Homecoming 2024:
Strongly Rooted & Still Growing

This year’s theme, Strongly Rooted & Still Growing, celebrated Graceland’s deep history while embracing the exciting changes shaping its future, creating a beautiful bridge between alumni and current students.

Friday evening set the tone with a celebration honoring Graceland’s outstanding awardees. Alumni gathered to reflect on the generations of hard work and generosity that have made Graceland so special. The night continued with the much-loved Air Band competition, where house pairings brought movies like Shrek and The Lion King to life through vibrant costumes, music, and choreography. The Morden Center echoed with cheers and hugs as alumni and students shared in the joy of this spirited tradition.

Saturday welcomed a new event, “Fun on the Quad,” where students hosted activities like face painting, bracelet-making, and games for alumni and their families. Laughter filled the air as alumni reconnected with friends and shared stories of their time at Graceland. Food trucks, Spikeball games, and the football game brought everyone together, while honor classes gathered in the evening to reminisce over desserts and yearbooks, swapping stories that felt like they had just happened yesterday.

As the sun set on a day filled with joy and connection, the campus came alive once more for Saturday night’s LEGACY: A Celebration of the Performing Arts, a heartfelt tribute to Graceland’s rich creative traditions. The event brought together Graceland’s Music and Theatre programs for an unforgettable evening honoring the past, present, and future of the performing arts. Alumni, students, and music ensembles shared the stage, filling the room with talent, passion, and nostalgia. From moving solos to vibrant group performances, the show was a testament to Graceland’s rich artistic heritage and its bright future. It was a celebration of creativity, fellowship, and the enduring spirit of the arts at Graceland.

One of the weekend’s most nostalgic moments was the return of a tradition dating back to 1941: roller skating. In the Newcom Student Union Great Room, alumni and students donned skates to relive a cherished part of Graceland’s past. Watching former Alumni Board President Holly Phillips ’81 Caskey glide effortlessly around the room, her hair blowing in the breeze and a smile lighting up her face, was like watching time fold in on itself. In that moment, Holly was both a student and an alumna, reminding us all of the timeless essence of Graceland.

The weekend ended with the Sunday Worship Service in Shaw Center’s Family Auditorium. Presiding Bishop Ron Harmon ’86 of Community of Christ offered a heartfelt blessing, filling the room with gratitude and love. As alumni departed, the warmth and connection they experienced lingered, a reminder of the deep bonds that make Graceland “home.”

Homecoming 2024 was a celebration of where we’ve been and where we’re going, leaving everyone inspired and grateful to be part of such a remarkable community.

  SAVE THE DATE  Mark your calendars and join us next time!

October 3-5, 2025

 (View all Homecoming photo albums here)

Alumni Awards 2024

Distinguished Service Award

Carmen Fisher ’22 has built a remarkable career dedicated to humanitarian service, as a United States Public Health Officer and FDA Federal Agent. She has led critical efforts in global public health crises — serving as a frontline nurse during the Joplin, Mo. tornado, responding to major hurricanes, and commanding teams during the West African Ebola outbreak. During COVID-19, she played a key role in launching global testing sites. Beyond disaster response, Carmen oversees investigations at clinical trial sites and tobacco regulations. Graceland proudly honored her with this award for her transformational service and leadership.

Graceland Award of Recognition

Team Hampton

Jerry ’52 & Helen Russell ’52 Hampton and Team Hampton represent dedication, service, and an enduring love for Graceland. For over 60 years, Jerry ’52 and Helen Russell ’52 Hampton have profoundly impacted the university and its community. Jerry devoted 50 years as a coach and professor, shaping generations of students with his education-first approach and leading

legendary, championship-winning teams. Helen, a passionate educator, taught aquatics and synchronized swimming while also managing the popular Lamoni gift shop, Country Plus. Together, they built a legacy beyond campus by establishing the Pizza Shack as a cherished local gathering place.

Their family, affectionately known as “Team Hampton,” continues their tradition of service through involvement with Graceland’s boards and staff. In recognition of their remarkable contributions and unwavering commitment, Graceland proudly honored Team Hampton with the Graceland Award of Recognition, celebrating a legacy of resilience, love, and impact that will inspire generations to come.

Honorary Alumni Award

Pat Hoffman received this award in recognition of her remarkable service and unwavering dedication to Graceland. Over her career, Pat has impacted generations of students, guiding countless individuals to graduation through her exceptional advising. Many alumni fondly credit her with helping them succeed when success felt out of reach. Beyond academics, Pat enriched campus life by advising Intramurals, fostering friendships through recreation, and shaping student leaders with training in teamwork and productivity. Her commitment to students, especially transfer students, and her support for athletics have left a lasting legacy at Graceland.

Yellowjackets Hall of Fame

Emmalee McCoy ’03 Forth’s journey as a Yellowjacket is woven with athletic prowess, academic excellence, and an enduring passion for volleyball. A four-year varsity player and three-year starter, Emmalee’s dominance on the court was undeniable, earning numerous Heart conference and NAIA honors. In her senior year, Emmalee was named the Heart WVB Player of the Year, an NAIA All-America Second Team selection, and an NAIA Academic All-American. She guided her team as a captain to a 5th-place finish at the National Tournament. After graduation, Emmalee served as an assistant coach for Graceland’s men’s and women’s varsity teams and coached freshman and JV teams at Marion High School. In 2007, she married Andrew Forth, and together they are raising twin daughters, Carsen and Emersen, and son, Guss.

Athletics Distinguished Service Award

Stuart Johnson has been the “Voice of Yellowjacket Athletics” for over 36 years, beginning with his first Graceland football broadcast in 1988. Inducted into the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2024, he has called more than 3,500 sporting events across the Midwest, including over 350 Graceland football games. A career highlight was narrating the Yellowjackets’ historic 2018 NAIA Men’s Basketball National Championship run. A native of Dover, Kansas, and a Rockhurst University graduate, Johnson has covered men’s and women’s basketball, soccer, volleyball, and wrestling with unparalleled dedication.