Chris Gotshall Photography
Chris Gotshall Photography
Chris Gotshall Photography
Fedoras, zoot suits, fascinators, and designer stockings set the tone as AdventHealth University (AHU) made history with its very first homecoming celebration, welcoming alumni, friends, students, faculty, and community partners for an unforgettable evening of connection and purpose.
More than 270 guests gathered for the 1940s-themed Harmony & Heritage Homecoming, marking the inaugural homecoming event in the university’s 34-year history. Hosted beneath a tent along the shore of Lake Winyah on the Orlando campus, the event blended nostalgia with mission-driven celebrations, honoring the past while investing in the future of health care through fund raising for student scholarships.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to reconnect with graduates and supporters of AdventHealth University, all in the name of raising funds for student scholarships,” said C. Josef Ghosn, Ed.D., FACHE, president of AdventHealth University. “This evening was a powerful reminder that our mission is timeless, across decades, to develop leaders who will practice health care as a ministry.”
Funds raised from homecoming go directly toward student scholarships through the Alumni Scholarship Fund. With $45,000 currently raised for that fund, AHU is almost halfway toward making its goal of $100,000. More than 73 percent of students at AdventHealth University receive some sort of financial aid toward tuition.
“We want to remove any financial barriers to those who want access to high-quality education in the health care field,” said Erin Simmons, chief development officer for AdventHealth University. “Thanks to the generosity of so many wonderful families and community partners, endowed scholarships are set aside each year for students in need.”
From the moment guests arrived, the atmosphere echoed the elegance and optimism of the Big Band era from the late 1930s and early 1940s. Live music filled the evening air, allowing attendees to reminisce across generations.
Attendees also participated in a live handprint art installation, symbolizing the collective impact of staff, faculty, alumni and friends.
A highlight of the evening was a moving presentation by Alyssa Luna, a 2019 biomedical sciences graduate who has become the third generation in her family to practice health care. “I had heard so many great things about AHU,” said Luna. “When I came here, I immediately felt welcomed. I honestly had a fantastic experience while I was here.”
“We look forward to [this event] becoming a much-anticipated annual tradition for AdventHealth University,” said Kathleen Haz, MHA, alumni relations manager for AdventHealth University and a member of the Classes of 2017 and 2020. “Alumni are already calling to find out the date for the next one. Word of mouth travels fast when the event is so special.”
AdventHealth University | May 2026
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