Queens’s 30th Homecoming Highlighted by Men’s Basketball 85-75 Win over Bellarmine
Athletics Hall of Fame inductee, Kelley Duffy ’10 and her family enjoy the Homecoming festivities during FanFest.
Alumni, parents, and friends flocked to campus for Queens’ 30th Homecoming festivities the first weekend in February.
On Friday evening the Athletics Hall of Fame recognized former student-athletes Reggie Hopkins ’11, Kelley Duffey DeSmit ’10, Maria Housiadas Paloumpas ’06, Christiaan Lee-Daigle ’12, and Felix Duchampt ’15. The 11th induction class also included Jeff Aumend, former head softball coach from 1993-2000.
A sunny Saturday afternoon on the Lenfest lawn was filled with s’mores, a bounce house, Queens’ Royals Rise beer, student organizations tabling, and music by DJ Swale (Chris Tolbert ’16). While the women’s basketball team lost to Austin Peay 63-38, Nicole Gwynn ’25 scored 12 points to become the 16th player in program history to reach the 1,000 point milestone.
Saturday evening the men’s basketball team defeated Bellermine 85-75, contributing in part to Deyton Albury ’25 being tabbed as ASUN Newcomer of the Week for the second straight week and AJ McKee ’25 being named ASUN Player of the Week. During halftime Maria Garcia-Castillo ’24 and Zac Baker ’25 were named Homecoming Royalty with a collection of past Homecoming Queens and Kings joining them on the court.
Thank you to everyone who made this year’s Homecoming a memorable weekend. We look forward to celebrating 2025’s Homecoming in early February after welcoming more alumni back to campus for Alumni Reunion Weekend April 12-13!
Queens’ 10th QUnited Culminates on February 29!Our milestone year includes an ambitious QUnited goal – $500,000 raised from 1,500 donors by midnight on Thursday, February 29. Do not wait…make your gift today! You can inspire classmates and friends to join in on challenges and win Queens swag. We will award courtside seats at a 2024-2025 men’s basketball game to a donor who makes a splash on social media with the hashtag #QUnited. Graphics and ideas are available online with our Advocate Toolkit.
Estonian Ambassador Discusses Europe’s Future with Queens Students. The N.C. Zeitgeist Foundation and the Alliance Française brought Estonian Ambassador Kristjan Prikk to campus for a dynamic student-led discussion titled “Russia, Ukraine, Europe, and Beyond: Objectives, Risks, Opportunities.”
Seeing Auschwitz Exhibit Makes its North American Debut in Charlotte. The Stan Greenspon Center for Holocaust and Social Justice Education welcomed its first visitors to the North American debut of “Seeing Auschwitz on February 9. This powerful exhibition incorporates 100 photographs, sketches and testimonies of the German Nazi camp Auschwitz and the Holocaust.
Imam Abdullah Antepli Receives the Stan Greenspon Upstander Award.Rabbi Judy Schindler presented Iman Abdullah, vice president and provost of community engagement at Duke University, this prestigious award for building interfaith bridges of understanding between Muslims and Jews and promoting peace and religious tolerance.
ANSWER Scholarship Provides a Pathway to Queens for Two Moms. Student RaeDeja Sawyer ’25 and alumna Nokisha Barringer ’23 did not allow the challenges of life deter their dreams to attend college. While balancing motherhood, work and other responsibilities, both women were able to attend Queens thanks to the generous support of the ANSWER Scholarship.
Queens Alumni Flood the Job Market.The Vandiver Center for Career Development recently shared that 97% of Class of 2023 graduates are employed, in graduate school, completing a post-graduation internship or working for a service organization. Nationally, this rate is amongst the highest in positive career outcomes.
UPCOMING ALUMNI EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
Baseball in Kannapolis on March 12. Following up on 2023’s win over App State at Truist Field in Uptown Charlotte, Queens’ baseball team faces off again against the Mountaineers at minor league Atrium Health Ballpark at 6:30pm.
Easter Egg Hunt on March 23. The 27th Annual event includes face painting plus photos with the Easter Bunny and Rex. Activities start at 9:30am and the hunt begins at 10:00am.
Alumni Reunion Weekend on April 12-13. Classes ending in 4s and 9s, along with MFA alumni, will return to campus to reconnect and make new memories. Hotel registration special rates end March 11, so book your room today.
Fiona Davis and Ron Rash Featured with Friends of the Library Luncheon on March 5. The 53rd annual Friends of the Library Book and Author Luncheon has limited seats remaining after a sold out event the previous evening. The program includes a pre-event wine reception followed by a seated luncheon and presentations from our guest authors.
2023 Charlotte BusinessWoman of the Year on March 7. The on-campus luncheon is sold out, but interested parties can still register to join virtually to honor Dr. Kandi Deitemeyer, president of Central Piedmont Community College.
Seelbinder Literary Arts Series with Dr. Taylor Byas, Poet on March 14.The English Department hosts a poetry reading with Dr. Byas, whose debut full-length collection, I Done Clicked My Heels Three Times, won the 2023 Maya Angelou Book Award. Inspired by The Wiz, this book celebrates South Side Chicago and a Black woman’s quest for self-discovery.
Women’s Lacrosse Hosts Furman on March 16. The last home game before ASUN regular season competition begins precedes trips to Wofford on March 20 and Clemson on March 24.
Men’s Lacrosse Hosts Bellarmine on March 23. This game’s noon start will be the team’s second home ASUN Conference matchup this season, following a game hosting Lindenwood on March 20.
