Homecoming Recap

from Waldorf Magazine: Spring 2020

Foundation Notes

W A R R I O R N A T I O N

There’s no place like Homecoming

Mother Nature was definitely in favor of the Warriors as we enjoyed absolutely beautiful weather all weekend long! Spirits were high as Warrior Nation welcomed home alumni and friends for a fun-filled celebration. Festivities started on Wednesday, Oct. 16, with the annual candidate review and coronation hosted by the Communications Department. The event took place in the Atrium, and several hundred students showed up to help crown the 2019 homecoming king and queen: Samuel Huntley and Taylor Navratil respectively. The rest of this year’s homecoming court included: Marcel Lindner, Andrew Murley, Sven-Erik Tiedemann, Savanna Cordle, Kyra Platzek and Mackinze Thill.

Following the crowning of the king and queen, the weekend could officially commence. The annual

Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet took place on Friday evening in the Boman Fine Arts Center, where four honorees were inducted: Perry Laures ’84 (football), Beth (Skogen) Van Roekel ’99 (basketball/softball), Brady (Stumpff) Goerdt ’01 (softball) and Patrick Jackson ’89 (football). The evening rounded out with a student-led bonfire in the parking lot of the Luise V. Hanson Fieldhouse where the Waldorf football coaches gave motivational speeches, dancing was encouraged and a great time was had by all.

Saturday morning got off to an early start as the homecoming 5K walk/ run, hosted by the Waldorf track and cross country teams, gave visitors and community members a chance to start the weekend off on the right foot. An all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast was provided post-race for participants and

spectators alike. Unfortunately, a light drizzle stuck around for most of the morning activities, but by 11 a.m. that morning, as tailgating activities began to gain traction, the sun began to shine and spirits began to rise. Face-painting, bounce houses, carnival games, bake sales and various student groups brought a plethora of young and old tailgaters—all ready to rally behind the Waldorf football team. All of the support seemed to work as the Warriors sealed their victory early over Dakota State University with a fantastic final score of 59-9.

The annual art and craft fair was held once again in Salveson Lobby, followed by alumni class luncheons on campus that afternoon as well. The annual luncheons gave classmates an opportunity to reminisce on their Waldorf days with one another

while enjoying a meal in the Atrium. The 50th class reunion, celebrated by the class of 1969, boasted one of the largest class reunions in regard to attendance in recent Waldorf history with nearly 50 returning classmates. Campus tours, Boman Fine Arts Center tours, Waldorf History Interviews and a campus scavenger hunt filled the schedules of alumni for the day.

Saturday’s oncampus activities wrapped up with the Waldorf Alumni Distinguished Service Dinner that evening, where Rev. Thomas Jolivette ‘74 and Leslie Aasheim ‘57 were honored with the Alumni Distinguished Service Award. William Stokes ’08 was recognized as the Recent Alumni Award for Service on Saturday evening as well. These awards are two of the most prestigious that Waldorf can honor an alumnus with, and it was an incredibly memorable event for all. In addition to a beautiful homecoming service at Immanuel Lutheran on Sunday morning, the entire weekend came to a perfect close with the annual homecoming music concert, where the Waldorf choir, the alumni choir, schola cantorum and the band all showcased their incredible talents.

Waldorf homecoming is always one of the best weekends of the entire year. Mark your calendars now for next year’s festivities: October 15 – 18, 2020! Reunion years for 2020 include 1955, 1960, 1965, the 50th class reunion of 1970, 1975, 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010 and 2015. Reach out to alumni@waldorf.edu for questions or if you’re interested in being a class ambassador to help bring your classmates and friends back to campus for the best weekend of the year!

CLASS OF 1954