WMU News

Homecoming week Oct. 6-13 promises to be blast

Oct. 2, 2002

KALAMAZOO -- There will be a little something for everyone Sunday, Oct. 6, through Sunday, Oct. 13, when Western Michigan University's celebrates Homecoming 2002, "A Blast from the Past: WMU Through the Decades."

Among the many activities open to the public will be a 5K and 1K run/walk; the wild and wacky Friday Festival; and a variety of shows, concerts and athletic competitions.

In addition, WMU's student-run radio station WIDR-FM 89.1 will be adding to the nostalgic atmosphere of this year's festivities by commemorating its 50th anniversary. WIDR will be broadcasting historical highlights of the station's evolution, featuring former staffers on air and presenting a decade-by-decade musical review during a dinner Saturday, Oct. 12.

Earlier on Saturday, members of the WIDR Alumni Society, one of the WMU Alumni Association's constituent organizations, will gather with other WMU graduates at the association's third annual Homecoming PepFest from 1 to 3 p.m. in the tent village at Hyames Field.

The free PepFest (buying a meal ticket is optional) is a perfect place for alumni and friends to gather, socialize and fire up for the Homecoming football game against the University of Central Florida, the newest football team to join the Mid-American Conference.

Those attending the large pre-game party will be able to reminisce with alumni from their eras, check out the alumni association's constituent societies, visit with representatives from several WMU colleges, and have lunch as well as listen to live music. If the weather cooperates, they also will be treated to a special display of vintage cars from the Gilmore Classic Car Club Museum.

Other Bronco fans will fire up for the 3:30 p.m. football game by gathering in the corporate area of the Hyames Field tent village. Businesses or organizations that want to sponsor a tailgate party in the village's corporate area should call Irene Bracken in the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics at (269) 387-3062. Tents as well as game tickets are still available.

The WMU Alumni Association will kickoff its celebration of Homecoming weekend on Friday, Oct. 11, with a dinner honoring the winners of its Distinguished Alumni Awards at 6:30 p.m. in the West Ballroom of the Bernhard Center.

The previously announced 2002 award recipients, all of whom have gained international recognition, are: Dr. A. John Daniel of Durban, South Africa, a world-renown scholar and activist; Huey D. Johnson of Mill Valley, Calif., a pioneer in protecting and managing the Earth's natural resources; and James J. Leisenring of Ridgefield, Conn., a leader in the effort to establish international accounting standards.

Also on Friday, WMU students will be participating in a variety of zany contests during the traditional Friday Festival, which will feature the soap box derby at noon in front of the Siebert Administration Building, Fritter Fest at 2 p.m. on the Promenade Plaza by Wood Hall and the Western Olympics at 3:30 p.m. by Goldsworth Valley Pond. The day's student-oriented activities will end at 6 p.m. with entertainment and a pep rally by the pond.

Homecoming Saturday will begin with the fourth Homecoming Campus Classic race/walk, which offers a certified course that begins at the Bernhard Center and showcases the WMU campus.

On-site registration will open at 8 a.m., with the 1K kid's fun run and fun walk starting at 8:30 a.m. and the 5K run and fun walk starting at 9:15 a.m. Refreshments will be available for participants, volunteers and spectators during the event, which will culminate with an awards ceremony and free brunch for participants and volunteers.

Other athletic-related events taking place during Homecoming week are a women's soccer match Oct. 6, the Bronco Invitational men's and women's cross country meet Oct. 11, volleyball matches Oct. 11 and 12, and a hockey game Oct. 12. For times and tickets, call (269) 387-8092 or (888) 496-8849 or visit <www.wmubroncos.com>.

Some of the shows and concerts scheduled during Homecoming week include a free performance by Gold Company, WMU's internationally acclaimed vocal jazz ensemble, at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, in the Bernhard Center's Bronco Mall; the University Theatre production of "Kiss of the Spiderwoman" at 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10 through 12, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13; the annual March Down Step Show at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, in Miller Auditorium; and the Choral Showcase featuring the University Chorale, Women's Chorus and Collegiate Singers at 2 and 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13, in the Dalton Center Recital Hall.

For more information about WMU's 2002 Homecoming week or to confirm event times, visit the Homecoming Web site at <www.wmich.edu/homecoming>. More information also is available by calling the WMU Alumni Association at (269) 387-8777 and by visiting the Events page in WMU News <www.wmich.edu/news/events>.

 

Partial Schedule of 2002 Homecoming Week Activities

Sunday, Oct. 6

"Blast from the Past" (through Oct. 14) historical display, WMU Centennial Committee, free, model cars, scenes of parking and more from the 1950s to today, first floor Bernhard Center, regular center hours.

Women's soccer vs. Akron, free, WMU Soccer Complex, noon.

Performance by Gold Company, WMU's internationally praised vocal jazz ensemble, free, Bronco Mall Center Stage, Bernhard Center, 6:30 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 7

Residence hall lobby decorating, all halls, starting 8 a.m.

King and queen voting, various campus locations, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Student exhibition (through Oct. 11), paintings by Vicki VanAmeyden and Painting Group Show, free, East Hall Galleries, weekdays 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; reception Friday, Oct. 11, 5-7 p.m.

Battle of the Bands, free, Goldsworth Valley Pond area, 6 p.m.

