Parades, football, reunions, tricycle races, theater, music and lots of food — there’s something for everyone during the 2016 ESU Homecoming celebration, which kicks off Tuesday.
Beginning Oct. 13, special events are planned for current students plus special alumni, including the Class of 1966, Chi Omega sisters celebrating their chapter’s 55th anniversary, Department of Nursing alumni, track and cross-country alumni.
The 2016 Homecoming musical, “Big River, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 13 through 15 with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, Oct. 16. Propelled by an award winning score from Roger Miller, Mark Twain’s timeless classic sweeps us down the mighty Mississippi as Huck Finn helps his friend Jim, a slave, escape to freedom at the mouth of the Ohio River. Their adventures bring to life favorite characters from the novel including the Widow Douglas; the uproarious King and Duke; Huck’s pal, Tom Sawyer, and their rowdy gang; Huck’s drunken father, the sinister Pap Finn; the lovely Mary Jane Wilkes and her trusting family.
All shows will be in Bruder Theatre inside King Hall. Proceeds from the show support student scholarships. For tickets and additional information, call the university ticket office at 620-341-6378.
Other events to celebrate Homecoming include:
Wednesday, Oct. 12
Students and faculty will enjoy competition during the annual Tricycle Races at 7 p.m. in Kellogg Circle. Cost is $20 to enter. Teams can enter the tricycle races by calling 620-341-6468.
Thursday, Oct. 13
ESU alumnus John Stibal presents the 2016 Sam E. & Jeannene Hayes Lecture at 7 p.m. in Webb Hall. Stibal, who graduated in 1982 with a bachelor of science in business, is regional vice president of sales and client management for the northeast region of Unum. Stibal also is an alumnus of the Blue Key Honor Society. As part of the Hayes Lecture, current students can enter the Doug and Nan Smith Outstanding Student Scholarship essay competition.
Friday, Oct. 14
The Phi Delta Theta Pole Sit begins at 6 a.m. at the entrance to Kellogg Circle. Fraternity members run the event continuously until noon Saturday and collect donations for Emporia’s S.O.S. organization.
The third annual Kansas State Teacher’s College (KSTC) Luncheon is inside the Memorial Union’s KSTC Ballroom. Friday morning’s festivities begin with the reception at 11:30 a.m., followed by a luncheon at noon. This year’s luncheon features the KSTC’s Class of 1966 and other guests. Reservations for lunch are required.
Other Class of 1966 special activities include a campus tour at 1:30 p.m. and reception at 2:30 p.m.
The Zola Witten Track will be rededicated at 2 p.m. Other activities at the celebration include a ceremonial walk/run around the track at 2:30 p.m., a group photo on the track at 2:45 p.m., tour of the newly renovated HPER building at 3 p.m. and a demonstration by the current track team at 3:45 p.m.
At 5:30 p.m. the Black and Gold Gala begins with social time in Memorial Union’s Webb Lounge, and dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. in Webb Hall. The event celebrates Hornet National with cocktails, dinner and entertainment and honors the 2016 Outstanding Recent Graduates — Jason Baker (business), Lindesey Razafsky (elementary education) and Yaokun “Angel” Yang (music) — and Distinguished Alumni — Dr. Ronald “Ron” H. Fredrickson, Shirley Johannsen, Herman Jones, Mike Law and Steve Sauder — while recognizing members of the Kellogg Society, President’s Club and Black and Gold Circle. Reservations required.
Track and cross-country alumni will enjoy the Track Reunion and Panel in KSTC Ballroom at 6:30 p.m. The panel includes Steve Hawkins '83, '85; Former Coach Phil Delavan; Val Schierling '68, '73, '77; Mark Majors '92; Coach Steve Blocker; and Mark Stanbrough '77, '79.
Department of Nursing alumni have their own social hour from 7 to 9 p.m. at the BrickYard 20 Ale House, 402 Merchant St. The event includes a free will contribution to scholarships.
The Dugout, 519 E. 12th Ave., is the site of the Chi Omega Social Hour at 7 p.m.
And the evening concludes with the Homecoming Bonfire sponsored by the student Homecoming committee at 8 p.m. in Wilson Park.
Saturday, Oct. 15
A busy Homecoming Day kicks off early with the Athletic Hall of Honor breakfast from 8 to 10 a.m. in Webb Hall. The 2016 inductees are George Breidenthal, Honorary Member; Bill Cinelli, Football 1971-74; Fred McClain, Football 1968-70; Steve Michael, Baseball 1987; Gabe Medina, Baseball 2005-06; Melissa Stevens, Softball 2003-06; and the 1999-2000 Women's Basketball Team. Reservations required.
At 9 a.m., Chi Omega sorority will be open for house tours, 1519 Merchant St.; Blue Key Honor Society alumni will enjoy breakfast in the MU Blue Key Room; the Alumni Coffee/Kaffee Klatch will begin on Main Street in the Memorial Union; and Sigma Sigma Sigma alumni will enjoy coffee and pastries at the house, 418 W. 12th Ave. Registration required for all events.
A rededication of Sauder Alumni Center, 1500 Highland St., will mark the center’s 25-year anniversary at 10 a.m. Also at 10, nursing alumni will spend a Morning at the Zoo, and Phi Sigma Kappa will have its annual meeting.
At 11:30 it’s parade time as the Emporia Marching Hornets, cheer squad and Corky lead dignitaries and floats up Commercial Street from Fourth Avenue to 12th Avenue.
Beginning at noon, lunch choices include the Sigma Tau Gamma luncheon at 1309 Sylvan, The Teachers College Party on the Patio on the east side of Visser Hall and the Watering Hole Pre-Game Tailgate north of Visser.
Kick-off for the Homecoming Game between ESU Football and LIndenwood is at 2 p.m. in Welch Stadium.
The day concludes with two receptions. A Post-Game Happy Hour for the Nu Zeta Chapter of Chi Omega’s 55th anniversary is from 5 to 8 p.m. in the KSTC Ballroom in the Memorial Union. Reservations required. The Tri-Sigs will have a reception for alumni at the house, 418 W. 12th Ave., from 6 to 8 p.m.
For more information about individual events, to register or to make reservations, go online to www.emporia.edu/homecoming.