The Hiding Place
As part of the Homecoming chapel service on Thursday morning, senior Alison Lee of Germantown Hills, Illinois, was crowned Homecoming queen and senior Nathan Gonzalez of Kenosha, Wisconsin, was crowned king during the 66th annual coronation ceremony. Members of the court also included Tsakani Chambo, Natalie Cook, Kelli Neal, Makenzie Sherwood, Adam Keller, Kwame McGee, Derek Stark and Joshua Wolfe. Also during the service, Ministerial “O” Award recipient Rev. Rob Prince ’85 and Young Alumni Award recipient Ben Heller ’13 were recognized and gave testimony to the role of faith in their professional careers. Following tradition on Thursday evening, the Alumni Board served breakfast to the student body in Ludwig Center at the Throwback Thursday Student Pancake Feed. Friday morning, campus was abuzz with alumni and friends checking out departmental open houses, taking campus tours and filing in to attend the inauguration of Olivet’s 13th president, Gregg A. Chenoweth ’90, Ph.D. During the ceremony, Dr. Chenoweth was installed by Dr. Ron Blake ’78, chair of the Board of Trustees, and a covenant litany was read by representatives of Olivet constituents. Dr. Shirley Hoogstra, president of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, also was honored with the Maggie Sloan Crawford Award, which recognizes an outstanding woman whose life exemplifies Christian ideals and a commitment to service. In celebration of the historic inauguration, Dr. Chenoweth also hosted a breakfast for the Board of Trustees and a luncheon for members of the Leadership Society. At both meals, a panel of esteemed alumni shared about how their Olivet education propelled them into extraordinary careers. The panel was moderated by Dr. Kent Olney, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. 14 OLIVET.EDU
In the afternoon, the Quad was full of students in purple and gold enjoying food trucks and outdoor games. Following the women’s and men’s basketball victories and the official dedication of the McHie Arena court to the late Ralph “Tres” Hodge ’75/’96 M.A.E., the night concluded with the Taste of Olivet dessert reception in Chalfant Hall. On Saturday, the classes of 2016, 2011, 2006, 2001, 1996, 1991, 1986, 1981, 1976, 1971 and Purple & Gold Grads (anyone who graduated prior to 1971) gathered in the morning to celebrate their undergraduate reunions. Because they missed last year’s reunions due to the pandemic, the classes of 2020, 2015, 2010, 2005, 2000, 1995, 1990, 1985, 1980, 1975 and 1970 met in the afternoon for reunions. The afternoon also included wins from the football and men’s soccer teams. In the evening, many guests attended the School of Music concert featuring alumni soloists and the full University Orchestra led by Dr. Neal Woodruff ’91. Throughout the weekend, there were multiple opportunities to take in a show at Strickler Planetarium and to see the fall play, The Hiding Place, produced by ONU Theatre. The weekend concluded on Sunday morning with the President’s Prayer Breakfast. Orpheus Choir, led by Dr. Jeff Bell ’81, opened the breakfast, followed by testimonies from Lay “O” Award recipient Dr. Rick Dykhouse ’85 and Young Alumni Award recipient Dr. Katie Fitzgerald ’15, and congregational singing led by Dr. Marvin Jones, Dr. Don Reddick ’79, Jackie Owens ’11 and Joy Nance ’80. First Lady Tammy (Salyer) Chenoweth ’89 gave a prayer of thanksgiving.