Judging for residence hall lobby decorating, all halls, 8 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 8

Visiting artist workshop (though Oct. 12), ceramics with Jun Kaneko, free, Knollwood Art Annex, 9 a.m. to noon and 1:15 to 5 p.m.

King and queen voting, various campus locations, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Presentation by hypnotist Tom DeLuca, Bernie's After Hours comedy club, East Ballroom, Bernhard Center, 9 p.m.; $1 attendees with valid WMU ID, $2 general public.

Wednesday, Oct. 9

Blast from the Past Lunch, food reflective of the 1950s, all residence hall cafeterias, noon.

Dalton Concert Series, Orchid Ensemble, Dalton Center Recital Hall, 8:15 p.m.; for tickets, call (269) 387-2300 or (800) 228-9858.

Thursday, Oct. 10

Chalk It Up for Charity, Miller Plaza, 1:30 p.m.; student chalk drawing contest, prize money goes to local charities designated by the winners.

Guest artist recital, Marianna Vasilyeva, violin, free, 1116 Dalton Center, 3 p.m.
WMU Release #0203-075; Oct. 1, 2002

University Theatre, "Kiss of the Spiderwoman," Shaw Theatre, Oct. 10-12 and 17-19, 8 p.m., Oct. 13, 2 p.m.; for tickets, call (269) 387-6222.

Concert, University Jazz Orchestra directed by Scott Cowan, Dalton Center Recital Hall, 8:15 p.m.; students/seniors $5, others $7.

Comedy show, Tiny Glover, sponsored by CAB, Bernhard Center Ballroom, 9 p.m.; $1 attendees with valid WMU ID, $2 general public.

Friday, Oct. 11

Cross country, Bronco Invitational, varsity men's and women's teams, free, Pine View Golf Club, Three Rivers, Mich.; for time, call (269) 387-3120.

Friday Festival, free--soap box derby, in front of the Siebert Administration Building, noon, Fritter Fest, on the Promenade Plaza near Wood Hall, 2 p.m., and the Western Olympics by Goldsworth Valley Pond, 3:30 p.m.

Alumni open house, Division of Multicultural Affairs, east wing of second floor, Ellsworth Hall, noon to 4 p.m.

Pep rally and free entertainment, by Goldsworth Valley Pond, 6 p.m.

Golden Apple Awards Dinner, sponsored by the College of Education Alumni Society, 6 p.m., Fetzer Center; registration-only event, call (269) 387-2960.

Distinguished Alumni Awards Dinner, sponsored by WMU Alumni Association, West Ballroom, Bernhard Center, reception 6:30 p.m., dinner 7:15 p.m.; registration-only event, call (269) 387-8777.

Volleyball vs. Eastern Michigan, University Arena, 7 p.m.; for tickets, call (269) 387-8092 or (888) 496-8849 or visit <www.wmubroncos.com>.

University Theatre, "Kiss of the Spiderwoman," Shaw Theatre, 8 p.m.; for tickets, call (269) 387-6222.

Saturday, Oct. 12

Campus Classic 1K and 5K run/walk, registration in Bernhard Center, registration opens 8 a.m.

Homecoming PepFest, sponsored by WMU Alumni Association, free except for lunch, Hyames Field, 1 to 3 p.m.

Parade of Nations, Waldo Stadium, 3:15 p.m.

Registered Student Organization Flag Run, Waldo Stadium, 3:20 p.m.

Football game vs. Central Florida, Waldo Stadium, 3:30 p.m.; for tickets, call (269) 387-8092 or (888) 496-8849 or visit <www.wmubroncos.com>.

Homecoming king and queen coronation, Waldo Stadium, halftime of the football game

Marchdown, National Pan-Hellenic Council step show, free, Miller Auditorium, 6 p.m.

WIDR 50th Anniversary Celebration, sponsored by the WIDR Alumni Society, Radisson Plaza Hotel, Kalamazoo, 6 p.m. reception, 7:30 p.m. dinner; reservation-only event, call (269) 387-8777.

Men's hockey vs. Bowling Green, Lawson Ice Arena, 8 p.m.; for tickets, call (269) 387-8092 or (888) 496-8849 or visit <www.wmubroncos.com>.

Volleyball vs. Akron, University Arena, 7 p.m.; for tickets, call (269) 387-8092 or (888) 496-8849 or visit <www.wmubroncos.com>.

University Theatre, "Kiss of the Spiderwoman," Shaw Theatre, 8 p.m.; for tickets, call (269) 387-6222.

Post-Marchdown dance, Student Recreation Center, 10 p.m.

Onyx Society Annual Homecoming Dance, sponsored by the Onyx Society, Radisson Plaza Hotel, Kalamazoo; 10 p.m.-2 a.m.; for ticket information, call International Profyle Barber Beauty & Nails at (269) 375-7285.

Sunday, Oct. 13

University Choral Showcase, concert featuring 170 voices from University Chorale, Women's Chorus and Collegiate Singers, free, Dalton Center Recital Hall, 1:30 and 5 p.m.

University Theatre, "Kiss of the Spiderwoman," Shaw Theatre, 2 p.m.; for tickets, call (269) 387-6222.

Concert, University Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Bruce Uchimura, free, Miller Auditorium, 3 p.m.

Media contact: Jeanne Baron, 269 387-8400, jeanne.baron@wmich.edu


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