Alumni, students, staff and friends came together to celebrate Walsh University’s Homecoming with a week of festivities on campus that showcased the Walsh Cavalier spirit, honored historical milestones and promoted a shared sense of community among all participants. This year’s Homecoming included the 50th Reunion of the Class of 1969, 25th Anniversary of the Cavalier Football Program, Outstanding Alumni Dinner and the Freedom Walk to bring awareness to the issue of human trafficking in partnership with the Not for Sale organization.
25th Anniversary of Cavalier Football Program: Hosted by the Positive Mental Attitude “PMA” Club, former and current football players and coaches came together to honor the 25Anniversary of the Walsh Cavalier football program. Former Head Coach Jim Dennison was honored at a special banquet Saturday night. Until his retirement in 2012, Coach Dennison had been Walsh’s only head coach in the history of the football program that began in 1995. Dennison was named Director of Athletics at Walsh in June of 1993. The university announced on February 11, 1994, that it would institute football as a varsity sport in the fall of 1995 and named Dennison as head coach. Dennison stepped down from his role as athletic director in 2007 to devote all of his time to football.
In addition to Coach Dennison, the University also honored several historically significant teams including members of the 1995 First Team, 2001 League Champions, 2006 Playoff Team, and the 2012 NCAA Division II Team.
The Outstanding Alumni Dinner honored Walsh alumni and friends on Friday, October 18. This year’s honorees included Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient John Latchic `69; Outstanding Achievement Award Recipients Bob Dasco `67 and Ed Robinson `77; Professional Achievement Award Recipient Lisa Broucker `00; and Young Alumni Leadership Award Recipient Luke Vincer`07.
Freedom Walk: Service has always been an important component of the Walsh experience. On Saturday, October 14, Walsh hosted the silent, single-file Freedom Walk on its campus with Walsh alumni, students, faculty and staff volunteering to help bring awareness to the issue of human trafficking. Held in partnership with the nonprofit organization Not for Sale: One Step at a Time, the fourth annual Freedom Walk is a global initiative with walks held in thousands of cities across the globe.
Campus Bonfire and Cavalier Spirit: Homecoming excitement was fueled by a wide-range of campus activities that combined fun, creativity and Cavalier spirit. Homecoming Week officially kicked off on Tuesday night with the Walsh marching band leading students to Hoover Park for a campus bonfire. The week include a Block Party/Cookout and food trucks as well as the Cavs Cab golf court, which tested students' knowledge of the University in exchange for prizes and a ride to their next destination. Saturday included the Homecoming Tailgate and Post Game Palooza before the student dance in the Marlene and Joe Toot Global Learning Center. This year’s full program of events was sponsored by the President’s Office, Alumni/Advancement Office, the University Programming Board and many others representing almost every facet of campus life.
