Tuesday, October 09, 2007

IWU Homecoming 2007- What a DUD!

Well, last weekend was IWU's Homecoming weekend. To say I was disappointed, would be an understatement. Actually, I have to say that the Point of Grace/IWU Chorale concert on Friday night was excellent. I thoroughly enjoyed myself (especially the part where Prof Guy asked all Chorale alumni to come up and join the chorale for their final number and I got to pretend to still know the words and alto part to A Mighty Fortress 17 years later)! Yikes!! Am I that old? Anywho...On Sat. we made our way to the athletic fields where this year's Homecoming festivities were to take place. Much to my dismay, there was nothing there except inflatable toys for the kids I don't have, and a tent for the meal that I was not going to eat. There was a booth where I got to write down my name and throw it in a basket. What did I win, you might wonder? Nothing. Just a card to let them know I came. I was hunting for the boothes that used to sell things like carmel apples, t-shirts, etc... but found nothing. I was looking for the stage where the music groups sing and entertain us...it was nowhere to be found. I guess I could forgive all that because it's really about coming to see all my old friends from college, right?Where were the people that I came to see? Well, I saw Anon, Deb W., Doug P., Jim and Jaena, Shelli from a distance, so that sounds great, right? It would be except they are all in my Sunday school class and I see them every week. ( Not that I don't always enjoy seeing them! ) Sue and I watched a few innings of the softball game, but in the 90 degree heat, it just wasn't worth it. So, we were out of there by 12:00. I was very discouraged by the obvious decline in the Homecoming festivities. I hear there has been a marked improvement in the torch run and bonfire that kicks off the weekend with the current students, but to me HOMECOMING implies the act of coming home by the ALUMNI. I would like to see a little more focus put into making the weekend special for those who are coming back. How about an ALUMNI tent where we have drawings with those cards for small give aways? Just a thought. It's not like our money didn't help build the mighty fortress known as IWU. Well, I could go on and on. The sarcasm is dripping from me today if you couldn't tell. Must be the changing weather...Was anyone else disappointed, or was it just me?

4 comments:

Deb said...

I agree. The inflatables for the kids were nice, but I miss the days where the student center was lined with booths. I would think that would draw more people into the bookstore, too. The food was disappointing - $5.50 each, even for my 4 year old who had a bun and a bottle of water. There were conflicting stories - some said 12 and under were free, but the lady we talked to wouldn't budge.

However, it has been so long since I've seen you that it was nice to at least get a glimpse at homecoming! I did see you at the chorale number - it was amazing to me how you all got right back in that chorale position. I could tell everyone enjoyed it.

We'll be out of church the next two weeks, so see you in the new building!

Anonymous said...

Sorry to hear it was not all you had hoped it would be. Keep writing and don't get discouraged about the class at school the will come around you are a great educator! We miss you!

JJ

Anon said...

Yeah, agree.

Total dud.

Me said...

Did you have any hand in planning this event? If not, have you signed up to plan this year's event? No? Then, shame on you. Who are you to criticize? YOU ARE THE DUD HERE!!!