DECATUR, Ill. – Alumni, friends and family of traveled back to Decatur for Homecoming weekend on Sept. 29-Oct. 1 to reconnect with friends, meet future alumni and celebrate being Big Blue.
The celebration weekend featured a wide range of programming for all Homecoming attendees. Alumni enjoyed long-time traditions such as the School of Nursing’s Legacy of the Lamp ceremony and the Homecoming Kickoff Concert, along with some new additions, such as a Friday night fireworks ceremony in the sky over the Workman Family Baseball Field.
Popular Homecoming Week programming for current students included inflatable bumper cars, axe throwing, a mechanical bull, a hypnotist, a Food Truck Frenzy event and the Multicultural Greek Council Step Show.
Students representing campus organizations used their artistic talents to decorate the area in front of the University Commons with colorful sidewalk chalk creations.
On Friday evening, outstanding Alumni members were honored during the annual Alumni Award dinner s will be honored at a celebratory dinner in the University Commons Banquet Rooms. This year's honorees were:
- Merit-Loyalty Award: Michael Halbert ’79
- Alumnus of the Year: David J. Rathje ’58
- Merit Award: LeeAnn Bailey M.D. ’96
- Faculty/Staff Award: Dr. Jan Devore
- Young Alumnus Award: Joel Kim Booster ’10
- Loyalty Award: Sue Vaughan Nelson ’66
On Saturday, the Big Blue Football faced Illinois Wesleyan University, and before kickoff, alums and current students tailgated outside of Frank M. Lindsay Field. The Big Blue took a 3-0 lead on the Titans early but fell behind 21-3 at halftime. In the final, Illinois Wesleyan won 45-17.
At halftime, Big Blue students Carson Cole and Kayla Green were named Homecoming 2023 King and Queen.
On Sunday, the Athletic Hall of Fame inductees were honored in a brunch ceremony in the University Commons Banquet Room. This year's inductees are:
- Baseball player Devin Crews ’18
- Volleyball player Kelsy England Wasmuth ’12
- The 1961 Football Team
- Faculty-Staff Award: Bryan Marshall, Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Information and Athletic Communication
Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s Homecoming events and we hope to see you back on campus in 2024!
