Tabor College

Centennial Homecoming Marks 100th Anniversary of Tabor College

October 06, 2008

Categories: General News

Tabor College alums from across the nation returned to their Alma Mater this past weekend for the historic Centennial Homecoming Celebration, marking the 100th Anniversary of the college.

“It was a grand event!” said Jeremy Jordan, Director of Alumni and Related Programs, who worked for more than a year with the Centennial Committee to create a Centennial Homecoming Celebration worthy of its place in history.

The four-day homecoming celebration began on a high note, as the school released Fall ’08 enrollment numbers showing 612 students, the largest in the 100-year history of the college. The new freshman class, with 141 students, is the largest since 1988.

The highlight of the weekend was Saturday’s dedication of a new focal point on campus, the Centennial Plaza, containing a dramatic sculpture, entitled, “Called to Serve.”

“The Centennial Plaza is in a perfect location, where everyone can see and experience the mission of Tabor College,” said President Jules Glanzer. “The ‘Called to Serve’ sculpture is inspiring, contemplative, moving, and one cannot help but be touched by its message.”

Former Tabor presidents Vernon Janzen, Dr. LeVon Balzer, Dr. H. David Brandt, and Larry Nikkel attended the dedication ceremony, along with representatives of the college’s additional presidents, all of whom are named on plaques in the plaza.

“For the past 100 years, God has led Tabor College through the hands of the presidents listed on the plaza,” Glanzer said. “They have shepherded Tabor with integrity of heart and with skillful hands.”

The former presidents and representatives were joined at the ceremony by a crowd of alumni and friends. They gathered on the campus lawn, which had been transformed into a garden of engraved pavestones and flowers. At its center stands the new sculpture created by Sandra Storm, a world-renown artist and Tabor alumnus.

“For many years to come, this plaza will convey to both the campus community and to visitors that Tabor College is place where service to God and to others is nurtured and cherished,” said Board Chairman Lyndon Vix, who emceed the event.

The Centennial Plaza was conceived by Larry Nikkel, who began the project before his retirement as president last year. He led the project to completion as the first President Emeritus in the history of the college.

In his remarks, Nikkel said, “The story of Tabor is a story of God’s faithfulness to a faithful people. It is entirely appropriate for Tabor to mark this milestone with the dedication of a plaza upon which the core values of Tabor College are presented with such clarity and power.

“I would suggest that, not only has Sandra Storm captured this spirit of service in her sculptures, she has also given us the visual symbols of the Gospel itself.”

Before participating in the dedication ceremony, the living former presidents participated in a President’s Forum entitled, “Celebrating Tabor’s Centennial: The Past 25 Years,” which Glanzer moderated.

“Hosting the President’s Forum was especially meaningful,” he said. “Their wisdom, insights, and capacity to communicate and lead were so evident. Just being with them inspired me. I am standing on the shoulders of many great men who have led Tabor. Their commitment, sacrifice, and service have been extraordinary.”

Other homecoming celebration highlights included:

In addition to receiving a new sculpture to mark its centennial, the college also received a Centennial Poem, entitled “Seed for the World,” written by Mennonite author and poet Jean Janzen, of Fresno, Calif., and a Centennial Quilt, created by Karen Hauff, of Shoreview, Minn. Hauff, a 1966 graduate, is a member of the college’s board of directors.

At Friday’s Centennial Homecoming Dinner, Andrew Owen, a 1994 graduate serving as a missionary in Thailand with Mennonite Brethren Mission Service International, received the Alumni Medallion Award. Jonah Kliewer, a 1955 graduate and Emeritus Professor of Voice and Choral Music, received the Alumni Merit Award. Kliewer died July 12 after a battle with pancreatic cancer, at 75.

On campus, a collection of unique fiber creations by renowned artist Shin-Hee Chin, Assistant Professor of Art and Design, were displayed at the Historic Church. About 20 of Chin’s newly-created works comprised her show entitled, “Human Family.”

Kyle Basinger, (senior, Pretty Prairie, Kan.), and Cassondra Huxman (senior, Moundridge, Kan.) were crowned Tabor Homecoming Host and Hostess before the football showdown between the Bluejays and Friends University, which the Falcons won.

On the athletic fields, Tabor’s men’s and women’s soccer teams were victorious over University of St. Mary on Saturday. Kyle Basinger, (senior, Pretty Prairie, Kan.), and Cassondra Huxman (senior, Moundridge, Kan.) were crowned Tabor Homecoming Host and Hostess before the football showdown between the Bluejays and Friends University, which the Falcons won.

On stage, five performances of the campus production of “Fiddler on the Roof,” played to sellout crowds Wednesday through Sunday. Tabor Board Chairman Lyndon Vix, an attorney from Maize, Kan., played Tevye, leading over 50 performers on stage.

“The Fiddler cast and crew worked from sunrise to much later than sunset every day in order to be ready for five performances of Fiddler,” said Judy Harder, Associate Professor of Communications and Drama, who is directing the musical. “We were richly blessed by the enthusiastic response of all five audiences.”

What made the Centennial Homecoming Celebration unforgettable, Glanzer said, was the bringing together of hundreds of former students, faculty and friends who all have shared in what is called, “The Tabor Experience.”

“So many people worked so hard to make our Centennial Homecoming a huge success,” Glanzer said. “The grounds looked splendid. The events were great. It truly was a weekend to remember.”

See Hundreds of Centennial Homecoming Celebration Photos!