I
t was like a breath of fresh air, people gathering with joy to catch up with old friends and classmates, walk the halls and hills they remember from years past and experience something that had seemed out of reach for far too long. "I think that this year’s Homecoming was a cool drink of water to thirsty souls,” said Martha Pirkle, Director of Alumni and Community Relations. “We all missed each other a lot after not having had that personal interaction because of the pandemic last year. It was like a huge family reunion with everybody laughing and catching up again.” Visitors brought excitement and rever-
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ence to the Hill as they attended events on campus and off. The energy transferred from campus to downtown LaGrange, where alumni braved wet weather to gather for Flashback Friday at Overlook Plaza, enjoy custom cocktails and the music of The Reasons Why. Saturday may have given the biggest indication of the palpable energy alumni brought as the parking lot in front of Callaway Auditorium was alive with activity as cars, grills—filling the air with the smoky smell of cooked meats—music, children playing and groups of people laughing and sharing their enjoyment overtook the area. From a full reunion tent to lively Greek
tailgating spots, alumni and students mingled and enjoyed their time together. The evening’s 50th anniversary celebration of sororities Phi Mu, Kappa Delta and Alpha Omicron Pi also packed out Highland Country Club. The excitement and activity built as former sorority members and their families celebrated late into the night with dancing, recollections over photos and recognition for the chartering members. “This year proved the old saying, ‘Absence makes the heart grow fonder,’” Pirkle said.
