Northwestern to host Raider Nation Homecoming Celebration

Northwestern College will hold Raider Nation Celebration, the college’s annual Homecoming and Family Weekend, Oct. 6–7. The weekend’s events include class reunions, banquets, athletic events, a music showcase, and traditions such as the Morning on the Green carnival.

At 10:05 Friday morning, Felipe ’12 and Janelle (de Waard ’11) Silva will speak in chapel. Felipe and Janelle are the directors of Fara Limite Climbing Gym, which serves at-risk children and teens, and helped plant Anchor Church in the Jiu Valley of Romania.

Friday evening, Northwestern will host its Celebration Banquet, an event that recognizes the generosity of donors and the achievements of students. All Northwestern supporters are invited to attend the banquet, which begins in the Rowenhorst Student Center with appetizers at 5:15 p.m. Email Carrie Anderson at codell@nwciowa.edu or call 712-707-7110 by Sept. 29 to reserve a seat.

At 6 p.m. Raider softball alumni and fans are invited to attend the softball game against Southwest Minnesota State. Former players will be recognized before the game.

The Northwestern College theatre department will present the children’s play, “One Snowy Night,” at 7 in the DeWitt Theatre Arts Center. A matinee performance will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday. To reserve tickets, visit nwciowa.edu/tickets.

At 8 p.m. Rend Collective, a Christian folk rock worship band from Northern Ireland, will perform live in Christ Chapel. In addition to music from their latest album, “Whosoever,” the concert will feature hits like “My Lighthouse,” “Build Your Kingdom Here” and “Your Name Is Power.” General admission tickets are $26 and can be purchased at  echoconcerts.com. Concert-goers can purchase early-entry tickets for $40. A $75 deluxe ticket includes first entry into the chapel and a post-concert photo with the band.

At 9 a.m. Saturday, Raider Nation Celebration continues with the annual Red Raider Road Race. Visit nwciowa.edu/raider-road-race for registration details. Also at 9, Red Raider alumni games will include baseball at the NWC/MOC-Floyd Valley baseball diamond and men’s basketball in the Bultman Center.

From 10 a.m. to noon, Morning on the Green will take place on the campus green. The family-friendly carnival will include games and prizes with proceeds to support student clubs and organizations. At 10, members of the reunion classes of 1973 and ’83 can check in at the Ramaker Center for information and campus tours. Members of the reunion class of 2003 can check in at the Vogel Community Room in the DeWitt Learning Commons. A hymn sing will be held at 10:45 a.m. in Christ Chapel, accompanied by organist MaryLou Wielenga.

A tailgate picnic lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the campus green. The cost is $8 for adults and $6 for children ages 6 to 10; children five and under eat free. Space for the reunion classes of 1973, ’83 and ’03 will be reserved under the tailgate tent.

Raider Nation Celebration’s Saturday events will also include the Athletic Awards Luncheon honoring Hall of Fame inductees and athletic award winners, as well as an evening banquet to celebrate the 2023 distinguished alumni: Felipe and Janelle (de Waard) Silva, Romania; Dr. John Swart, Orange City; Curtis Weerheim, Lebanon, Ohio; and Dawn (Te Brink) Wieking, Sioux Falls, South Dakota. An evening reception for members of the 1973 and 1983 championship football teams will be held at Landsmeer Golf and Country Club.

The Red Raider football team will kick off against Hastings College at 1:30 p.m. Students’ parents can get into the game for free with their student’s ID. During halftime, the 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award winners will be recognized and the dance team will perform. The Raiders’ 1973 and 1983 national championship football teams will also be honored.

All alumni and friends of Northwestern as well as students’ family members are invited to Raider Nation Celebration. For more information, visit nwciowa.edu/homecoming, or contact Carrie Anderson at codell@nwciowa.edu or 712-707-7110.