A record number of over 500 students, alumni, families, and friends of Lyon College gathered this past weekend, Sept. 28 through Sept. 30, to celebrate Homecoming and Family Weekend.
The college started off the weekend’s festivities on Friday with the Career Center’s Career EXPLO and a pep rally by the Becknell Gymnasium. The EXPLO served 110 students and boasted 50 employers, graduate schools and professional schools. Friday evening, the Office of Advancement hosted an event celebrating the renovation of the Brown Chapel-Fine Arts Building and honored those who helped make it happen. Attendees enjoyed interactive stations with the Lyon College Marching Band, Concert Chorale, Pipe Band and Gospel Choir, followed by their performances. The night concluded with an alumni gathering at 109 on Main Street.
On Saturday, the Alumni Awards Banquet was held to honor outstanding alumni and friends of the college. Daniel Haney, ’08, and Emily Fleming, ’08, received the Patterson Decade Award. Haney is currently the deputy prosecuting attorney for the 16th Judicial District of Arkansas. Fleming contributes to the YouTube original series Good Mythical Morning and is a member of the Writers’ Guild of America. Claudia Marsh was named Honorary Alumna. She worked for the college as the director of church relations for over 15 years.
David Branscum, ’08, and Adam Penman, ’08, received the Decade of Service Award. Branscum is the senior technical lead at Ozark Information Service. Penman is a legislative analyst at the Arkansas Bureau of Legislative Research and is working toward his MBA. Jason Earley, ’99, was named Distinguished Alumnus, and Dr. Virginia Wray received the Lifetime of Service Award. Earley was managing partner at Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton in Little Rock for four years, and he recently moved to Birmingham, Ala., where he works for the home office of Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton. Wray worked at the college for over 30 years — she was a professor of English and concluded her time at Lyon as the dean of faculty.
After a large tailgate on campus at Tailgate Alley, fans saw the Lyon Scots football team win the Homecoming game against Oklahoma Panhandle State University, with a final score of 29-16. During halftime, Ridge Hester, ‘19, and Natalie Milligan, ‘19, were crowned Homecoming King and Queen, and Kappa Sigma Fraternity was announced as the winners of both the Legacy Cup and Greek Challenge.
As the weekend closed on Sunday, the traditional Kirkin’ O’ the Tartans worship service was held in conjunction with a rededication of Brown Chapel. That afternoon, the annual Club 50 luncheon honored the alumni who graduated 50 or more years ago. Spearheading most of the events was the director and chief engagement officer for alumni and parents, Cindy Barber.
“It was a wonderful time to be on campus as we honored family, friendships and tradition, and excitement is building for the future of Lyon College,” said Barber.
Ridge Hester, ‘19, and Natalie Milligan, ‘19, were crowned Homecoming King and Queen at this year’s Lyon College Homecoming / Image via Lyon College
