MOC alumni weekend set for Nov. 20-22
By Staff Reports
Published in News on November 8, 2009 1:50 AM
The Trojans are coming home Nov. 20-22 for the annual Mount Olive College Alumni Weekend.
The three-day reunion is packed with events for alumni of the private institution, including some new activities.
"The Pickle Classic Basketball Tournament, which is one of the highlights of Alumni Weekend, is the longest-running event at Mount Olive College other than commencement," director of alumni relations Dianne Riley said. "Although homecoming weekend is steeped in tradition, we have a number of new events planned for the weekend."
The 13th annual Scholarship Golf Classic, which will get under way with a shotgun start at 12:15 p.m. at the Southern Wayne Country Club. The college is seeking businesses or individuals to sponsor a golf hole for a business or in honor or memory of a classmate, professor or family member.
The 44th annual Pickle Classic basketball tournament will kick off at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 20 featuring Barton vs. Virgina Union, followed by Mount Olive College vs. Mars Hill at 8 p.m. The tournament will continue Saturday with Barton vs. Mars Hill at 5:30 and MOC vs. Virgina Union at 8 p.m.
The school will recognize during halftime the Women's Tennis Team and golfer Scott Woodard, the college's NCAA participants. Officials will also announce the winners from MOC student homecoming contests including the class with the most school spirit and the Pickle Classic Court.
Friday's events will wrap up with dinner in the Alumni Dining Room, entertainment provided by the Free Spirit contemporary Christian singers.
Saturday will get started early with a pancake breakfast sponsored by Andy's of Mount Olive, with proceeds going to support the MOC women's softball team. To buy a $5 ticket, contact Katie Field at kfield@moc.edu. The Department of Recreation-Leisure Studies will sponsor a Cystic Fibrosis Walk/Run beginning at 8:30 a.m. in the Kornegay Arena parking lot. Contact Jill Mills at jmills@moc.edu for more information.
The reunion and alumni tent at the quad by the Murphy Regional Center will offer yearbooks, refreshments, music and more beginning at 9 a.m., and the college bookstore will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Poole Administration building for alumni hoping to take a few souvenirs home with them.
College president Dr. Philip Kerstetter will give the State of the College address at 11 a.m. during the annual business meeting in the Alumni Dining Room in the Lois K. Murphy Regional Center, followed by special recognition of the 50th and 25th anniversary reunion classes. The business meeting will also host an election for new alumni board officers and members and present awards to the Alumni of the Year. Officials will recognize Gary Barefoot, class of '59, as Librarian Emeritus and will also recognize outstanding leaders. Reunion tables will be available at the luncheon for former classmates, family and friends to sit together.
The 50-inning softball game at Nancy Chapman Cassell Field will get under way at 12:30 p.m., coached by Jaime Kylis-Higginbotham. Alumni will also get the chance to tour the college facilities, including the new residence halls, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The college will induct four new athletes into the athletics Hall of Fame at 2 p.m. in the Hennessee Room of the Lois K. Murphy Regional Center. Billy Lee ('69), Pat Riley ('84), Heather Parker Collier ('98) and Mat Dudley ('00) will be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
More activities are scheduled for Saturday evening and Sunday morning. For more information about Alumni Weekend, call 658-2505.