Homecoming 2024: Be Like Tom Lorkowski

Written by Doug Goodnough

Tom Lorkowski, ’79, takes Homecoming seriously.

In fact, the Toledo resident said he will not head south to his Florida winter home until he knows the date of Homecoming each year at Hillsdale College. Homecoming first, then Florida.

And for the past 45 years, there is not much that has prevented him from attending. One year it was a rescheduled family vacation. Another year was a work commitment. And of course, in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the College to cancel Homecoming.

But that’s it. For the 42 other years, he has made it a priority to come back to his alma mater. He said he is grateful for the education he received at the College, as well as the opportunities it afforded him to become a successful businessman.

However, it is even more personal than that. It’s also a family affair. His brothers, Doug, ’95, and Paul, ’90, also attended Hillsdale. The former Chargers football player and member of the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity said returning to gather with his lifelong friends and former teammates at least one weekend out of the year is a must.

“It’s too important for me. I do not want to miss that chance to celebrate with my buddies,” Lorkowski said.

So if you’re still on the fence about attending Homecoming 2024, which is scheduled for October 11-12, here’s some good advice: be like Tom Lorkowski.

Here are some other Homecoming headlines:

• Homecoming is just as important to the current students as it is to alumni. In fact, the campus will have a week full of activities centered around the theme of “Pirates.” The culmination of the week will be Saturday night’s Mock Rock event in the Potter Arena. The Mock Rock name is a bit of a misnomer. In earlier times, the event was conducted in the former Phillips Auditorium (now Plaster Auditorium). And it was more of a lip sync competition with a bit of dance choreography thrown in. Now, it is more or less a high-flying show featuring dance routines that involve dozens of students. If you want high energy and a sense of student spirit, check it out after the football game.
• Those who have clamored for the return of the Tent Party, you get your wish. Last year, we brought this back after Friday’s Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet as a test, and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. This year, we’ve added live music back into the mix. In fact, the entertainment will have a distinct alumni flavor. Arctic Clam, the Toledo-based group featuring Nicole “The Judge” Khoury, ’99, is ready to put on a show for those who attend.
• Of course, we’re ready to welcome back members of the Chi Omega sorority and the Phi Sigma Epsilon fraternity as special guests of honor. The Chi-Os will celebrate their 100th anniversary on the Hillsdale campus with a Saturday luncheon and tailgate. At 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, the new Phi Sig Pavilion will be dedicated and will be the culmination of a beautiful partnership between the Phi Sigs and the College.

It’s still not too late to register (although it’s getting close). You can do so online here. And when you check in during Saturday’s Alumni Tailgate, we’ll give you a free T-shirt and a warm welcome back!

Doug Goodnough, ’90, is Hillsdale’s director of Alumni Marketing. He enjoys connecting with fellow alumni in new and wonderful ways.

Published in October 2024