Last weekend, 450 alumni returned to Goshen College’s campus for class reunions, which were held for every five years of graduating classes from 1960 to 2020. As for the many other Homecoming events that ran from Friday through Sunday, the college saw over 700 guests in total, according to the alumni office.   

Dan Koop Liechty ’88, director of alumni engagement and international student advisor, was one of two key planners for Homecoming weekend, along with Jan Marie Ramer, administrative assistant to the vice president for advancement and development office. Dan Koop Liechty said that planning officially begins in March/April, and is 90% complete by July, when registration opens.

Part of the pull in this year’s increased numbers is the 75th anniversary of GC’s nursing program. A part of the celebration was a tour of Westlawn and It’s new nursing facilities. “I know students are really excited to get back there,” Dan Koop Liechty said. 

Lorie Hershberger ’80, who graduated from GC with a nursing degree, attended the event. She said that the nursing program was “wonderful” and that she loves being back on campus, adding, “It makes my heart so happy.”

A special convocation on Friday featured the presentation of the 2025 alumni awards. The Culture for Service Award recipients were Raj Biyani ‘92 and Gerald Schlabach ‘79. The Young Alumni Servant Leadership Award was given to both Kate Friesen ‘14 and Scott Kempf ‘11. Finally, the Champions of Character awardees were Tony Janzen ‘08 and Mary Hartzler ‘70. 

President Rebecca Stoltzfus gave a state-of-the-college talk on Saturday. She outlining the Connected Cause campaign as well as the recent renovations of the Good library, Rec-Fitness Center and tennis courts. Paul Hershberger ‘81 said, “We love to hear Rebecca speak, and her vision for the college. I think we’re in very capable hands.” He added that the second thing he took away was “the very real way that the college is being impacted by the current administration’s edicts, if you would.”

One highlight Dan Koop Liechty had from the weekend was the Class of 2020 graduation. Since the class of 2020 missed their formal commencement, Brandy Lowe ’20 and Diana Boussom ’20, assistant professor of American Sign Language, has been in talks about this ceremony with Dan Koop Liechty for half a year. 

Dan Koop Liechty said, “They were so excited to be back and so excited to see each other … and it was a lot of fun.” The ceremony included speeches from Jason Samuel ’92, director of WGCS FM and Globe media, and Colleen Geier, professor of ASL.

Jill Koop Liechty, manager for annual giving, was in charge of hosting GC Thrift for the third year. Run also by Advancement student workers, all money raised though GC Thrift goes to the GC Fund. Jill Koop Liechty explained what she tells current GC students: “The GC fund is so important – 100% of you benefit from the GC fund,” she said. “You’re standing on the shoulders of people who came before you because there are people out in the world who are giving – who don’t even know you, but they believe in GC and the mission of GC.”

“I love the fact that there’s a thrift store with old Goshen College stuff,” said Nancy Chupp ‘87. “I love that Mennonites are standing in line waiting to get into the thrift store part of that. It feels very much like Mennonite activity.” 

Jill Koop Liechty said, “One of my favorite memories is my students working and singing and dancing along to the music that was playing – just being friendly and chatting with people and alumni being really interested in them and who they are and where they’re from.” 

Dan Koop Liechty offered thanks to all the people who were able to help. He said, “Homecoming is all about people on campus being willing to chip in, because you can’t do it without, and I can’t be everywhere, and there’s just so many people helping with so many things.” He specifically thanked the events staff, as well as AVI Fresh, which “probably did 10 separate events where they were delivering food to all over campus.”

Dale Landes ‘65 said, “Every time I come back here I say, ‘Boy, this is a college I would have liked to have attended.’”