Randolph-Macon College Yellow Jackets returned to their alma mater October 19-21, 2018 for Homecoming weekend—three days filled with camaraderie, fun, and lemon-and-black celebrations.

Alumni and guests enjoyed a variety of events throughout the weekend, including an Open House in Dalton Alumni House; a “last class” with Classics Professor Emeritus Greg Daugherty; field hockey and soccer games; a display in the McGraw-Page Library to commemorate the 150th anniversary of RMC’s move to Ashland; stargazing in Keeble Observatory; tailgating; and “Rock’n the Brock,” an evening filled with dancing and music. Fans of all ages showed their Yellow Jacket pride as they cheered on the football team, which beat the Bridgewater Eagles 44-41.

SOA Awards Banquet
Society of Alumni (SOA) President Hunter Leemon ’00 welcomed alumni to the SOA Awards Banquet, which was held in Birdsong Hall’s Dalton Room. RMC President Robert R. Lindgren offered remarks, and Earnest “Buddy” Teaster III ’86 was the featured speaker. Teaster, president of Soles4Souls, a nonprofit that seeks to disrupt the cycle of poverty through donations and micro businesses in impoverished communities, described how Randolph-Macon helped prepare him for a career dedicated to social entrepreneurship.

During the banquet, the SOA honored several members of the RMC family.

Buddy Teaster III ’86 was presented the Distinguished Alumnus award; Sam Fitch III ’65, Professor Emeritus at University of Colorado, received the Distinguished Alumnus award; Lauren Cox Sweeney ’10, owner of Dotted Line Collaborations marketing firm, was presented the Young Alumna Achievement Award; and Frank E. “Pepper” Laughon ’59, retired chairman and CEO of Richmond Cold Storage, received the Susan H. Donavant Award, which recognizes exemplary volunteer service to the alumni program.

The Noë-Kilgore Award, established several years ago by an anonymous alumnus of the college, honors faculty emeriti and is named in honor of retired Randolph-Macon professors Bill Noë and Pete Kilgore. The 2018 Noë-Kilgore Awards were presented to Daniel V. McCaffrey, Professor Emeritus of Classics, and Brian W. Moores, Professor Emeritus of Chemistry. Classics Professor Emeritus Gregory Daugherty was presented the SOA Faculty Appreciation Award.

The Tom Powers Award
In 2003 the Society of Alumni Board created the Tom Powers Award to recognize classes that reach the highest giving participation rate within their decade. Dubbed “Mr. RMC” by his peers, Tom Powers ’31 was a tireless volunteer, inspiring alumni to both volunteer for and financially support Randolph-Macon.

As chairman of the college’s $15 million capital campaign, “Our Heritage, Our Future: The Campaign for Randolph-Macon College,” which ran from 1984 to 1987, Powers donated more than 1,000 hours of his time.

The following class years received the Tom Powers award:
• For the 1930s decade, the class of 1938 won the award, with 100% participation.
• For the 1940s decade, the classes of 1941 and 1943 tied with 100% participation.
• For the 1950s decade, the class of 1956 won with 67% participation.
• For the 1960s decade, the class of 1963 won with 61% participation.
• For the 1970s decade, the class of 1975 won with 64% participation.
• For the 1980s decade, the class of 1981 won with 49% participation.
• For the 1990s decade, the class of 1997 won with 38% participation.
• For the 2000s decade, the class of 2008 won with 31% participation.
• For the 2010s decade, the class of 2017 won with 40% participation.

Book Signings
In the lobby of Brock Commons, alumni and friends of the college visited with History Professor Emeritus James Scanlon, author of two definitive histories of RMC, and Buddy Teaster III ’86, author of shoestrings.

Conclusion
The weekend concluded with a Sunday worship service at Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church, where Rev. Dorothy McNeer O’Quinn and Rev. Joshua McCauley offered a special Homecoming message.