Coming Home to Westminster College Tradition

Westminster College continues its homecoming traditions Friday-Sunday, Oct. 17-19.

The weekend kicks off Friday at 1 p.m. when the Golden Tower Society (alumni of the class of 1953 or earlier) comes together in Ferguson lounge. Alumni can take a campus tour including the new McKelvey Campus Center, watch the Student Government Association's annual Powder Puff Football competition, or join the Friends of the Library "Tea with the Books." At 6 p.m., the dedication of the Marjorie A. Walker Recreation Center in Old 77 will take place.

Friday continues with a Citation Celebration Dinner where Westminster recognizes its own with citation and achievement awards. This year's Westminster College Alumni Citation recipients include Jane R. Coleman, Douglas W. Huemme, and Ashley E. Davis, recipient of the Outstanding Young Alumni Award.

Coleman, a 1949 Westminster graduate, completed her graduate work at Carnegie Tech, now Carnegie Melon University, in 1950. She started her professional career as personal secretary and office manager at Ketchum, Inc., a professional fund-raising firm. For a short time, Coleman was secretary at the Pittsburgh Xenia Theological Seminary, but returned to Ketchum in 1953 as secretary to the treasurer. During the coming years at Ketchum, Coleman was one of the few women who was achieving executive distinction in the professional fund raising-field. She advanced to assistant to the treasurer, then assistant treasurer, and to treasurer. At her retirement in 1992, she notes that women "who have reached various levels on the executive ladder probably have helped to ease the way for those who follow." A fitting thought for an alumna of one of America's earliest coeducational colleges.

Huemme, a 1963 Westminster graduate, took his chemistry degree to PPG Industries where he spent two years in research and development, and then was transferred to California, where he became the youngest person to be promoted to the key position of technical director. In 1976, Huemme was recruited by Whittaker Corporation in Los Angeles, where he took a fragmented business and consolidated it into Whittaker's most profitable business group, while becoming vice president and group executive for the chemicals group. Following the sale of Whittaker's Chemical Group, he took a position as president and CEO of Lilly Industrial Coatings in Indianapolis, where he culminated his career as chairman and CEO. When he speaks to young aspiring business students, he often emphasizes the importance of involvement in a variety of campus activities in addition to academic pursuits.

Davis graduated from Westminster College in 1997 with a degree in public relations, and went to work as a senior associate for Greenlee Partners, LLC in Harrisburg. While at Greenlee, she worked on both national and statewide fund-raising initiatives, and served as a lobbyist on behalf of clients such as the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the City of Philadelphia. She also worked on campaigns for Governor Ridge and U.S. Senator Rick Santorum, but it was her work on the Bush-Cheney election campaign that advanced her career to the White House. After working on the Republican National Convention, Bush for President in Pennsylvania, and the Florida recount, she was named deputy director of management and administration. As deputy director, she oversaw the White House Military Office, the Office of White House Management, and the Office of Administration. From that position she advanced to special assistant to Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge. She now serves as a lobbyist for the Blank Rome Government Relations LLC in Washington, D.C.,where she works with the Office of Homeland Security, federal agencies and the Bush administration on issues pertaining to Pennsylvania state politics.

The parade, judged by the class of 1953, will proceed down Market Street at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. This year's theme, Medieval Times, will bring a display of Lords, Ladies, and Knights in shining armor, who will bestow goodies to the masses.

Several luncheons that require reservations are planned for 11:30 a.m. Saturday. The reunion celebration luncheon, which honors alumni celebrating their 25th or 50th reunion is scheduled at the Witherspoon Rooms of the McKelvey Campus Center. The fifth cluster reunion picnic will be held for the classes of 1997, 1998, and 1999 in Orr Lobby. The football reunion luncheon at Memorial Field for the members of the 1953, 1955, 1956, and 1964 undefeated football teams. An all-alumni picnic is planned at the Anderson Amphitheater.

At 1:30 p.m., the Titans football team will take on the Thiel College Tomcats at Memorial Field. Halftime activities include the recognition of undefeated Titan football teams, and the crowning of the Homecoming King and Queen.

Sunday closes Alumni Weekend with a worship service at 10:30 a.m. in the New Wilmington Presbyterian Church. Former Westminster choir members are asked to come at 9:30 a.m. to get in a bit of practice before the service.

For more information, contact Mary James, director of alumni at Westminster College, at (724) 946-7363 or e-mail mjames@westminster.edu.

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