Northwestern to host Raider Nation Homecoming Celebration

Northwestern College will hold Raider Nation Celebration, the college’s annual Homecoming and Family Weekend, Oct. 4–5. The weekend’s events include class reunions, banquets, athletic events, a music showcase, and traditions such as the Morning on the Green carnival.

“We are so excited to offer a variety of opportunities for alumni, parents and guests to connect with Northwestern and our campus community,” says Ross Fernstrum, director of the Northwestern Network.

At 10:05 Friday morning, the Rev. Jon Opgenorth will speak in chapel. Opgenorth, a 1988 Northwestern alumnus, is the president of Words of Hope in Grand Rapids, Michigan, which provides people around the world with daily access to Scripture through a variety of media.

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. Email Carrie Anderson at codell@nwciowa.edu or call 712-707-7110 by Sept. 20 to reserve a seat.

The Northwestern College theatre department will present the children’s play, “The Perfect Dog,” at 7 p.m. 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 7:30 p.m. Raider volleyball alumni and fans are invited to attend the volleyball match against Doane University.  The volleyball team will play again on Saturday at 5 p.m. versus Hastings.

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 field.

The women’s tennis team hosts Mount Marty at 9 a.m. and will return to action against Buena Vista at 3 p.m.

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 1974 and ’84 can check in at the Ramaker Center for information and campus tours. Members of the reunion class of 2004 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.

A tailgate picnic lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the campus green. The cost is $9 for adults and $7 for children ages 6 to 10; children five and under eat free. Space for the reunion classes of 1974, ’84 and ’04 will be reserved under the tailgate tent.

Alumni who lived in Colenbrander Hall, which will be razed this winter, are invited to walk through the building between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

The Red Raider football team will kick off against Concordia University of Nebraska at 1:30 p.m. During halftime, the 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award winners will be recognized and the dance team will perform.

A come-and-go social time will be held from 4-6 p.m. at Gezellig in downtown Orange City (109 Central Ave. NE). Complimentary appetizers will be provided and a cash bar will be available.

The women’s soccer team will play host to Hastings at 5 p.m., with the men’s contest following at 7:15.

A 5:30 p.m. banquet in Vermeer Dining Room will celebrate Northwestern’s 2024 distinguished alumni: Dr. Darla (Vander Sluis ’84) Olson, Grandville, Michigan; the Rev. Jon Opgenorth ’88, Zeeland, Michigan; Dr. Dick Van Holland ’58, Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and Alyssa (Currier ’14) Wheeler, Arlington, Virginia.

At 7 p.m. Saturday, Northwestern’s music ensembles will present their first concert of the year in Christ Chapel.

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