Homecoming never looked so good at ºÚÁϳԹÏ. In honor of the school’s sesquicentennial anniversary, there was much fanfare, celebration, commemoration, and reminiscing by alumni, students, faculty, staff, and members of the broader community taking part in nearly 100 events throughout the November 1-2 weekend. The number of alumni attendees was up more than 50% over last year, totaling 1,638.
“Catching up with friends - old and new - felt like a full circle moment,” shares Kazzandra Medellin ’18. “It was amazing to be able to hear what everyone was up to and how CC played a part in helping us get there.”
“Bringing alumni back to campus for Homecoming not only provides a chance for alums to connect with one another but engages them in the life of the college today,” says Vice President of Advancement Molly Bodnar. “The bonds our alumni share – with one another, our faculty, and the college – form the foundation for lifelong, mutually beneficial relationships.”
Homecoming included special events for ten reunion classes, young alumni, and more than thirty alumni who are part of the 50-Year Club. The oldest registered alum was from the Class of 1956.
A big highlight of the weekend was CC’s 150th Extravaganza, where Ed Robson Arena was transformed for a once-in-a-lifetime celebration for the College’s 150th anniversary. From casino games to a dance, followed by CC's first-ever drone show above Tava Quad, there was much rejoicing on campus Saturday night.
“The 150th Extravaganza was a fun time and ending it with the drone show was the cherry on top!” says Medellin.
“Homecoming was the perfect chance to catch up with friends I hadn’t seen since graduation,” adds alum Saul Maravilla ’19. “It was awesome having the dance back—it made for such a fun night. Huge thanks to CC for putting together an amazing homecoming weekend for us young alums! The games added the perfect energy to the new arena.”
In true liberal arts form, there was also plenty of opportunity for lifelong learning on campus, with 17 engaging micro-blocks, at which 22 faculty, staff, and emeriti professors taught classes filled with learners of all ages.
Alum and CC staff member Karuna Abe ’20 notes how powerful it was to connect with alums at the micro-blocks, grouped not by major or age but a shared “quintessential CC experiences,” like talking about the building where they took their classes so many years apart.
“I attended the micro-block, Is Hitchcock's Vertigo the Greatest Film Ever Made? led by Professor George Butte from the English Department,” says Abe. “Being back in the block setting was incredible. George guided us through the rich mise-en-scène of Vertigo, and there’s something truly special about the care and thought he brings to his teaching. He’s deeply committed to the art he translates and contextualizes for his students. I’m so grateful to George for welcoming us back to his classroom. Thank you for creating space for the lifelong learners you’ve inspired and nurtured.”
As if on cue, the Tiger Hockey team dazzled fans by winning the Pikes Peak Trophy and sweeping the Air Force Academy Falcons 3-2 in overtime on Friday night at home and 6-1 at the Cadet Ice Arena on Saturday night. The team unveiled the program's throwback jersey to the 64th consecutive sell-out crowd of 3,900 at Robson Arena. The sweater was a replica of the one worn by the 1949-50 team that won the program's first NCAA Championship.
"We wanted to do something special in recognition of the 150th anniversary of ºÚÁϳԹÏ," says Head Coach Kris Mayotte. "It was an easy decision to bring back the jerseys that the 1950 national champions wore. We are excited for our fans to see us in the throwback jerseys as we celebrate homecoming weekend."
Nearly 300 alumni watched the Tigers play at a special hockey watch party at Goat Patch Brewery. Other gatherings were held at Tony’s Bar on Tejon and a Community Picnic attended by more than 500 on campus. CC alum and founder of Josh and Josh’s Ice Cream John Krakauer '85 offered special edition pints of “Tiger’s Blood” ice cream in honor of CC’s 150th.
“Homecoming weekend 2024 was special, engaging over 1600 members of the CC community,” said Associate Vice President of Engagement Cindy Hyman ’82. “Alums explored the campus, visited favorite spots and reconnected with their classmates, faculty, and staff. Robson Arena was full of happy people dancing, playing games, and enjoying each other’s company. The drone show on Tava Quad was the perfect capstone to a successful weekend designed specifically to bring alums back for our 150th celebration. Alumni Engagement is already working on planning Homecoming 2025!”
Alumni have also felt compelled to give back to the college, with the 2024 reunion classes committing more than $1.4 million in philanthropic support to CC. Class gift efforts will continue through December of this year. CC donors whose lifetime giving has reached $1 million or more were honored during the weekend in a special ceremony with the unveiling of new names on the Earle Flagpole for the William Jackson Palmer Founders Society. Members of the 1874 and President’s Circle annual giving societies were also recognized for their continued generosity.
Eight outstanding alumni were honored with Alumni Association Awards over the weekend, including Albert Mehl ’77, Robert Miller ’76, Steve Paulsen ’74, Susan White Burgamy ’66, Cathy Weir ’65, Caitlyn Florentine ’07, Mike Shum ’07, and Robert Broughton (in memoriam).
For the first time, Homecoming weekend coincided with the Fine Arts Center’s community celebration of Dia de Muertos, a tradition with Latin American and indigenous roots that celebrates loved ones who’ve passed away. The two-day event brought well over 3,300 people to the FAC from the broader community and visiting alumni, far supassing the goal of 2,000 attendees.