From 1976 and 10 students in the first graduating class to the year 2025 and over 26,000 alumni around the world, the Pensacola Christian College community continues to grow. During the fall, a weekend in October draws generations of alumni together. As they gather, conversations and activities lead attendees to reflect on what God has done and how He is equipping even more Christian leaders to influence the world for Christ.
The Gathering
Alumni and their families started arriving on Thursday and could visit favorite classes once again, take backstage tours of select campus buildings, attend Planetarium shows, and enjoy Sports Center access. As they explored and enjoyed a variety of events, sweet reunions happened all over campus. Pastor Brent Madaris (Doctor of Ministry ’25) of New Haven Baptist Church (Summerville, GA) and family nurse practitioner at Birch Medical witnessed his wife reconnect with a friend in whose wedding she was a junior bridesmaid 40 or 50 years ago. “These personal connections, both old and new, added a meaningful layer to the celebration.”
“These personal connections, both old and new, added a meaningful layer to the celebration.”
“Reconnecting with old friends and faculty meant the most to me this alumni weekend,” shared Kalynn Richardson (Medical Office Administration ’22). As a current neurodiagnostic tech at Norton Brownsboro Hospital (Louisville, KY) in the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit, Kalynn recalled the investment she received from Dr. Donna Smith. When Kalynn was a student, Dr. Smith was her advisor and upper-level course instructor. “[Dr. Smith] was always willing to help and truly wanted [me] to succeed. I definitely had some tough assignments, but they prepared me well for life outside of an academic setting,” she said.
The People
Chapel on Friday morning introduced one of the honored guests, Dr. Dale Adkins, affectionately known as the “Campus Grampa.” Additional special guests present to greet graduates included PCC founder and President Emeritus, Dr. Arlin Horton; Dr. Matt Beemer, a favorite during his 20 years of service as the first dean of communicative arts and later academic vice president; and Dr. Phyllis Rand, an education expert who served at Pensacola Christian Academy, Abeka, and as the first dean of education at PCC.
Friday evening highlighted a formal dinner with President Troy Shoemaker who took the time to warmly welcome the graduates and treat them to a fine meal. Sky Elements Drone Show designer, Holly Levi (Graphic Design ’22) enjoyed fellowship around the table. “It was nice to meet some new people, people that graduated before me, and in completely different fields,” Holly said. “It was very nice, and we would not have met otherwise apart from this event.”
Sarah Hughes (Food Management ’97), a remote Abeka employee and volunteer at Answers in Genesis, thoroughly enjoyed the alumni dinner from a unique perspective. “I used to work in the Regency Room and usually served these types of meals,” she said. “It was fun to watch it this time as a guest who appreciated all the hard work that goes into a meal like that.”
Saturday’s schedule invited alumni to take a dolphin cruise, explore Camp o’ the Pines, take a virtual tour of the Naval Aviation Museum guided by Dr. John Reese, and then cheer for the Eagles soccer team with a field-side tailgate. Office systems graduate Jo Huestis (’10) and stay-at-home mom enjoyed connecting with a fellow alumna. “It’s amazing how frequently I would see people on campus when I was a student or on staff but never took the time to get to know them,” she admitted. “I think PCC is full of endless possibilities to get to know people, and I love it.”
“I think PCC is full of endless possibilities to get to know people, and I love it.”
Nathan (Bible ’97, Ed. Leadership ’06) and Lois (English Education ’98) Stump have had three children graduate from PCC and have one currently enrolled. “It’s amazing how many of their friends have been children of our college friends,” Nathan said. “I enjoyed catching up with old friends from my era and was encouraged to see the godly heritage passed down from generation to generation of the families of PCC students.”
A Lasting Connection
Every graduate that attended Alumni Homecoming represented a completed degree, graduating class, and area of the world where God called them to serve. As students, each one invested time, developed talents, and surrendered to live for God in the field.
Since having recently earned his doctorate at PCC, Pastor Brent Madaris got to see his research work on display in the Beka Horton Library. “Completing this degree has been a lifelong goal, and to achieve it at an institution I deeply respect has been life-changing,” Brent shared. “PCC has always been a place where I have felt welcomed and accepted, and that experience was only renewed throughout the weekend.”
“This Homecoming reminded me of how meaningful my time at PCC has been.”
Brent valued the opportunity to meet Dr. Horton for the first time. “[We] captured a photo with him—a moment I’ll treasure,” he said. “This Homecoming reminded me of how meaningful my time at PCC has been—not just academically,” he continued, “but in the relationships, mentorship, and encouragement I received. I truly tried to cultivate a deeper friendship with the College on this trip.”