Behind this year’s patriotic theme, “Proudly We Hail,” Delta State University will celebrate its annual Homecoming weekend with a full slate of activities scheduled, beginning Friday, Oct. 20 – Saturday, Oct. 21.
To commence the weekend celebration, Delta State’s Homecoming parade is set for Friday, Oct. 20 at 4 p.m., with all floats in the parade set to line-up at 3 p.m. in the north parking lot of Kent Wyatt Hall and all other units to line-up at 3:30 p.m.
Floats will be judged in the parking lot prior to the parade and awards will be presented during half-time festivities of the homecoming football game, Saturday, Oct. 22.
The parade route will start at the north parking lot of Kent Wyatt Hall and will then enter Delta State campus on Sunflower Road, passing in front of the H. L. Nowell Union and exit onto Fifth Ave. The parade will then proceed up Court St. to Sharpe Ave., then turning north on Sharpe Ave. to Sunflower Rd., proceeding back to Kent Wyatt Hall parking lot.
After the parade, the floats will be taken to Travis E. Parker Field for display. Immediately following the parade, there will be a Pep Rally at the stadium.
Later that evening, an induction ceremony (6:30 p.m.) and dinner (7 p.m.) will take place for the latest “Golden Circle” honorees, the Class of 1956.
Saturday’s activities will start early and last long into the evening, providing ample opportunity for all to become involved. The Jimmy R. Williams Bookstore will open its doors at 8 a.m. in the H.L. Nowell Union and will be providing a 10 percent discount with the presentation of an alumni membership card.
As this year’s festivities are meant to pay special tribute to veterans, The Charles W. Capps, Jr. Archives & Museum will be exhibiting “Students, Soldiers and Veterans: Delta State and the War Years” in the south side gallery, Saturday, 11 a.m. – noon.
The Delta State art department will also be presenting an exhibition, “Alumni Art from Permanent Collection,” which features the works of former DSU art students. A coffee reception will be held on Saturday, Oct. 21 from 10 a.m. – noon in the Wright Art Gallery on campus.
Also that morning, the Alumni Association will host a brunch at 9:30 a.m. in the State Room of the H.L. Nowell Union to present its Outstanding Alumnus of the Year Award to Fred Carl, President of Viking Range Corporation, along with fellow service award winners, Dr. Jimmy Avery (The Hugh Ellis Walker Alumni Service Award); Sue Thweatt King (The Legacy Award); Robert E. Smith (The Gladys Castle “Friend of Delta State” Service Award) and Craig Verhage (The Kent Wyatt “Young Alumnus” Award.
At 11 a.m., many departments across campus will be having “Open Houses,” including the Family and Consumer Sciences’ tour of the Ada Swindle Mitchell Food Labs. The Roberts-LaForge Library will present its open house and tour at 1 p.m.
At 12:30 p.m., there will be a reunion and luncheon honoring the 2000 National Championship Football Team at the Knights of Columbus Hall, Highway 8 W.
Also on the day’s agenda includes a keynote address by alumnus Lane Sorgen as part of the Computer Information Systems’ 1st Annual Computing & Technology Competition and Fair, in Broom 115 at 2:30 p.m.
At noon, most of the day’s activities will shift to Shumate Park. All are encouraged to tailgate and picnic before the football game. Activities are planned for both children and adults, alike.
Renaissance, Delta State’s poplar music ensemble, will perform at 1 p.m., with the Statesmen football squad set to walk through the park just minutes before at 12:45 p.m.
Kick-off is scheduled for 4 p.m. inside Travis E. Parker, as the Statesmen play host to the University of North Alabama in a game that is sure to have playoff implications. The Homecoming Queen will be crowned at halftime of the game.
Homecoming weekend will culminate that evening with a Pan-Hellenic Council Greek Step Show inside the Bologna Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m.
For a more complete listing of the weekend’s schedule, please contact the Alumni Association at (662) 846-4660 or visit the Delta State website at www.deltastate.edu. Click on “Alumni and Guests,” followed by “Alumni Events.”
