Northwestern announces plans for Raider Days

Northwestern College will celebrate Raider Days, the college’s annual Homecoming and Parents Weekend, Sept. 29–30, with reunions, celebratory banquets, and traditions such as the Red Raider Road Race and Morning on the Green carnival as well as Red Raider athletic events.

Friday evening beginning at 5 p.m., Northwestern will host its Celebration Banquet (an event previously known as the Legacy Celebration Banquet). All Northwestern College supporters are invited to attend the banquet, which will include a showcase of student accomplishments and musical and dramatic entertainment. Cost for the banquet is $15; reservations can be made with event coordinator Aletha Beeson, 712-707-7134 or events@nwciowa.edu. (Select donors to the college will be notified ahead of time and receive complimentary tickets at the door.)

On Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., eight classes (2017, 2012, 2007, 1997, 1992, 1987, 1977 and 1967) will celebrate reunions at a tailgate picnic on campus. Members of the class of 1977 are also invited to be special guests at a reception for artist Bob Kroese, a 1977 alumnus who is exhibiting his bird sculptures in TePaske Art Gallery. The artist reception is at 9 a.m.; the exhibit is open to the public from 8 a.m. to midnight. A traveling exhibit titled “German Iowa and the Global Midwest” is also on display in the DeWitt Learning Commons during Raider Days.

Alumni and students of Northwestern’s graduate school and adult learning programs are invited to socialize in the DeWitt Learning Commons’ first-floor coffee bar, Common Grounds, from 9 to 10 a.m. on Saturday. Alumni baseball, softball, and men’s basketball and soccer games will be played in athletic venues around campus. Former Red Raiders are invited to contact athletic department assistant Kara Smit, kara.smit@nwciowa.edu or 712-707-7280, to participate.

Raider Days’ Saturday celebration will include an Athletic Recognition Luncheon honoring seven former Red Raider athletes and an evening banquet to celebrate the 2017 distinguished alumni: Stanley Bonnema ’67, Waconia, Minn.; Rev. JP Sundararajan ’00, Holland, Mich; and Marilyn Van Engelenhoven ’65, Orange City.

Raider Days events open to everyone on Saturday, Sept. 30, include the 24th annual Red Raider Road Race at 9 a.m. Pre-registration is $25/runner and $15/walker; cost for runners the day of the race is $30. Visit nwciowa.edu/raider-road-race for registration details.

From 10 a.m. to noon, enjoy Morning on the Green in the center of campus. The carnival will include games and prizes; proceeds support student clubs and organizations. At 10:30 a.m., students’ parents can check in and receive a schedule of the day’s events at the Ramaker Center, and alumni are invited to enjoy refreshments with emeriti faculty and staff in Ramaker Center’s Fireside Room.

A tailgate picnic lunch will be served on the campus green from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cost is $7 for adults and $5 for kids ages 6 to 10; children five and under eat free. The Raider football team will kick off against the Morningside Mustangs at 1:30 p.m. on Korver Field; students’ parents can get into the game for free with their student’s ID. The women’s and men’s soccer teams will also play at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., respectively. The games against Mount Marty are free.

Roald Dahl’s comedic classic, “Fantastic Mr. Fox,” takes the DeWitt Theatre stage Saturday at 4 p.m. (There is also a showing at 7 p.m. Friday night.) Tickets for either performance are free for alumni and can be reserved at nwciowa.edu/tickets starting Sept. 19. Day-of-show tickets will also be available at the door.

The Northwestern College music department will present a free concert at 7 p.m. in Christ Chapel, followed by a reception for the parents of students involved in music at Northwestern.

All alumni and friends of Northwestern as well as students’ family members are invited to Raider Days. For more information, visit nwciowa.edu/RaiderDays, or contact the Raider Days event staff at 712-707-7134 or events@nwciowa.edu.