Homecoming draws thousands to campus

Clear skies and 70-degree weather welcomed alumni and friends who visited campus Oct. 18 to celebrate Elon’s 2014 Homecoming.

For more than two hours prior to the Phoenix taking on Stony Brook, fans gathered for food, music and camaraderie on Bank of America Drive, with many additional tents set along the shores of Lake Mary Nell.

“It’s pretty cool to be able to come back and be a part of it in a different way, and still feel valued and appreciated,” My Nyugen ’11 said. “I love this place and I’m so glad to be back.”

>> View a Homecoming 2014 Photo Gallery

>> See more photos on the Elon University Facebook page

>> See our social media page for the best posts of the weekend

The football game included the annual announcement of Homecoming royalty. Homecoming King was Matthew Lanahan, representing Sigma Kappa, and Homecoming Queen was Ashtin Gill, representing Alpha Omicron Pi.

This year’s alumni award winners were also honored at halftime. They included:

• Louis M. “Mike” Riccio Jr. ’85 P’18, chief financial officer, La-Z-Boy Incorporated, Alumnus of the Year
• Gail Hettel LaRose ’64, former educator and lifelong Elon supporter, Alumna of the Year
• David L. Morrow II ’07 L’10, Legal Counsel, PayPal, Young Alumnus of the Year
• Kim Spurgeon Hayes ’05, film office analyst, Nevada Film Office, Young Alumna of the Year
• The Rev. Erin M. Keys ’05, acting head of staff, First Presbyterian Church of Greenwich, Conn., Service to Church & Society
• T.J. Reynolds-Emwanta ’01, Supplemental Security Income/Social Security Disability Insurance outreach, access and recovery specialist, CenterPoint Human Services, Alumni Service Award
• Tim Johnson ’09, director and editor, and Max Cantor ’10, independent filmmaker and writer, Distinguished Service to Elon Award

The day’s activities wrapped up with a free concert featuring Grammy Award winner Ludacris sponsored by the Student Government Association, Student Union Board and Office of Alumni Engagement.