LAKELAND (Feb. 20, 2013) – A record number of alumni and guests flocked to Florida Southern College for three fun-filled days of Homecoming activities Feb. 15-17.

More than 600 people attended Homecoming 2013, by far the largest number on record, said Meredith Prokuski, Coordinator of Alumni Services and Special Events at FSC. Cool weather didn’t slow down the events, which ranged from the dedication of several new sites to Greek reunions to an afternoon concert by the legendary Marshall Tucker Band.

The weekend started Friday with the dedication of the renovated Bishop Robert E. ’58 and Faye ’59 Fannin Campus Ministries Center. The former Jackson Religion Building has been expanded with new offices, a kitchen and bathrooms, and refurnished, providing a warm and inviting place for the nine student-led campus ministries at FSC.

Later that day, the Jenkins Clubhouse, home of the Mocs baseball team at historic Henley Field, was unveiled at an open house. More than 100 people showed up to tour the dazzling new facility, enjoy a barbecue dinner, and cheer on the Mocs in their win against the University of North Alabama.

An All-Alumni meeting and a shrimp boil luncheon gave alums a chance to reconnect with new developments on campus and with one another. New officers of the National Alumni Board of Directors, including incoming President Laurie Alter ’80, were introduced at the luncheon and at a Saturday evening reception for members of the Spivey Society.

On Saturday, an Inaugural Celebration of the Evett L. Simmons ’79 Center for Multicultural Appreciation was a joyous event that featured gospel hymns, poems recited in Spanish, and a blessing in Hebrew, among other presentations. Ms. Simmons, a member of the FSC Board of Trustees and an attorney recognized in Florida for her advocacy for diversity, gave a generous donation to support the Center, which offers a place for various minority groups on campus to gather and encourages awareness of diversity at FSC.

Another highlight of the weekend was the dedication of the new Honor Walk, which recognizes FSC’s top honor students from every year dating back to 1887. The engraved stones with the students’ names now line the walkway around the beautiful Mr. George’s Green at the heart of the campus. About 15 Honor Walk recipients or their family members were present for the ceremony.

“The names on this Walk represent the very best of Florida Southern,” said Dr. Robert H. Tate, vice president for External Relations. “They demonstrate the importance of excellence in our endeavors, and a desire to rise to the top.”

Mr. George’s Green was also the site of a Saturday afternoon concert by the classic Southern rockers, the Marshall Tucker Band. Several hundred fans lounged on the green to listen as the band played their hits, including “Can’t You See,” “Take the Highway,” and “Heard It in a Love Song.” Band members good-naturedly pulled a couple of the alums up on stage to sing along.

See all Homecoming 2013 photos on FSC.Mocs photostream »