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Homecoming 2015

Maximum Maroon

By Clint Kelly (ckelly@spu.edu) | Photos by Mike Siegel and Luke Rutan

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Homecoming 2015 drew hundreds of Seattle Pacific University alumni back to campus for the unique annual celebration. Multiple decades and generations enjoyed a cavalcade of tours, sports competitions, affinity group reunions, and talent showcases, punctuated by long hugs and handshakes between old roommates, teammates, and soul mates.

Kari Newbill Lannon ’95, sporting a new doctorate in clinical psychology, made the trip from Virginia Beach, Virginia, for her 20-year class reunion.

Shakespeare aficionados packed E.E. Bach Theatre for visceral performances of King Lear, featuring retiring Professor of Theatre George Scranton ’69 in the title role.

Falcon fans cheered a basketball doubleheader in Royal Brougham Pavilion. The women’s team prevailed over rival Montana State Billings 64-55, while the men lost to Simon Fraser University 84–83.

Alumni honored at the Homecoming luncheon included Alumnus of the Year Rick Reynolds ’75. “God gave me homeless people,” said the executive director of Operation Nightwatch. “My job is to figure out what God is doing in their lives.”

2015 Homecoming Award winners (left to right): Medallion Award winner Gordon Werkema ’80; Young Alumna of the Year Kristen Eddings Tetteh ’06; Alumnus of the Year Rick Reynolds ’75; Kim Gilnett ’74, accepting the Distinguished Service Award given posthumously to Jennifer Johnson Gilnett ’81; and Medallion Award winner Jeanette DeBlois Fiess ’02.