Homecoming 2016

NEW YORK CITY – On November 4 and 5, upwards of 100 alumni participated in the College’s Homecoming weekend. Friday night’s welcome reception in the O’Keeffe Student Union was lively and well-attended, featuring a photo booth and a large display of King’s gear, and lasted well beyond the official closing time as alumni enjoyed catching up.

Saturday’s cruise aboard the Cornucopia Destiny departed from the 14th Street pier in Hoboken, New Jersey around 1:15 p.m. The weather was warm and mild, and alumni from both campuses enjoyed a sumptuous lunch in the ship’s elegant dining room. When lunch was underway, Alumni Association President Chris Ross ’10 opened the program and conferred the first two alumni awards—the J. Stanley Oakes Award on Adam Kail ’08, and the Distinguished Service Award on Lynn Mitchell ’86. (Full bios of all the honorees, along with details about each award, were published earlier this fall.)

In remarks submitted in advance (as he was not able to attend), Mr. Kail talked about how King’s gave him lifelong friendships, important academic and spiritual challenges, and a desire to build great businesses. He expressed his continuing admiration for the Stan Oakes’s work in spearheading the effort to open a Christian college in New York City against upside-down odds, and said, “The King’s College taught me that worldview matters. It taught me that there’s a marketplace of ideas, and how I think about the world is very important. Today, more than ever, there’s a need for thoughtful, engaged followers of Jesus to be leaders in our businesses, schools, governments, courtrooms, and the public square.” He added, “I’d encourage us to remember that we’re on this earth to serve our King and point others to him. Our earthly leaders come and go, but God remains on the throne…As alumni, let’s continue to support each other and live our lives in a way that points people to Jesus.”

Upon receiving her award, Ms. Mitchell characterized her experience serving the Alumni Association for nearly a decade and reconnecting with the New York City College, saying, “I feel like I’ve been a witness to a protracted miracle, and I don’t say that lightly as a Presbyterian—one of God’s Frozen Chosen. But King’s is once again a light shining in a dark place.”

The Charles W. Anderson Award was introduced and conferred by Steve French, NBC ’90, on Dr. Mitch Glaser, NBC ’73, President of Chosen People Ministries. In accepting his award, Dr. Glaser said, “Dr. Anderson…loved the Jewish people and for years made Northeastern a haven for Messianic Jews like me who sensed God’s call to full-time Jewish ministry…I eventually served on the board of the College and though I was not happy to see the school close, I was privileged to be part of giving the assets of Northeastern to King’s, which led to the creation of a wonderful Christian educational presence in the heart of the city I love and where I have served for many years…what a joy it is to see how God has blessed King’s. I have always been deeply moved by the way the leadership of King’s, from Stan Oakes to Greg Thornbury, have maintained the good name and legacy of Dr. Anderson and Northeastern, and I believe this is one of the reasons God is blessing King’s…as honoring the past efforts of godly men and women is pleasing to the Lord and a good example for future generations.”

Finally, Rick Millham ’90 introduced Jeff Taylor Sandnes ’90, the Alumnus of the Year. Mr. Sandnes recounted how his time at King’s produced more spiritual growth than at any other time of his life, how supportive his professors were, and the warm sense of family that characterized his college experience—in short, how much The King’s College meant to him. He joked about wanting to hang the award on his front door, but grew emotional as he both opened and closed his remarks saying, “This is the greatest honor I will ever receive.”

Chris Ross then resumed the microphone, and after briefly calling the company’s attention to the Alumni Association’s officer reelection ballot, introduced President Gregory A. Thornbury.

Thornbury drew an anecdote from his recent book on the life of the Jesus Movement singer Larry Norman, in which a famous concert promoter came up to Norman outside an evangelistic crusade just after Bob Dylan’s conversion to Christianity, and anxiously asked him, “This Christianity thing…how long does it last?” One might think about that question in connection with The King’s College, he said, as the College has been through many moves and iterations, and more than one time of great uncertainty. But good things are afoot at King’s. Thornbury recounted a visit to the home of a friend of King’s in North Carolina, where he was unexpectedly approached by a stranger who said, “I love The King’s College,” and proceeded to explain that he was the Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court. The King’s mission, Thornbury said, is not only being advanced by students, faculty, and alumni, but it is also being advanced by the supporters of King’s and by Christians in high places—and they are finding the College in numbers. He also mentioned the College’s new partnership with Scott Rasmussen of the Rasmussen Media Group, who has just launched the Center for Community Problem Solving at King’s and who holds forth hope that while “politics has failed, America will not.” King’s is bearing witness, he said, to the concert promoter’s question—“How long is this Christianity thing going to last?”—“Until Jesus the King of kings returns.”

The yacht paused near the Statue of Liberty for much of Thornbury’s address. After he concluded, dessert was served on the upper decks, and alumni dispersed to socialize and enjoy the sunshine. The yacht docked at 3:30, allowing everyone a leisurely departure.

Richard Smiraldi ’89 said after the event, “Homecoming in Manhattan is a blast! It truly was one of the most moving and memorable Homecoming experiences I have ever had. I hope all of my friends from Briarcliff Manor will definitely pencil in Homecoming for next year. You won’t be disappointed.”

You can also watch alumni tell stories of their favorite memories from King’s here.

For more than 75 years, The King’s College has educated young leaders to integrate their faith, ethics, and morality seamlessly into their lives and careers. The only traditional Christian liberal arts college or university located in the heart of New York City, King’s prepares students for principled leadership around the world. Visit tkc.edu for more information or request a personalized visit by calling 888-969-7200