From Alumni Programs

Susan Lowe '95

Surely no time of the year invokes more poignant memories of home than that of autumn and the impending holiday season. On a cool October weekend, Southwestern welcomed alumni, family, and friends to come home for a visit and once again, it was a Homecoming worth remembering. Builders of Excellence was the theme, and truly, it embodied our Moundbuilder heritage and the quality of education that for over 100 years has been a trademark of the college.

Personally speaking, it was a joy to see all who came for the weekend; I hope everyone had a great visit with old friends and classmates, new friends, and current students. In case you were wondering if anyone came back for Homecoming, the numbers are in: For 36 different events/activities, an estimated total of 2,680 alumni and friends attended, and that does NOT include persons at the Homecoming parade, the football game, or the worship service at Grace United Methodist Church. And if you are wondering how we can possibly accommodate that number of people, your fellow Moundbuilders volunteered in force to help us out - a total of 180 persons and/or organizations gave of their time to make it a spectacular weekend! If you didn't get to come back this year, mark your calendar now for Homecoming next fall so you won't miss it. the dates are Oct. 10, 11, and 12, 2003, the academic focus will be fine arts, and the reunion years will be classes ending in '3' or '8.'

Meanwhile, remember you don't have to live close to the college to stay involved with it. There are numerous volunteer roles that alumni from all over the country can fill for SC. Contact the alumni office for a volunteer brochure, or watch for more information about volunteering in upcoming Southwesterner editions. Volunteer opportunities make it possible for anyone to be a vital part of the college and its mission.

If you have questions about alumni events or programs, please contact me via phone (800-846-1543, ext. 6334), letter (100 College St., Winfield, KS 67156), or e-mail (slowe@skans.edu). Hats off to you, Builders. of Excellence!

(For more photos of this year's Homecoming excitement, visit www.sckans.edu/homecoming ????)

UPCOMING 2002 ALUMNI EVENTS

Monday, Dec. 2 - 7:00 p.m. Alumni Christmas Tree Challenge Cup! This competition will be a face-off between current students in freshman through senior classes to see which class can decorate the winning tree and thus hold claim to the trophy cup for the next year. Christmas sugar cookies will be decorated and holiday music and fun will abound. Alumni judges for this event are Chris Douglas '94, Robbie (Gilger) Banks '72, Justin Olmstead '02, and Paul Homan '83 (aka Santa Claus). Alumni are welcome to participate in the cookies and the fun!

Saturday, Dec. 7, 4:00 p.m. - Southwestern College Athletic Hall of Fame dinner and induction ceremony will be held on the main campus, followed by exciting Moundbuilder basketball as SC takes on Kansas Wesleyan. 2002 inductees are Charles Cowdrey, Victor Gillespie '40, Armand Hillier '62, Monty Lewis '86, John Swafford '49.

Jan. 31, 5-6:30 p.m. - '50s and '60s Alumni Event at Hotel in Old Town, Wichita. Food, fun, and lots of great reminiscing will highlight the evening in this beautiful, historic location. Be sure to bring your old yearbooks and photos. and a camera to take new pictures! Co-hosts are Loren '51 and Donna Fall Alexander '53, and Ron and Judy (Martin) Haynes '67 '67.

Saturday, Feb. 1 - SC Basketball Alumni Reunion in Stewart Field House honoring the 1961 and 1963 KCAC championship teams. 5 p.m. women's game, 7 p.m. men's game, as the Builders take on Sterling College. Honorees will be recognized at halftime of the men's game and a reception will immediately follow the game.

Sunday, Feb. 2 - Johnson, Kan. President Dick Merriman, SC music group Selah, and Addicted drama team will visit Johnson United Methodist Church. Alumni are encouraged to bring prospective students to visit with current students and hear about SC. Covered dish lunch gathering will follow church.

Saturday, Feb. 8, 6-7:30 p.m. -Dodge City alumni dinner at Casey's Cowtown Club. It'll be a fun time in the old town tonight. with President Dick Merriman and other Moundbuilder alumni! Co-hosts are Carla Harris '77 and Paul Lewis '77.

Sunday, Feb. 9 - Dodge City, Kan. President Dick Merriman, SC music group Selah, and Addicted drama team will visit Dodge City First United Methodist Church. Alumni, this is your chance to bring prospective students for a visit with current students and to hear about SC. Covered dish lunch gathering will follow church.

March 10, 5:30-7:15 p.m. - "Ice Cream a-la-lumni". SC alumni department will provide ice cream and all the fixin's for current students (future alumni!) in the snack bar area of the Roy L. Smith student center.

Saturday, March 29, 7:00 p.m. - Musical concert at St. Mark's United Methodist Church, Wichita. Unified group of vocalists, brass, and more, sponsored by SC's Institute for Discipleship.

Remember, you do not need to live in the area where an event is being held to attend. All alumni and friends of the college are welcome to attend any of our events, regardless of location. Contact alumni programs, 800-846-1543, ext. 6231, or nan@sckans.edu for more information or to RSVP.

 

Athletes to be Inducted

Five men will be inducted into Southwestern College's Athletic Hall of Fame during ceremonies Saturday, Dec. 7. A reception at 4 p.m. in the student center will be followed by a 4:30 banquet and induction ceremony. The honorees will be introduced during halftime of the evening 7 p.m. basketball game.

" Victor Gillespie '40. A participant on the 1939 national championship basketball team, Gillespie also was captain of the football team. He was a U.S. Army Air Corps Pilot in World War II, receiving the Air Medal and Medal for Distinguished Service. He retired from the service in 1968 as a colonel, and died in 1999.

" John Swafford '49 excelled as a halfback on the 1946 CIC championship football team. A longtime public school educator, he retired as assistant superintendent of schools in Woodward, Okla. He died in1994.

" Armand Hillier '62 was a four-year lettermen in basketball, and a leader on the 1962 KCAC championship team. He retired from public school administration in the spring of 2002 after serving 40 years. Hillier was recognized as the Kansas Athletic Director of the Year in 1985, and received the 2002 Kansas Athletic Director of the Year award from the National Council of Secondary School Athletic Directors.

" Charles Cowdrey. Cowdrey was head football coach at Southwestern from 1983 to 1991, amassing a record of 59-34-1. His teams won KCAC championships in 1983, 1985, and 1987, and in 1984 his team lost in the semi-finals of the national play-offs. In addition to his position at Southwestern, Cowdrey has coached at colleges including Drake University, Illinois State University, Morningside College, and University of Missouri.

" Monty Lewis '86. A four-year letterman as an offensive tackle at Southwestern, Lewis was a two-time all-KCAC player and two-time NAIA All-American. He was head coach at Southwestern from 1993 to 2002, and accumulated the most wins in Southwestern football history (60) as well as KCAC championships in 1997, 1998, and 1999.