Check out the RECAP VIDEO for Homecoming 2012
During the 2012 Homecoming we celebrated our amazing students and fabulous alumni by hosting them together on campus! It was a great time of fellowship to give everyone a glimpse of what life at Vanguard is like today. We loved seeing alumni, current students, families, faculty and staff mingle and connect over their shared Vanguard experiences.
The week started with Alumni speakers and worship leaders featured in our morning chapel sessions. Tuesday was our Homecoming Kickoff with Worship Leader Jared Rich ’08 and speaker Brenton Fessler ’02, former director of Frontline, current Vanguard adjunct Religion faculty and associate Pastor at North Hills Church. Wednesday, Aaron Al-Imam ’04 lead Chapel in worship and the speaker was Jim Peugh ’01 MA, former director of Student Leadership from 1997-2002 and current chaplain for the U.S. Navy Special Warfare Group. For Thursday, Alumni Award winners Rick Francis ’87 and Marsha Caradonna ’00, MBA ’08 shared with us, while Rick’s daughter Lauren Francis ’10 led worship.
A final Alumni Chapel tradition was held in Needham Chapel on Saturday of Homecoming weekend to honor the 2012 Alumni Award Winners and the Golden Vanguard Society. The Message was given by President Carol Taylor, who shared the state of Vanguard address. Music from the talented Vanguard Singers and Band also accompanied the service. The Golden Vanguard Society, Alumni from 1920-1961, was recognized while the Class of 1962 was inducted as new GVS members. Alumni Award Recipients included Alumnus of the Year: Ron Prettyman ’77, Career Achievement Award: Rick Francis ’87, Distinguished Service Award: David G. Clark ’68, Young Alumna of the Year: Marsha Caradonna ’00, MBA ’08.
Friday, February 10 Homecoming started with the Vanguard’s 4th Annual Environmental Sustainability Conference. VU’s chapter of Students in Free Enterprise hosted local business owners, professionals, students, and alums. Among the 11 nationally known speakers at the event were Jennifer Schwab (Sierra Club Green Home), Nicole Suydam ’95 (Goodwill of Orange County), Kallie Dovel ‘08 (31 Bits), and Tyler Merrick (Project 7). Conference hosts were Matt Ross ’00 and Jon McCormick ’00. The conference went from 9am-4pm and had a great turnout from our environmentally conscious community.
Through the course of the day and weekend a Hospitality Room was available to guests in the Forrest Room. A tour of a special Homecoming exhibit of Vanguard traditions and archives were on display and campus tours were offered from 3-5pm for families and guests. Dinner followed on Friday night for a chance to meet the Alumni Relations office staff in the Café from 5-7PM. The evening also offered a gathering in The Cove for music alums to reconnect with family and friends and to hear the latest VU Music Department news. Another reunion for MBA graduates was held with Alumni Director Joel Gackle and Joy Petrie ‘03 at the new Wahoo’s Fish Tacos at Fashion Island, co-founded and hosted by Ed Lee ’87.
What better way to end the evening than with some of Vanguard’s greatest musical talent? A Concert in the Cove held a full house and coffee shop setting on Friday night. 
Opening acts included current VU students: lovely singer Lynette Alegria, accompanied on piano by Isaiah Ketcham, and an up-and-coming diverse acapella group called VU Soul. The feature performance of the evening was the Alternative Pop band with an innovative yet smooth sound, Stripe Coats featuring Joe Lopez ’02.
Saturday began early with a morning rally for Alumni Serve—prayer, fellowship, doughnuts and coffee included! Participants served Operation Independence and Feed the Hungry ministries, just like VU’s annual City Serve days. They met back on campus for lunch in the Cove lot with Gourmet Food Trucks. Tables filled with students and alumni of all classes as delicious entrees were served from Crepes Bonaparte and The Burnt Truck. The Vanguard’s Jazz combo made for a perfect lunch break before “class.”
The “Back to Class” workshops were held in two sessions throughout Heath Academic Center and had a tremendous turnout! Each class was packed with Alumni eager to learn again.
The first sessions offered Faith and Politics – Insight on the 2012 Elections, presented by Dr. Mike Wilson ’83, History & Political Science faculty, and Financial Vitality in the Midst of a Recession Presented by Mike Peters ’80, CPA & CFP and the Vanguard Foundation Board.
The second sessions were Caring for the Soul that is You, Encouraging words and soul care practices with Dr. Bill Dogterom, Religion faculty, and Veterans Play Theater performance and Actors’ workshop for a new play project by Warren Doody ’79 depicting stories of Vanguard’s student Veterans. Attendees watched and provided great and interactive feedback for the powerful performance. Some of the audience even stayed a few hours after the show to talk with the cast and playwright about the project and offer their ideas and support! The Alumni cast included: Rosalyn Brickman ’12, Michael Dye ’10, Ryan Miller ’10, Lucas Moore ’11, and Paige Murray ’10.
While Alumni were in Back to Class Sessions, their kids had some fun of their own! Kids Zone on the Towers Lobby offered activities like sand volleyball, bounce house, Wii, showing of “The Lion King,” and various playground games. All were supervised by the Vanguard Student Government Association. There was also a Youth Basketball Clinic held in the gym, hosted by the Vanguard Basketball coaching staff. Boys and girls ages 6-14 learned basketball skills in The Pit while their parents were in class. Attendees of the Youth Basketball Clinic received free admission to the Homecoming basketball games that night, too!
To start off the games of the evening, Intramural All-Stars challenged Alumni of Noonball Basketball fame in an Alumni vs. All-Star Intramural basketball game! The Alumni team was tough, but the Intramural All-Stars gained bragging rights for their win in the game. Alumni team was led by Mike Wilson ‘83 and Jeff Melton ’11 while the Intramural All-Stars were coached by Levi Seekins ‘06. Next year, this game can only get bigger and better; we’d love to amp up our Alumni Team participation for next year, so for any Men and Women basketball enthusiasts who’d like to play next year, let Mike Wilson ’83 know at alumni@vanguard.edu .
A Pre-Game BBQ dinner was held in the Caf and catered by Bon Appetit! There was not an empty seat in the entire dining area as Alumni, current students, families and friends reconnected about the weekend’s events. There was delicious BBQ style cookout, homemade desserts, and giveaways at every table. It was a great way to amp up the excitement before the Homecoming games.
As the Men & Women’s Basketball teams took on The Master’s College for the games of the night, the Pit was packed with Vanguard Blue & Gold fans. First, the Ladies held a continual court advantage, winning with a score of 77-65. After enduring some difficult endings in their recent four-game swoon, the Men’s team stepped up in an intensely close game. Giving it their all, the Lions ended victoriously with a 69-68 lead. It was quite a nail-biting game to witness! To read a full report of the Homecoming games, check out Vanguard Athletic News. Alumni and friends caught up in the VIP “Alumni Upperdeck” to indulge in favorite concession snacks, share hilarious stories from their Vanguard experiences, and cheer on the winning teams.
Thanks so much to everyone who came and celebrated this Homecoming Weekend with us! We hope you had a great time reconnecting with former classmates and had a chance to meet some new friends–we definitely did! We look forward to seeing you next year for Homecoming 2013.
Read a RECAP of Homecoming & Family Weekend from 2011
