Harding University invites you to celebrate Homecoming 2021

Oct. 19, 2021 | Homecoming |

Harding University invites you to celebrate its 97th anniversary Oct. 21-23. The Homecoming weekend will incorporate everything students, alumni, faculty, staff and community love about Harding, including this year’s theatre production, “Elf The Musical”.

“After not meeting in person last year, there is an increased sense of anticipation for Homecoming this year,” said Heather Kemper, director of alumni and parent relations. “We are absolutely ecstatic to welcome our alumni and guests back on campus. With almost one hundred events on the calendar for the weekend, our guests can experience brand new events as well as those with longstanding traditions they've enjoyed year after year.”

This year’s theatre production, “Elf The Musical,” is the Broadway-style musical adapted by Bob Martin and Thomas Meehan, which tells the story of Buddy, a young orphan, who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The would-be elf is raised, unaware that he is actually a human until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth.

Tickets can be purchased for $18 or $20 at hardingtickets.com, the alumni and ticket office in the David B. Burks American Heritage Building or at the door. Tickets at the door will be $20. Immediately following the musical, join the cast for a meet and greet in the student center. For more information, contact the alumni and ticket office at 501-279-4276.

In addition to the annual musical, there will be several other Homecoming activities on campus.

Thursday, Oct. 21

• Lady Bison soccer vs. Oklahoma Baptist, 5 p.m., Stevens Soccer Complex
• Bison soccer vs. Northeastern State, 7 p.m., Stevens Soccer Complex

Friday, Oct. 20

• Linda Byrd Smith Museum of Biblical Archaeology, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (same hours on Saturday), McInteer Center for Bible and World Missions
• Mike James Retrospective Photography Show, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday), Stevens Art Gallery
• Black Student Association Choir, 2-3 p.m., Benson steps
• Good News Singers, 3 p.m., McInteer Rotunda
• “Live at Five” broadcast, 5 p.m., Reynolds Center TV studio
• Volleyball vs. Southeastern Oklahoma, 6 p.m., Rhodes Reaves Field House
• Bison 3K G.L.O.W. Run, 8 p.m., 8 p.m., Bison Park in front of the Ganus Activities Complex, race information and registration at runsignup.com/bisonglowrun

Saturday, Oct. 22

• Great American Conference Cross Country Championships, 9:30 a.m., 1214 Fuller Lane, Searcy
• Alumni Chapel, 10-10:30 a.m., Administration Auditorium
• Harding Chorus and Alumni Chorus performance with reception honoring Cliff Ganus III following, 10 a.m., McInteer Rotunda
• Harding authors book signing, 10:45 a.m.-12 p.m., Hammon Student Center in front of bookstore
• Dedication of the Anthony and Wright Administration Building, 11 a.m., front lawn in front of Administration Building
• Bison Soccer vs. Southern Nazarene, 11 a.m., Steven Soccer Complex
• Pied Pipers children’s theatre troupe, 11 a.m., Benson steps
• Volleyball vs. East Central, 11 a.m., Rhodes-Reaves Field House
• Harding family picnic, food trucks and giant tailgate celebration, 11 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Ganus Activities Complex and Bison Park, Belles and Beaux concert at 1 p.m.
• Homecoming Parade, 11:45 a.m., begins on E. Pleasure Ave. through Legacy Park ending at First Security Stadium
• Bison football vs. University of Arkansas at Monticello, 3 p.m. First Security Stadium
• Sankofa Gala sponsored by the African American Alumni Association, 6:30 p.m., Cone Chapel. Tickets available in the alumni office or online at www.hardingtickets.com.