Homecoming celebrates the past, embraces the future
Oct. 1, 2003
KALAMAZOO -- Western Michigan University will be looking back as well as forward during this year's homecoming week, Sunday, Oct. 5, through Sunday, Oct. 12. Now in its centennial year, WMU will "Continue the Legacy" at homecoming by celebrating its past and embracing its future.
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Among the many activities open to the public will be a homecoming parade; the wild and wacky Friday Festival; a 5K and 1K run/walk; the annual March Down, National Pan-Hellenic Council step show; and a variety of shows, concerts and athletic competitions.
The homecoming parade will step off at 10:45 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, with live coverage on WWMT Channel 3 at 11 a.m. The parade, a joint project between WMU and the city of Kalamazoo, will feature dignitaries, period costumes, antique cars, floats and the WMU Marching Band. It will start downtown on the Kalamazoo Mall and wind its way along Lovell Street, ending at the intersection of Lovell and Oakland Drive.
Those visiting campus during 2003's homecoming festivities also will be able to experience some of WMU's history by inspecting the life-size replica of a car from the legendary Western Trolley installed in front of the Bernhard Center, taking a Historic Campus Tour with walking routes on both the East and West campuses (maps are available in the Bernhard Center), and viewing rotating historical displays housed in buildings across campus.
Displays running through Oct. 12 include seven on WMU's presidents. Their locations are: Dwight B. Waldo and Diether H. Haenicke, third floor rotunda, Waldo Library; Paul V. Sangren, second floor, Sangren Hall; James W. Miller, grand tier, Miller Auditorium; John T. Bernhard and Elson S. Floyd, Bernhard Center; and Judith I. Bailey, Siebert Administration Building.
Also on display until Oct. 12 are two free exhibitions of
prints and drawings from the University's Permanent Art Collection.
"Progressive Proof: Celebrating 40 Years of Print Collecting
at Western Michigan University" contains 52 items and is
on display in the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, 314 S. Park St.
Twenty-two additional items are on display on campus in Sangren
Hall's Gallery II.
Additional special events for members of the WMU community and
their families and friends also will be taking place throughout
homecoming week, such as the PepFest for alumni and 50th Anniversary
Reunion for the Class of 1953.
Homecoming day on Saturday, Oct. 11, will lead off with the fifth Homecoming Campus Classic race/walk, which offers a certified course that begins at the Bernhard Center and showcases the WMU campus.
The WMU Alumni Association's fourth annual Homecoming PepFest for alumni of all ages will follow from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. in the tent village at Hyames Field, next to Waldo Stadium. PepFest is a perfect place for alumni and friends to gather, socialize and fire up for the 2 p.m. football game against Bowling Green State University.
Those attending this large pre-game party will be able to reminisce with alumni from their eras and visit with representatives from each of the University's academic colleges as well as with members of the Western Herald Alumni Society, WIDR Alumni Society, Onyx Society, ROTC Alumni Society and Friends of East Campus.
Admission to the PepFest is free (buying a meal ticket is optional), but entry badges are required. Those planning to attend may obtain their badges in advance by calling (269) 387-8777 or using the online reservation form at <www.wmich.edu/alumni/events.html>.
Other Bronco fans will fire up for Saturday's 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.
More information about homecoming activities, updated event times and locations, and cost, registration and ticket details are available online at <www.wmich.edu/homecoming>, <www.wmich.edu/wmu/news/events> and <www.wmich.edu/alumni>.
Partial Schedule of 2003 Homecoming Week Activities
Sunday, Oct. 5
Men's soccer vs. Buffalo, WMU Soccer Complex, 1 p.m.
Concert featuring alumna and opera star Susan B. Anthony with the University Symphony Orchestra, Centennial Scholar and Artist Series, Miller Auditorium, 3 p.m.
Gold Company concert, Bronco Mall Center Stage, Bernhard Center, 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 7
Men's soccer vs. Indiana-Purdue-Ft. Wayne, WMU Soccer Complex, 2 p.m.
Student-sponsored Battle of the Bands, Goldsworth Valley Pond area, 6 p.m.
Concert, Susan B. Anthony and Lori Sims, Dalton Center Recital Hall, 8:15 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 9
"Lend Me a Tenor," University Theatre production, Oct. 9-11 at 8 p.m., Oct. 12 at 2 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 10
Friday Festival: Soapbox Derby XXXII, Gilkison Avenue (next to Sindecuse Health Center), noon; Fritter Fest, Goldsworth Valley Pond area, 2 p.m.; Western Olympics, Goldsworth Valley Pond area, 3:30 p.m.; Centennial Pep Rally, Goldsworth Valley Pond area, 5 p.m.
Women's soccer vs. Bowling Green, WMU Soccer Complex, 3 p.m.
ROTC alumni reception and dinner, special recognition of all alumni of the University's ROTC program who have served in the military: reception, 6-7 p.m.; dinner and program, 7 p.m.; reservations required
Golden Apple Awards Dinner, sponsored by the College of Education Alumni Society, Fetzer Center: reception, 6 p.m.; awards dinner, 7 p.m.; reservations required
Distinguished Alumni Awards dinner, sponsored by the WMU Alumni Association, East Ballroom, Bernhard Center: reception, 6:30 p.m.; dinner 7:15 p.m.; reservations required
Volleyball vs. Eastern Michigan, University Arena, 7 p.m.
Hockey vs. Ferris State, Lawson Ice Arena, 7:30 p.m.
"Lend Me a Tenor," Shaw Theatre, 8 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 11
Campus Classic 5K and 1K run/walk, in front of Bernhard Center: on-site registration opens at 7 a.m.; 1K kid's fun run/walk, 8:15 a.m.; 5K run/walk, 9 a.m.; refreshments for spectators, participants and volunteers during events; awards ceremony and free brunch for participants and volunteers after events
Alumni on Air, former staff of WIDR 89.1, WMU's student-run radio station, re-enter the broadcast booth throughout the day, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Centennial Homecoming Parade, downtown Kalamazoo, 10:45 a.m. to noon
PepFest, sponsored by the WMU Alumni Association, Hyames Field, 11:30 to 1:30 p.m.
Football vs. Bowling Green, includes Parade of Nations/Flag Run before the game and special halftime show, Waldo Stadium, 2 p.m.
Class of 1953 50th Anniversary Reunion Dinner, Bernhard Center, after the football game; reservations required
March Down, National Pan-Hellenic Council step show, Miller Auditorium, 6 p.m.
Volleyball vs. Miami, University Arena, 7 p.m.
"Lend Me a Tenor," Shaw Theatre, 8 p.m.
Onyx Society Annual Homecoming Dance, Radisson Plaza Hotel, Kalamazoo, 9 p.m.
Post March Down Dance, Student Recreation Center, 10 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 12
Men's soccer vs. Akron, WMU Soccer Complex, 1 p.m.
"Lend Me a Tenor," Shaw Theatre, 2 p.m.
Michael Bolton concert, Miller Auditorium, 7 p.m.
Media contact: Jeanne Baron, 269 387-8400, jeanne.baron@wmich.edu