Andrews University welcomed graduates and community members for its 38th annual Alumni Homecoming Weekend parade on Sept. 26, 2025. The event served as a highlight of the university’s tradition, bringing together former students, faculty and community members to celebrate school spirit.
The parade, which started at Andrews Academy and marched down the college campus on Friday afternoon, featured colorful floats, spirited performances from university clubs, local organizations, and academic departments. It concluded with a Parade of Nations featuring colorful flags and cultural clothing from all over the world, which created a vibrant display of Andrews’ past and present. Crowds of families, students, faculty and community members lined the route to cheer on participants.
The parade started right at 5 p.m. with President Dr. John Wesley Taylor V and his wife, Miriam, being driven in a vintage car. Several academic departments and a small group from Apple Valley Market followed in the procession. There was an electrifying performance by the Andrews University Gymnics. Ryan Reinhardt (freshman, exercise science and pre-physical therapy), who is a member of the Gymnics, said, “for the last month, we had been working on moves and getting our groups together, so when the day came for the parade, we were able to just follow coaches instructions when we got there and put together a nice short routine,” He also said, “Being a part of the parade was fun, we were able to hit all our moves and be safe while performing on the street with no mats, which was scary especially since it was our first performance, but we had fun and enjoyed cheering on the other groups as well.”
After the Gymnics performance, there was a special performance from the South Korean church. Another important part of the ceremony was the Parade of Nations, with people carrying flags of various countries, from Puerto Rico to Ireland. One of the participants, Laura Aguiar (freshman, architecture) said, “It was great to represent my country in the Parade of Nations! I am proud of my Brazilian origins and roots. I also felt a true sense of belonging among so many nations represented. Andrews is such a diverse university, and yet everyone was united with the same message and purpose.”
Lastly, the music department, the reigning champions of the float competition, finished up the parade with their 1970s-themed float. They had many students playing different songs from the decade. Etien (junior, biology) said, “The parade was lots of fun! It was great seeing everyone play their role and dress up in their unique costumes. Being a part of the music float, I was impressed with what Marcus [music department office manager] and the band pulled off!”
The music department also had a court, with chosen members of each class from the music department participating. Nathalia Phu, this year’s freshman music department princess, said, “It felt really exciting to be a part of this year‘s alumni weekend parade, when I first heard about it, I didn’t realize it would be such a big production, but when I saw the float on the day of, and I saw everyone dressed up I got really excited for the event.”
The Alumni Homecoming Weekend celebration also included campus tours, worship services, academic showcases and reunion dinners, offering opportunities for connection. Yet, the parade remained a centerpiece of the festivities, capturing the spirit of Andrews University in a unique way. With the blend of nostalgia and celebration, the parade not only honored the school’s traditions but also highlighted the creativity, energy, and diverse talents of its students, faculty, and alumni.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.