Homecoming 2025 was a huge success, with many students, alumni, employees and friends of the college coming to join in this year’s festivities. On Saturday, the weekend came to an exciting close as the CBC Mustangs celebrated an 82-74 win against Missouri Baptist University (MBU).
The weekend began at 11 a.m. on Friday with our annual chili cook-off in the CBC Dining Hall. Students, faculty, staff and alumni all participated, with seven teams competing. Ultimately, the Financial Aid Team won both the prize for the best chili and the award for the best-decorated table.
Later that day, we had the Student-Alumni Carnival at 6 p.m. in the A.R. Reddin Fieldhouse gymnasium. Many people from CBC and the community attended the event, enjoying free funnel cakes, hot chocolate, a photo booth, hot dogs and games. With everything from inflatable obstacle courses to ring toss, the event was a great success and a fun way to end the evening.
We hosted a Homecoming Court Reunion Tea on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. Anyone who has served on the homecoming court in previous years or was on the court this year was invited to attend. The event included 25 ladies representing various classes from the present and the past.
Later, we hosted our annual Alumni Luncheon at 11 a.m. in the Dining Hall. The following alumni attended the Half-Century Club induction ceremony: Thom Battles (1976), Esther (Greenway) Kershner-Mitchell (1976), Ron Barrentine (1977), Dr. Virgil Porter (1977), Charles Idleman (1977), Don Betts (1978) and Karen Jobe (1978). Those also inducted but not present were Paula (Haney) Bender (1976), Charlotte Harper (1977) and Joe Douglas Leonard (1978). Vice President for Enrollment Steve Elder and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Claire Tucker introduced the inductees and awarded them their medallions.
We also presented four alumni awards at the Alumni Luncheon:
• The Outstanding Alumnus Award was presented to Mallory Reed. Mallory graduated in 2019 with a degree in business administration. In the years since, she has poured into our community by honoring widows, supporting foster children and giving to many nonprofit organizations.
• The Achievement Award was presented to Drew Cline. Drew attended CBC from 1990 to 1992. Since then, he has worked as a professional musician and served as a youth and worship pastor at various churches. Along with his wife, Lori, he co-founded Cline Marketing and Content Creation, which has received multiple Telly Awards in filmmaking. He also serves as the lead pastor for South City Church in Little Rock.
• The Service Award was presented to Donny Parrish. Although he is not a graduate of CBC, Donny has faithfully served the college for many years. After becoming acquainted with the ministry of CBC through his roles as a student pastor and worship leader in several local churches, he served as the director of the CBC Singers for one year and, most recently, as the director of spiritual life for the past several years.
• The Legacy Award was presented to President Terry Kimbrow. Since he began his journey at CBC as a student in 1987, President Kimbrow has dedicated himself to the mission of CBC. As an alumnus, a former vice president for Institutional Advancement, a former executive vice president and now the longest-serving president of CBC, President Kimbrow is leaving a legacy that will not be forgotten.
The Homecoming Games began at 1 p.m. in the A.R. Reddin Fieldhouse, with the Lady Mustangs playing first against the Spartans, ending in an exciting overtime win of 81-80 for the Lady Mustangs. After the first game, we recognized our 2025 Homecoming Court, and senior Abby Wilson was crowned as Homecoming Queen. After that, the Mustangs closed out the weekend with the win against MBU.
Another great homecoming weekend has come and gone, and we are very thankful for the alumni, faculty, staff, students and others who helped to make the weekend possible. We look forward to another year of pursuing our mission and making Christ’s name known, and we give Him all the praise and thanks for the blessings He continues to shower on us every day.
