Brewton-Parker College Celebrates Homecoming
On the weekend of February 11, Brewton-Parker College (BPC) welcomed alumni and families back to campus for the annual Homecoming and Alumni Weekend. Events included a wrestling match, basketball games, BPC homecoming court, and an alumni choir concert followed by a luncheon. Homecoming Weekend was jam-packed with fellowship, singing, and cheering on the Barons in the various athletic games.
On Friday evening, BPC’s homecoming court was presented in Gilder Recital Hall. The following are the class representatives: Freshman represen tatives Shaylin Walton and Zailan Blue; Sophomore repre sentatives Amerie Daniels and Malik Brown; Junior representa tives Olivia Cason and Antrell Williams; Female senior repre sentatives Lara Bernal, Kamryn Laster, Camille Mendez, and MacKenzie Tripp; Male senior rep resentatives Emmanuel Green, Jeffery Huff, Nathan Shields, and Lance Smith.
BPC’s 2023 Homecoming Queen and King are MacKenzie Tripp and Emmanuel Green.
Saturday started with the Alumni Choir Concert, in which over 100 choir alumni participated in singing. Music alumni from all walks of life were asked to conduct or accompany the choir throughout the performance. The concert was a blessing to the school by showing how dedicated alumni are to reunite and join each other in praise and worship. Before the concert portion, Kenny Peters, National Alumni Board President, presented several alumni awards to distinguished members of BPC’s alumni community.
The recipients of those awards are as follows: Clay Layeld and Niki McLeroy received the Music Alumni award.
Jesse Crews received the Half-Century Club award.
Je Waters received the Ministerial Alumni award.
Brandon McCarden received the Young Alumni award.
Christie Roller re ceived the Friend of the Year award.
Following the awards, the graduating class of 1973 was inducted into the Half-Century Club of BPC.
Kenny Peters shared, “It has been an honor serving as the alumni board president for the last four years.
This year’s Homecoming and Alumni Weekend were a tremendous success. God is truly working at BPC!”
Mr. Peters concluded his term as the BPC National Alumni Board President this year, passing the gavel to Todd McInnis.
Brewton-Parker College President, Dr. Steven Echols, gave a college update and spoke about the future of BPC. He expressed the need for repairs to be made to the Schantz Organ located in Saliba Chapel. BPC’s organ is one of a kind in south Georgia. Over $25,000 was donated to assist with the repairs needed for the pipe organ. The funds donated by families and alumni during the weekend will help maintain the instrument that has become a campus staple.
Longtime Brewton-Parker Professor Dr. Hildegard Stanley stated, “Music students [as far back as 1966] gathered to sing and fellowship during Homecoming Weekend. Only they could perform a concert after only three and a half hours of rehearsal and multiple conductors. Glorious choral sound accompanied by artists at the piano and organ.”
The success of the 50th reunion for the class of 1973 and the choir concert created a memorable homecoming weekend. Following the concert, alumni relocated across campus to the newly renovated Briscoe-Goble Center for a luncheon. Brewton- Parker is pleased with the involvement of this year’s homecoming festivities and looks forward to seeing alumni back on campus next year.