 26.
- Women鈥檚 basketball game against the University of Tennessee Southern at 4 p.m. on Oct. 26, with the Homecoming court announced at halftime.
- Men鈥檚 basketball game against Cumberland University at 6 p.m. on Oct. 26, with the Homecoming Cup winner announced at halftime.
- Blank Slate Improv show on Oct. 26 at 8 p.m. in the W.D. Powell Theatre. Tickets are $3.
In addition, the Meritorious Service Awards Banquet at 6 p.m. on Oct. 25 in the Carl Grant Events Center will honor 18 Union alumni and friends for outstanding achievements in their respective fields. Award winners include:
- Alumnus of the Year: Jeff Perkins
- Young Alumnus of the Year: Hannah Daniel
- Young Alumnus of the Year: Katy Restum
- Family Legacy Award: Richard Lewelling
- Robert E. Craig Service Award: Larry and Betty Standridge
- Lest We Forget Award: Lisa Rogers
- G.M. Savage Legacy Award: Sandra Williams
- Distinguished Achievement Award in Health Care: Denese Shumaker
- Distinguished Achievement Award in Arts and Media: Dusty Doddridge
- Distinguished Achievement Award in Humanities: David Clark
- Distinguished Achievement Award in Business: Chris Allison
- Distinguished Achievement Award in Church Ministry: Shawn Parker
- Distinguished Achievement Award in Research Sciences: Jennifer Carson
- Distinguished Achievement Award in Education: Bob Sparks
- Distinguished Achievement Award in Sports: Andy Rushing
- Distinguished Achievement Award in Government and Public Service: George Boyte
- Distinguished Achievement Award in Not-for-Profit: Jo Ann Reyes
Reservations for the awards banquet are $20, and the deadline is Oct. 22.
For a complete Homecoming schedule, and to make reservations for the awards banquet and the prayer breakfast, visit uu.edu/events/homecoming.
