Featured photo: Lyon’s mascots Carson Matthews (left) and Patrick Mitchell (right) made their mark during Homecoming and Family Weekend.
Lyon College Junior Carson Matthews and sophomore Patrick Mitchell donned their kilts and war paint, and the Fighting Scots returned to the field on Saturday, Sept. 28, helping fans cheer on the Lyon Scots football team at Pioneer Stadium. The Scots won the Homecoming game against the Texas Wesleyan University Rams with a score of 53-45, breaking multiple records.
During halftime, seniors Ayden Henry and Kendra Kelley were crowned Homecoming King and Queen. The Zeta Beta Tau fraternity won the Greek Challenge, and the Kappa Sigma fraternity won the Legacy Cup.
Over 700 students, alumni, families, and friends of Lyon College gathered for Homecoming to share memories, enjoy family fun, tailgate on campus, and cheer on the Scots.
Cindy Barber, director of alumni engagement at Lyon, said every alumni event saw increased attendance over last year. About 90 people attended the Alumni Awards Banquet on Friday, and the Club 50 luncheon on Sunday was full, with about 45 attendees. The new Young Alumni Post-Game Party on Saturday drew in about 60 attendees.
“We had over 60 people at the All Alumni Gathering, with the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s, and the 10s all represented,” said Barber. “It was incredible.”
On Friday, the Career Center’s Career EXPLO was held in Becknell Gymnasium. The all-campus career fair featured 20 businesses and nonprofits, three professional schools, and 29 graduate school programs for students to explore. EXPLO is a beneficial avenue for students not only to explore career options and opportunities but also to build their professional network.
“In keeping with the career center’s mission of preparing students for life after Lyon, this event also aids in the clarification of career goals and helps students be more competitive in their future endeavors,” said Lara Lauterbach, assistant director of career services at Lyon.
“EXPLO 2019 was a great success, and we look forward to hosting it again next year,” said Lauterbach.
Lyon later honored outstanding alumni and friends of the college on Friday with the Alumni Awards Banquet.
Lindsay “Charlie” (Hodge) Brink and Dr. Chris R. Middaugh, Lyon class of ’09, received the Patterson Decade Award. Brink currently works for an non-governmental organization in northeast Nigeria, conducting design research to inform programming aimed at building household resilience in conflict settings. Middaugh is a research biologist at the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission in Little Rock.
Jessican (Brents) Dunham, Lyon class of ’09, received the Decade of Service Award. Dunham is currently the director of events at EAST Initiative, an educational nonprofit headquartered in Little Rock.
G. Gene Crawford II, class of ’85, received the Distinguished Alumnus Award. Crawford is the president of the trust division of Citizens Bank.
“I would like to thank the Lyon Alumni Council for this honor,” Crawford said. “Lyon College connected the dots of my life. Lyon is more than an education. It’s an introduction to community service and a challenge to make the world a better place.”
Admiral Robert Carius received the Honorary Alumnus Award. Carius served in the U.S. Navy for 34 years and was a member of Lyon’s science faculty for 10 years.
Ann Westmoreland Taylor, class of ’60, received the Lifetime of Service Award. She had a long career at the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville, first as the coordinator of the Arkansas Single Parent/Displaced Homemaker Program and later as an English instructor. She earned the Teaching Excellence Award in 1996 and was named Professor Emeritus in 1999.
“I feel honored and undeserving to receive this award,” Taylor said. “In September 1956, my mom first brought me to this campus. My heart has been here ever since.”
The weekend closed on Sunday with the traditional Kirkin’ O’ the Tartans worship service and the annual Club 50 luncheon, which honors alumni who graduated 50 or more years ago. Dr. Terrell Tebbetts was named an honorary Club 50 member.
Image via Lyon College
