| You Can Go
Home Again!
“Discover More in ’04” Attracts
Hundreds of Alumni and Families"
BACK FOR THEIR 20TH class reunion at Homecoming
2004, Greg Lund ’84 and Kirsten Axe Lund ’84 not only enjoyed seeing
old friends and reliving their days as students on campus, but they
also took a keen interest in showing their oldest son around the
place.
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| The band Elevate warmed
up the crowd to open the Student Talent Show. |
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Just maybe, they said, he’ll walk in their footsteps one day.
Hundreds of alumni like the Lunds “came home” January 22–24 for “Discover
More in ’04,” a kaleidoscope of reunions, theatre, concerts, sports
and open houses. They worshipped together, cheered on the Falcons
and paid tribute to 2004 Alumnus of the Year Ed Vander Pol ’72. They
also renewed relationships with friends — and with their alma mater.
On Thursday, January 22, visitors gathered at First Free Methodist
Church adjacent to campus for the Alumnus of the Year Chapel. Vander
Pol, co-owner and co-president of Oak Harbor Freight Lines, spoke
to students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends about “Living the
Forgiving, Responsible and Prepared Life.” Also on the program were
the Chapel Worship Team and the Concert Choir.
The ever-popular Student
Talent Show took the stage Friday night in Brougham Pavilion. This
year’s roster featured violinists, rock bands, Irish dancing — and
an Elvis impersonator.
After a full morning of Homecoming activities,
alumni gathered for the President’s Luncheon on Saturday, January
24. Four exemplary alumni were honored with Medallion Awards, and
the Alumni Choir performed with gusto. President Eaton introduced
the strategic 10-year plan, “A Blueprint for Excellence,” as he spoke
to alumni about “The Power of Modeling: Two Ways to Change the World.” Eaton
said he believes that the University can and should be in the world-changing
business as “we model the thrill, the joy, the exuberance of discovering
that God loves the world, that God loves all of his children, and
that God wants all of his children to flourish.”
Later, SPRINT held
its 20th anniversary celebration; the “voice” of God encircled rapt
audiences at performances of “J.B.,” the Pulitzer Prize-winning play
by Archibald MacLeish; and the Falcon men’s and women’s basketball
teams came out ahead of their opponents by a combined 59 points.
Seniors Bri Clark and Barney Kropf were crowned Homecoming Queen
and King during halftime; and nine classes assembled for reunions
that were both tearful and joyous.
Simultaneous with Homecoming,
students and their families enjoyed Family Weekend ’04. Moms, dads,
spouses and siblings visited residence halls and sat in on classes.
They also mingled with returning graduates at the annual Row and
Run, where track and cross country runners raced on land against
both the men’s eight and the women’s eight rowers, who battled wind
and whitecaps on the water.
“There’s nothing like Homecoming,” says
Doug Taylor ’87, director of alumni relations. “It’s wonderful to
see so many people reconnect with their Seattle Pacific experiences
and classmates. Some just pick up where they left off; others haven’t
been back in ages and are amazed at what they see.”
To see more Homecoming photos, see .
— BY CLINT KELLY
— PHOTOS BY JOHN KEATLEY AND NICK ONKEN
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