We are thrilled to welcome alumni and friends back to campus for Graceland’s 2024 Homecoming festivities. Join fellow alumni and friends in Lamoni for a weekend of food, fellowship and fun.
| TIME | EVENT | LOCATION |
|---|---|---|
| 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. | GU4U Networking Event Students and Alumni! Join the GU4U committee in The Corner to enjoy some sweet treats and to help build those vital networking connections. GU4U is an outreach of the Graceland University alumni board that seeks to link current students with alumni across the world. |
Newcom Student Union, The Corner |
| TIME | EVENT | LOCATION |
|---|---|---|
| ALL DAY | Art Exhibition: (featuring Kari Cardiel Oct. 4 – Nov. 22) A native of the beautiful Mexican city of Morelia, Kari attended Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa on both academic and varsity tennis scholarships. In 2017, Kari graduated from Graceland as an Honors student with two bachelor’s degrees in Visual Communications and Social Media Marketing. As graphic designer and technology manager for Gurrimatute in Miami, FL, Kari is responsible for curating all social media content, managing the firm’s website, and assisting in the preparation of requests for proposals.Kari’s show will explore Miami, a city that she notes has some type of magic that constantly inspires her. She has been exploring UX/UI design and is excited to share her work with the Graceland Community. |
Helene Center, Constance Art Gallery |
| 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Alumni Board Meeting | Newcom Student Union, CETL |
| 11:30 a.m. | Alumni and Friends Golf Tournament $40 Registration Fee to be paid with cash or a check. |
Lamoni Municipal Golf Course |
| 3 – 6 p.m. | Softball Home Run Derby | North Park |
| 3:30 p.m. | Baseball Intrasquad Scrimmage | North Park |
| 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. | Alumni Awards Banquet Every Homecoming, Graceland honors distinguished alumni and friends at the annual alumni awards banquet, recognizing the Graceland Award of Recognition, the Honorary Alumni Award, and the Distinguished Service Award, along with Wall of Fame and Hall of Fame inductees. |
Shaw Lobby |
| 9 p.m. | Air Band | Morden Center |
| TIME | EVENT | LOCATION |
|---|---|---|
| ALL DAY | Art Exhibition: (featuring Kari Cardiel Oct. 4 – Nov. 22) A native of the beautiful Mexican city of Morelia, Kari attended Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa on both academic and varsity tennis scholarships. In 2017, Kari graduated from Graceland as an Honors student with two bachelor’s degrees in Visual Communications and Social Media Marketing. As graphic designer and technology manager for Gurrimatute in Miami, FL, Kari is responsible for curating all social media content, managing the firm’s website, and assisting in the preparation of requests for proposals.Kari’s show will explore Miami, a city that she notes has some type of magic that constantly inspires her. She has been exploring UX/UI design and is excited to share her work with the Graceland Community. |
Helene Center, Constance Art Gallery |
| 8:30 – 10 a.m. | Women’s Intrasquad Volleyball | Morden Center |
| 9:30-10:30 a.m. | Resch Open House Student demonstrations along with robotics, gaming and more. Former CS, CE, CIS, IT, CSIT, Biology and Chemistry majors are encouraged to stop by. |
Resch Science and Technology Hall, Room #130 |
| 9:30-10:30 a.m. | 50 Years of CSIT Celebration | Resch Science and Technology Hall, Room #130 |
| 9:30 a.m. | Agape Pastry Reception | Gunsolley Hall, Dan B. Kelley Lounge |
| 9:30 a.m.-11 a.m. | Crescent Gathering | Shaw Center, Green Room |
| 10-11:00 a.m. | Open Forum with New Graceland President Joel Shrock with Alumni Endowed Scholarship Presentation to Follow | Shaw Center, Carol Hall |
| 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | International Club Silent Auction | Campus Quad (In case of rain, location will be moved to Newcom Student Union, Great Room.) |
| 10 a.m. | Women’s Volleyball Alumni Scrimmage | Morden Center |
| 10 a.m. | Men’s and Women’s Soccer Alumni Scrimmage | Training Pitch |
| 10 a.m. | Future Yellowjacket Event with Admissions | Shaw, Shaw Lobby |
| 10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Brunch in the Commons The Commons and Swarm are both cashless. |
Commons |
| 11 a.m. | Fun on the Quad Join us for exciting activities, games, and more on the quad! Interact with students, make bracelets, and enjoy the beautiful campus. Perfect for people of all ages.Schedule |
