Thousands of alumni come back for game

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CMU alumni gathered between the ponds to recall good memories and create new ones before Central’s Homecoming game Saturday.

Chris Austin, associate director of alumni relations, said the event
drew thousands for food and a chance to catch up with friends.

“What we’re trying to accomplish is to let alumni know that they can come back and be welcome any time,” Austin said.

Tom Kabrovich, Dearborn resident and 1971 alumnus, said he and his
wife have attended CMU Homecoming events for more than 20 years and
have seen the excitement growing on campus in recent years.

“Students seem more enthusiastic,” he said. “There’s more spirit that I can see this year. It’s like a revival.”

His wife Joann received her Master’s degree from Central in 1996 and said she has also noticed change.

“Students seem to feel like it’s their university,” she said.

Tom Kabrovich said a lot of people he has talked with are getting back to their roots at Central.

“The events have been excellent,” he said. “It’s been getting bigger and bigger.”

Austin said the format of the alumni gathering worked well, with separate tents for each college all in the same area.

“We encourage the people to visit with the deans and alumni from
their college,” he said. “We wanted to bring everyone together.”

Austin said there were representatives from CMU Alumni Associations
across the state with whom alumni could speak about getting involved.

Mary Jane Geerlings, Norton Shores 1958 alumna, said she and her husband had a great time at the gathering.

“It’s wonderful, we haven’t been back in decades,” she said. “We’ve seen people we haven’t seen in a long time.”

Her husband Ed Geerlings, 1959 alumnus, said they will probably be back again, especially if the weather is nice.

John Scheide, biology professor and department chair, said the
College of Science and Technology had many people in line for
hamburgers, chicken and bratwurst. He said he recognized many people
and thought everyone was enjoying seeing past friends.

“They get to meet some people they haven’t seen in a while,” he said. “It’s seeing old friends and making new ones.”

University President Michael Rao said the event was probably the best attended in four years.

“There seems to be a lot of excitement,” he said. “The alumni like
to come back and interact with students. There was a stronger positive
spirit about our university this year.”