Students, employees, alumni, families, and friends joined together to celebrate Elizabethtown College’s historic 125th Anniversary by taking full advantage of a fantastic lineup of fun Charter Week events, which included the 2024 Homecoming and Family Weekend from Sept. 23 to 29. 


Highlights from the weekend included:

Charter Day Celebration 

The commemorative week was highlighted by Wednesday’s Charter Day Celebration on the Academic Quad. Students and employees enjoyed free food, live music, giveaways, yard games, and an inflatable obstacle course. View a video recap.

President Rider kicked off the festivities by offering a Charter Day Address. Approved by the Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas on Sept. 23, 1899, the official charter defined the College’s purpose, as “the harmonious development of the physical, mental, and moral powers of our students to best fit them in the duties of life,” which President Rider shared with the crowd as the line continues to resonate today.

“In other words, we’re here to equip our graduates to be successful when they go out into the world where they will become a force for good,” Rider explained during her address.  

The campus community had the opportunity to see the original, handwritten charter up close as it was displayed in the High Library throughout Charter Week. 

29th Annual Homecoming Parade

Celebrating its 29th consecutive year as a time-honored and beloved tradition, the Homecoming Parade officially kicked off the weekend’s festivities with floats constructed by current students and staff members, live music, alumni celebrating class reunions, local volunteer fire companies, and businesses.

Alumni Quintin George ’19 and Shaye Dipasquale ’19 served as the parade announcers while the live broadcast was produced by ECTV-40 and hosted by Kelly Moore ’16 and Olivia (Fryberger) Holmes ’17.

Best representing this year’s theme of “This is Etown,” where floats were tasked with celebrating a favorite aspect or tradition of the College, was the Class of 2025 with their float, “Blue Jays in the Jay’s Nest.” Associate Professor of Marketing Bryan Greenburg, Associate Professor of Computer Science Tom Leap, Staff Counselor Kayshen Morel, and Assistant Director of the Learning Zone Gene Thomas served as this year’s float judges.

Etown’s Homecoming Court featured senior class winners Aaron Oliver ’25 and Madison “Rocky” Stewart ’25. Also appearing on the Court were fellow representatives from the senior class: Olivia Bennett ’25, Kat Pasko ’25, Sam Langer ’25, and Emma Sager ’25. Juniors included Laney Humble ’26 and Blake Stolarik ’26, while the sophomore class was represented by Ryder Paulus ’27 and James Witmer ’2, and the first-year class featured Sahan Matthew Shinoj ’28 and Teagan Zumbano ’28. View photos.

FEST

One of Etown’s greatest and most beloved Homecoming Day traditions was newly updated for the 125th anniversary of the College! The celebration featured an updated menu of famously delicious food and drink, memorable alumni class reunions celebrating class years ending in “4” and “9,” and legendary live music on Brinser Field. View photos.

Homecoming Fair & Concert ft. the Dutchers Band

Etown students and local artisans sold food, t-shirts, arts, knick-knacks, collectibles, and crafts in the Academic Quad on Saturday afternoon while attendees enjoyed New Orleans-style jazz music by the Dutchers band, featuring Bruce Campbell ’76 P’08 and Adjunct Professor Faith Shiffer. View photos.

Fall Choral Showcase

On Saturday afternoon, Etown’s talented Concert Choir, Fenice, the College Community Chorus, and the Alumni Choir ensembles performed at the annual Fall Choral Showcase Homecoming Concert in Leffler Chapel and Performance Center. View photos.

13th Annual Homecoming M.V.P. Spectacular

Etown’s student a capella groups Melica, Vocalign, and Phalanx (MVP) harmonized and delighted attendees of the 13th annual Homecoming M.V.P. Spectacular show in Leffler Chapel and Performance Center. The event also featured alumni announcers and the conferral of the 2024 Distinguished Graduate of the Last Decade (GOLD) Award to alumnus Agnetha “Aggie” Serrame-Bennett ’14. View photos.

Athletics Competitions

The Swimming, Men’s Soccer, and Men’s Lacrosse programs each welcomed alumni back to campus for alumni meets and games. Field Hockey served as the only varsity athletics team to compete at home on Homecoming Saturday, battling Scranton University in a back-and-forth contest on Wold Field. Read more at etownbluejays.com.