Alumni Weekend 2017
Alumni Weekend
In continuation with the 50th year celebrations, a record breaking number of MBU Alumni gathered Aug. 25-26 for food, fellowship, music, sports, and the grand revealing of the Alumni Plaza.
The festivities kicked off Friday evening with a concert that featured a musical ensemble from nearly every decade of Maranatha’s existence.
Jim Braughler, coordinator for the concert’s events, explained the order of service as “going from the newest to the,” he paused, and then respectfully added “most experienced,” setting the jovial atmosphere for the remainder of the concert.
Over 159 ensembles have traveled for Maranatha, Braughler said. The ones who performed at the concert were Heritage Singers, Outreach Quartet, Watchmen, King’s Daughters, Messengers, and The Trumpets of Praise. Watch a recording of the concert below.
Alumni Plaza Dedication
Following the concert, MBU hosted dinner in the Dining Complex, where all the fun and fellowship continued. And then, full from dinner, the crowd made their way to the Alumni Plaza dedication.
Dr. Marriott, president of MBU, shared from Joshua 4:21:
And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones?”
Marriott said the meaning of the stones is that we remember, hope, and dedicate. Remember God’s provision and leading and the sacrifice of others to be used of God in this ministry. Hope for more stones symbolic of the Lord’s continued provision. 
“We dedicate this plaza to you – Lord – as a place of sacred memory, of those who gave much, who provided examples to us, and who led us wisely,” Dr. Marriott prayed, “of your wise and loving hand, which providentially brought Maranatha into existence and has kept her to this hour to the Praise of Your Glory.”
The former students enjoyed coffee and dessert after the dedication.
Alumni vs. University Teams
The athletic alumni, not to be left out in all the excitement, participated in scrimmages, starting the Saturday morning festivities. The alumni volleyball team scrimmaged the University’s varsity and junior varsity teams. The sets were a draw for a 2-2 record. For more stats and pictures visit the team’s Facebook page.
Before the soccer games in the afternoon, the former students enjoyed a cookout near the soccer field. Following lunch, the women’s alumni team ended the game with a tie score of 1-1. The men’s alumni soccer team suffered a loss, 1-0, to the University team.
Alumni and University staff and faculty look forward to Alumni Weekend 2018!
Click here for more photos.