Major flooding from a slow-moving rain storm on Friday, September 29^th forced HM to make the very difficult decision to cancel the next day’s Homecoming festivities. The traditional Friday afternoon pep rally was initially moved to Gross Theater but was then canceled when the school imposed an early dismissal of 2:00 pm.

The torrential rains wreaked havoc on HM’s campuses, flooding several buildings and damaging the main field. The devastation required the full attention of HM’s maintenance personnel and several outside contractors on Saturday and Sunday in order to ensure that school could reopen on Monday. Although preventative measures were put in place in advance of the storm, the strategically placed water pumps in Prettyman Hall were unable to redirect the overwhelming amount and rate of rainfall.

 

While extremely disappointed, students generally were understanding of the extremity of the situation. The editors of The Record expressed they understood “that the campus flooding left the administration with no other option but to cancel Homecoming.”

 

Due to a crowded first semester calendar, there was no possibility of rescheduling Homecoming for the fall so plans were made instead to host a series of “Mane Events” for the fall athletic teams. These special celebrations offered fans (the “Roar Corps”) of all ages a selection of food and spirit gear, as well as a senior recognition ceremony 20 minutes prior to each game. We are excited to reschedule this year’s Homecoming for the spring of 2024 – stay tuned for details!

 

The Reunions celebration – which this year were held at Apella in Manhattan – went on as planned for classes of 1958, 1963, 1968, 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998, 2003, 2008, 2013, and 2018. The evening was a resounding success for all who attended.

 

Reunion photos can be viewed here: