Homecoming Returns with Old and New Traditions

After taking a year off from in-person Homecoming, Truman’s 2021 Homecoming blended traditional events for both students and visitors to campus with new ways of approaching old classics. The alumni events kicked off with the Truman Experience, which replaced the Bulldog Forever Banquet. As a part of the Truman Experience, seven notable alumni received Dogs of Distinction Awards:

Alumnus of the Year Bill “Woody” Woodall (’79)

Young Alumna of the Year
Hope (Slaby) Harms (’07)

Distinguished Service Donna (Tague) Bailey (’76, ’84)

Distinguished Service Dennis Hohn (’67, ’73)

Distinguished Service Dr. Fontaine Piper (’70, ’78)

Parade Grand Marshal John Garlock (’90)

Denise L. Smith Volunteer of the Year JoEllen (Flanagan) Engelbart (’11) posthumously

Additionally, the St. Louis Alumni Chapter was awarded the Bulldog Forever Initiative of the Year for their event “Home for the Holidays Virtual Mixology Class.”

The Truman Experience also brought back one of Truman’s richest Homecoming traditions – the Golden Alumni Diploma Ceremony. The tradition of honoring 50th year graduates began in 1996. The University paused that tradition in 2020. As a part of Truman’s Homecoming 2021, 34 alumni from the classes of 1970 and 1971 received commemorative golden diplomas from University President Sue Thomas.

The Bulldog Forever tailgate invited alumni, friends and community members to celebrate with students, faculty and staff.

At the football game, students crowned Homecoming royalty and celebrated the culmination of a new Truman Homecoming tradition by announcing the amount of money raised during the week for charity. The recipient of this year’s philanthropy efforts is FLATS (Forest Lake Area Trail System). More than $15,000 was raised for FLATS as a part of Homecoming competitions.

Relive Homecoming 2021’s highlights here.