Homecoming
October 1, 2026
Kicking off homecoming in style
Goshen College hosted its annual Kick-Off talent show on Friday to start homecoming week. Students brought lots of energy and enthusiasm to each act and were dressed in masquerade-themed outfits and masks. This year’s event was hosted by Teo Kingsley, a senior theater major, and Maille Goodwill, a junior sign language interpreting major. While the acts were onstage, students jumped, clapped and waved their phone flashlights. There were even a few attempts to body surf through the crowd. The event had nine different performances this year, including singing, dancing, sign language, concertina and an improv performance from GC’s Improv Club....
October 1, 2026
Connected Causes surpasses its fundraising goal with $76.8 million
Connected Cause, Goshen College’s five-year comprehensive fundraising campaign, concluded at the end of June 2026. The campaign raised $76.8 million, surpassing its goal of $68 million. The campaign was part of GC’s “Where Everything Connects” strategic plan from 2021-2027. As a part of this plan, Connected Cause had five major aspirations: integrated academic excellence, thriving students, mission-driven employees, a growing student body and a hallmark learning environment. $27.8 million from Connected Cause has gone towards a variety of renovation projects, the most notable being the Westlawn Dining Hall and the Center for Nursing and Public Health. Other projects under the...
October 10, 2025
2025 Homecoming weekend
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...
October 9, 2025
Homecoming one-act returns to Umble
Food, community and bilingual dialogue were center stage at the Umble Center last weekend in “Las Neuvas Tamaleras,” Goshen College’s Homecoming one-act production. The play centered on three friends, Sylvia, Josie and Patsy as they struggled, and ultimately succeeded, at making tamales together. While this was happening, Doña Juanita and Doña Mercedes, a pair of spirits from days gone by, watched over them and attempted to aid in their culinary endeavors. Amy Budd, associate professor of theater and the show’s producer, described the play as being about “gossiping while you cook” and “the power of hanging out with our friends.”...
October 9, 2025
Goshen College: Mennonite or Hindu?
Sitting on the couches of the Wyse 107 lounge, with the smell of Indian food filling the air, Raj Biyani ‘92 reflected on his journey from being an international student at Goshen College to becoming a managing director at Microsoft IT and even serving as a tech advisor for the movie “Avatar.” This fall, Biyani has been back on campus for nearly a semester, reconnecting with students and faculty. During Homecoming Weekend, on Friday, Oct. 3, he was recognized at the Alumni Award convocation with the 2025 Culture for Service Award, honoring six outstanding alumni who exemplify GC core values...
October 10, 2024
Alumni return for scrimmages
On Saturday, Oct. 5, a host of past Goshen College athletes found themselves once again playing on home soil, taking part in the alumni matches that were a part of the Homecoming weekend activities. The baseball, softball and women’s basketball teams got together to take part in relaxed scrimmages against their coaches, former GC athletes and teammates. During the baseball match, Coach Brad Stoltzfus said, “Anytime you get a chance to come out on the field and actually play, it’s super fun.” While Stoltzfus enjoyed the opportunity to get out on the field and play against his team, he also...
October 10, 2024
Record reunion considers legacy and future
The Record has been under the management of students at Goshen College for 112 years. Over the course of that time, The Record has enjoyed contributions from thousands of students and many faculty members. The newspaper has also been led by faculty advisors each year. This homecoming weekend, current Record advisor Anna Groff organized an event that saw the return of 26 Record executive editors from eight decades. Each editor, as well as previous advisors, was given the chance to share a little bit about what The Record has meant to them. One of the first points brought up that...
October 3, 2024
GBCo. and GC create homecoming beer
For the first time in Goshen College’s 130 year history, alcohol will officially be served at a GC-sponsored event in which the entire campus community is invited. The event in question is Connectapalooza, GC’s homecoming celebration at the Goshen Theater. President Rebecca Stoltzfus said via email to students and employees on Sept. 25 “In designing this event, we have prioritized celebration of our local community, hospitality that is inviting to a wide variety of people, and our commitment to healthy and clear boundaries around alcohol use.” Goshen Brewing Company, founded by Jesse Sensenig ’01 and Amanda Sensenig ’03, crafted the...
October 2, 2024
Homecoming preview: What’s happening
Hundreds of Goshen College graduates are expected to return to campus for homecoming weekend at the start of October, including members of the class of 1964, celebrating their 50th anniversary, and former Record editors, who will tour the Center for Communication Studies. More than 40 events are to take place for alumni, current students and families to enjoy. Activities include alumni awards, homecoming convocation, a theater production, soccer games, food trucks, the music gala and more. “I’m looking forward to the homecoming explore day because my parents and family can come visit the campus and I like to show them...
October 12, 2023
Homecoming convocation honors alumni
Last Friday, Goshen College faculty, alumni and current students met for a convocation that welcomed alumni back to Goshen and recognized the outstanding work of a few of these alumni. Daryl Abbott ’69 and Pauline (Graybill) Kennel ’53 were announced as winners of the culture for service award. The Dr. Ruth Gunden and Dr. Roman Gingerich champions of character awardees were Melissa (Lehman) Gillette ’05 and Geof Landis ’76. The young alumni servant leadership award was presented to Jeremy Pope ’11. Champions of character awards recognize former student-athletes for positive contributions to their communities and values such as integrity, servant...
October 13, 2022
Homecoming Gala hosts students, faculty and alumni
Sauder Concert Hall was full of music of the past and present to celebrate Homecoming Weekend on Saturday. Alumni of all ages, backgrounds and identities gathered to watch students and faculty perform music with themes of love and joy at the annual Homecoming Gala. The concert opened with the Goshen College Symphony Orchestra performing the overture from the Broadway musical “West Side Story.” Brian Mast, conductor, led the orchestra in this dynamic opener. “It was better than expected,” said Francisco Behan Morillo, a first-year in orchestra, Vox Profundi and Chamber Choir. “I was just excited to be performing!” Vox Profundi...
October 13, 2022
Meet Dash: GC’s new mascot
Goshen College unveiled its first-ever official mascot — Dash the black squirrel — at the Homecoming convocation Friday. Excitement was high on campus after the announcement. Erica Albertin, athletic director and chair of the mascot committee, felt a sense of relief at having a finalized campus representation. “You wouldn’t believe how much time went into bringing Dash to life,” she said. Rustin Nyce, a member of the mascot committee and head cross country coach, agreed with the sentiment, stating that “choosing the mascot, the outfit, name and coordinating details took a little more than a year.” This lengthy process did...
October 13, 2022
Alumni recognized during Homecoming
Five alumni were presented with awards for their commitment to “Culture for Service” and the core values of the college on Friday, Oct. 7. The annual awards were initiated to honor GC graduates who have made lifelong contributions to their communities, churches, colleges, or the world. “These awards are a way for us to recognize and honor our alumni who have lived our core values through their lives and their careers,” said Dan Koop Liechty, director of alumni engagement. There are three tracks in which recipients are nominated: The Culture for Service, The Young Alumni Servant, and The Champion of...
October 13, 2022
Alumni come home, rekindle relationships
Goshen College alumni returned to campus last weekend for Homecoming, celebrating their class reunions and catching up with old friends. It was a full weekend, with over 45 possible events on the official Homecoming schedule. Dan Koop Liechty, director of alumni engagement and international student advisor, said that “planning started intensifying in March … so that we can send out a paper brochure and registration form by July 1.” The main goals of the weekend, said Koop Liechty, are to facilitate “meaningful and fun experiences” that connect alumni “to each other and the college.” He thought the goals were achieved...