Jacksonville – “A Haunted Homecoming” will be this year’s theme at MacMurray College’s annual homecoming festivities, Oct. 27 – 30.

     A “ghost walk,” soccer, football, a homecoming convocation and the annual parade top this year’s list of events. It will all kickoff on Thursday, Oct. 27, with the annual torch light parade at 9:00 p.m. on the Rutledge lawn followed by a pep rally at 9:30 p.m.

     Friday’s activities will include a volleyball game (vs. Blackburn College) at 7:00 p.m. in the Wall Gymnasium and the second annual “ghost walk,” sponsored by the Phi Nu Society of MacMurray. The walk will feature tours at 7:30 p.m. and 11:15 p.m. An informal alumni gathering will be held at the Jacksonville Country Club from 8:00 pm. to 11:00 p.m.

     Saturday’s events include the Harker 5K Run/Walk which starts things off bright and early at 8:30 a.m. A registration and hospitality tent will welcome all alumni to stop by from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. South of the tennis courts there will be activities available for children at no charge from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. which include inflatables, face painting, games and prizes.

     The homecoming parade steps off at 10:00 a.m. with over 80 entries including 8 marching bands.

     This year, there will be two parade marshals. They are David and Sharon Mouri, alumni from 1979 and 1982 respectively. They were both members of the Holy Fools, a Christian clown ministry group, and they will be dressed as clowns during the parade. The Holy Fools is celebrating its 30th reunion this year. Mr. Mouri was the original “head fool” and one of the 12 founding members of the campus ministry.

     Women’s soccer hits the field at 11:00 a.m. versus Westminster University.

     This year, the homecoming convocation will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday in Annie Merner Chapel. The MacMurray community will celebrate Founders’ Day and the Alumni Association will present awards as well as posthumously recognize three alumni: Mary Louise Powell Jenkins ’15, Lucille V. Crawford ’27 and Bettylou Stahl ’41 by dedicating special areas of the campus in their honor.

     Student food booths will be available south of the tennis courts from 11:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. At 12:30 p.m., the traditional Phi Nu Tea will be held in the Rutledge Lounge. All Phi Nu alumnae are welcome to attend.

     At 1:00 p.m. men’s soccer takes to the field versus Westminster University while MacMurray Highlanders prepare for football versus Eureka College at Freesen Field.

     The President’s home will play host to an open house for the classes of 1965, 1980 and the Holy Fools at 4:30 p.m.

     An all campus picnic will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on the lawn of the McClelland Dining Hall with live music by the New Jazz Ensemble. In case of inclement weather, the event will be taken indoors at the dining hall. All alumni, students, faculty, friends and children are welcome to attend.

     All reunion classes are then invited to Hamilton’s Restaurant at 7:00 p.m. where there will be a dessert bar and cash bar.

     The homecoming weekend begins to wrap up on Sunday morning with a traditional non-denominational Holy Fools Service at 9:30 a.m. in Annie Merner Chapel. At 11:00 a.m. the Jacksonville Country Clubs hosts the annual Athletic Hall of Fame Brunch.

     Homecoming 2005 will feature one final event with women’s soccer versus the alumni in a match at 12:00 noon on the soccer field.

     More information and a complete listing of these events can be found at http://www.mac.edu/alumni/alumni_homecoming_2005.asp or call the Alumni Office at (217) 479-7030.

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     Located in Jacksonville, Ill., MacMurray College is a private, four-year, liberal arts, coeducational college, founded in 1846, and affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Its friendly, informal environment stresses academic excellence, personal attention, career experience, and well-rounded development of each individual.