Campus Quad |
| 11 a.m.- 8 p.m. |
Food Trucks (Accepting cash and credit/debit card payments) Food trucks will be parked in the Zimmerman parking lot and music will be playing throughout the campus. Gather with your friends for food and fun! |
Campus Quad, Zimmermann Parking lot |
| 11:00 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Men’s Volleyball Alumni Scrimmage | Morden Center |
| 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. | 60-year Honor Class Lunch Connect with friends, skim through yearbooks, and enjoy some dessert and delicious lunch! A Graceland photographer will also stop by to take your honor class photo so be sure to attend! |
Administration Building, Heritage Chapel |
| 12 – 12:50 p.m. | Men’s Basketball Alumni Scrimmage | Morden Center |
| 12:50 p.m. | Women’s Basketball Alumni Scrimmage | Morden Center |
| 1:35 p.m. | Freeman Awards Presentation Tom ’55 and Terry Moore ’56 Freeman present medals to the top scholar-athletes in each sport. |
Huntsman Field (In case of rain, location will be moved to Morden Center.) |
| 2 p.m. | Ergo and Friends | Shaw Center, Carol Hall |
| 2 p.m. |
Homecoming Football Game vs. Peru State Half-time: Hall of Fame Inductions. Online tickets with a valid ID are required for entrance.Purchase Tickets Here! |
Huntsman Field |
| 4 p.m. | 50-Year Honor Class Reception Gather together before your honor class dinner to catch up and reminisce! |
Shaw, Shaw Lobby |
| 5 p.m. | 50-year Honor Class Dinner Join us for an enchanting evening of nostalgia and reconnection as we celebrate 50 years since we first walked these halls. Register for this event using the form at the top of this page. |
Shaw, Shaw Lobby |
| 5:30 p.m. |
Men’s Soccer vs. Benedictine Purchase Tickets Here! |
The “Razz” Soccer Facility |
| 7:30 p.m. |
Women’s Soccer vs. Benedictine Purchase Tickets Here! |
The “Razz” Soccer Facility |
| 6:30 p.m. | 10 and 20 Year Honor Class Desserts Connect with friends, skim through yearbooks, and enjoy some delicious dessert. A Graceland photographer will also stop by to take your honor class photo so be sure to attend! This room is also reserved all weekend for you and your former classmates to catch up and enjoy each other’s company! |
Shaw Center, JR Theatre |
| 6:30 p.m. | 30 Year Honor Class Dessert Connect with friends, skim through yearbooks, and enjoy some delicious dessert. A Graceland photographer will also stop by to take your honor class photo so be sure to attend! This room is also reserved all weekend for you and your former classmates to catch up and enjoy each other’s company! |
Helene Center for the Visual Arts, E 101 |
| 6:30 p.m. | 40 Year Honor Class Dessert Connect with friends, skim through yearbooks, and enjoy some delicious dessert. A Graceland photographer will also stop by to take your honor class photo so be sure to attend! This room is also reserved all weekend for you and your former classmates to catch up and enjoy each other’s company! |
Resch Science & Technology Hall, 106 |
| 7:00 p.m. | Softball Alumni Scrimmage | North Park |
| 7:30 p.m. | LEGACY: A Celebration of the Performing Arts Join Graceland’s Music and Theatre programs in a night celebrating the past, present, and future of the Performing Arts with performances from our talented alumni, students, and music ensembles. |
Shaw Center, Shaw Family Auditorium |
| 9 – 11 p.m. | Roller Skating in the Newcom Great Room Join us for a cherished Graceland tradition—roller skating on the iconic hardwood floors of the Newcom Great Room! Whether you’re reliving memories or experiencing it for the first time, it’s a fun and nostalgic way to connect with the Graceland community. A liability waiver must be signed before skating.There are only adult roller skate shoe sizes available. Children must bring their own roller skates. |
Newcom Student Union, Great Room |
| TIME | EVENT | LOCATION |
|---|---|---|
| 8:30 a.m. | Communion Service | Cheville Chapel |
| 10:30 a.m. | Homecoming Worship Service | Shaw Center, Shaw Family Auditorium |
| 11:30 a.m. | The President’s Brunch This “invitation only” event salutes Presidential Society members and Heritage Club inductees. |
Newcom Student Union, Great Room |
1964 | 1974 | 1984 | 1994 | 2004 | 2014
In addition to a special desserts for these honor classes, we will have activities, events and meals planned for all alumni regardless of class year.
Every Homecoming, Graceland honors distinguished alumni and friends at its annual alumni awards banquet. It recognizes three awards: the Graceland Award of Recognition, the Honorary Alumni Award, and the Distinguished Service Award and new this year, we are happy to recognize our Wall of Fame and Hall of Fame inductees.
Each year, Graceland inducts distinguished alumni into its athletic program’s hall of fame and wall of fame. Since they were established, Graceland has honored those alumni each Homecoming with a presentation at halftime of the Homecoming football game. This year, we are also honoring these alumni at the Friday night Alumni and Friends Awards Banquet to be held in the Shaw Center Lobby.
The Hall of Fame recognizes exceptional individuals for their athletic accomplishments during their tenure at Graceland, while the Wall of Fame commemorates teams for their athletic achievements while at Graceland.
Looking for a place to stay near Lamoni? We’ve got you covered.
| BUSINESS | DISTANCE | PHONE | WEBSITE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cobblestone Inn & Suites
Lamoni, IA | 2.4 miles | 641.784.4000 | Website |
| Rodeway Inn Lamoni, IA | 2.1 miles | 319.315.0080 | Website |
| Eagles Landing Eagleville, MO | 14 miles | 660.867.5228 | |
| Little River Inn Motel Leon, IA | 16.1 miles | 641.446.4884 | Website |
| Lesanville Inn at Ramsey Farms Mt. Ayr, IA | 17.8 miles | 641.414.8550 | |
| Charlie-Jane's B&B Mt. Ayr, IA | 22.8 miles | 641.464.2564 | |
| Mount Ayr Inn Mt. Ayr, IA | 21.5 miles | 641.464.3500 | Website |
| Armstrong Guest house Mt. Ayr, IA | 24 miles | 641.344.5553 | Website |
| Quality Inn & Suites Bethany, MO | 25.8 miles | 660.425.8006 | Website |
| Family Budget Motel Bethany, MO | 25.8 miles | 660.425.7915 | Website |
| Super 8 Bethany, MO | 25.9 miles | 660.240.0597 | Website |
| AmericInn of Osceola Osceola, IA | 32.5 miles | 641.342.9400 | Website |
| Quality Inn Osceola, IA | 32.2 miles | 641.342.6666 | Website |
| Super 8 Osceola, IA | 32.2 miles | 641.638.6475 | Website |
| Evergreen Inn Osceola, IA | 33.2 miles | 641.342.3162 | Website |
| Blue Haven Motel Osceola, IA | 33.4 miles | 641.342.2115 | |
| Lakeside Hotel & Casino Osceola, IA | 34 miles | 641.342.9511 | Website |
| Hotel Rea Corydon, IA | 39.3 miles | 641.895.6074 | Website |
| Nodyroc Motel Corydon, IA | 39.4 miles | 641.872.2533 | Website |
| Inn of the Six-Toed Cat Allerton, IA | 40.2 miles | 641.873.4900 | Website |
| NL Holdings Hidden Acres Cabins Bethany, MO | 27 miles | 660.373.9927 | Website |
| The Villas Bethany, MO | 27 miles | 660.373.9927 | Website |
The Lamoni area has a few Airbnb options, though Graceland cannot verify their quality. Search for locations here.
Graceland has several RV camping spots on campus, located in the parking lot southwest of Resch Science and Technology Hall. No reservations are accepted – all camping spots are on a first-come, first-served basis.
Suggested rate: $15 per camper, per night. Please deposit RV fees in the drop box located at the northwest corner of the west events parking lot.
There are three campgrounds with 68 campsites (28 with electrical hookups), modern showers, restrooms and a trailer dump station just 12 miles from Graceland at Iowa’s Nine Eagles State Park. Find out more information and make reservations.
