Honoring our own: Central State University’s annual Memorial Service

Each year, during Central State University's Homecoming weekend, alumni gather not only to celebrate but also to honor and remember those who are no longer with us. The annual Memorial Service, held in the Sunken Garden, is a solemn and impactful tradition that reflects the deep respect the Marauder community holds for its fallen members. 

Following the Saturday morning Alumni and Friends Scholarship Breakfast and Alumni Meeting, alumni recess to the Sunken Garden, one of the University’s most hallowed spaces.  

“It’s sacred ground,” explained Keith Aaron Perkins, director of the Office of Alumni Relations. “Even though the Memorial Service is short, it’s impactful. Alums, especially senior alums, look forward to that.” 

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The ceremony is brief, lasting about 15 minutes, but its meaning resonates deeply. “We have the Rev. Randall Harris, ’73, the chaplain for the National Alumni Association, as the officiant,” Perkins notes. “We also have either a quartet or quintet from the Central State University Chorus to provide music.” 

The service culminates in a solemn balloon release, honoring alumni who have passed away in the previous year. Participants are invited to share the names of those they know, creating a space for reflection and collective mourning.  

“The Memorial Service is meant to show respect and honor our fallen,” Perkins said. “That’s something we take to heart.” 

For many in attendance, especially older alumni, the ceremony is also a moment to consider their own mortality. Perkins shares the story of Constance Harper, a highly respected alumna from Cleveland, who enjoyed the entirety of Homecoming weekend only to fall ill the following Sunday.  

“She had a wonderful time at Homecoming,” he recalled. “But after the weekend, she passed away suddenly. It woke a lot of people up. You just never know.” 

This poignant reminder underscores the importance of the Memorial Service, not just as a moment to honor those who have passed, but as a reminder of the fleeting nature of life. “When you get a little grey on top, you think about your own mortality,” Perkins reflected. “We’re only here for a while. Even if you’ve been here over 100 years, it’s still only a while.” 

Ultimately, the Memorial Service reflects the core values of the Central State University alumni community: honoring and respecting one another as humans and recognizing the connections that bind Marauders across time and space. It is a time to pay tribute, to reflect, and to acknowledge the enduring spirit of the Central State family. 

As Homecoming approaches, Perkins encouraged alumni to take part in this solemn tradition. “It’s needed for some resolve,” he said. “We’re only here for a while, but the bonds we form at Central State last a lifetime.” 

For the complete Homecoming schedule, visit https://www.centralstate.edu/student-services/homecoming.