Homecoming week is always an exciting time on campus, but this year it is bound to be extra special, as AU is also kicking off its yearlong centennial celebration. Students, faculty, families and alumni will have no shortage of fun events to take part in all weekend long.
To kick off Homecoming weekend, several distinguished alumni will gather in Reardon Lobby for the Alumni Career Fair. This is an excellent opportunity for students to fellowship with alumni while also building their networks and seeking out potential jobs. Students searching for a summer internship or simply wanting to make some professional connections can greatly benefit from this event.
On Friday, Oct. 7 at 6:30 in the evening, there will be a reception around Helios. Visitors can stop by for snacks and drinks before walking through the valley at dusk to admire the luminaries that students have decorated. Then, they can gather around Helios at 8:30 p.m. to watch AU’s dance ensemble perform.
Palmer, director of student engagement, cites the luminaries as his favorite Homecoming weekend event. “Especially for this year,” Palmer said, “the beginning of our 100th year and a campus and centennial theme of ‘lighting the path.’ I can’t wait to see this time-honored homecoming tradition unfold.”
L’Amifidel will be hosting a cookout in the courtyard of the Bottom of Decker at 7:00 on Friday night. You can join current members and L’Amifidel alumni for a time of food, fellowship and fun.
Continuing the festivities, AU’s Wind and Jazz Ensembles will perform a spirited concert at 7:30 p.m. at Park Place Church of God, accompanied by Valerie Maze, recipient of the Outstanding Music Alumni Award.
The late night events of Friday include RahRah-HaHa, which is a comedic, Homecoming-themed pep rally at 9:00 in Reardon Lobby, and the beloved Oksoberfest at 10:00 p.m. in the Fair Commons Lobby, sponsored by Smith and Myers Halls. This truly classic AU party will include music, dancing and lots of root beer.
On Saturday morning, several social clubs will be hosting breakfasts for current students as well as alumni. The Alacritas breakfast is at 9:00 a.m. in Edwards Dining Room, Camarada and Dativus are co-hosting breakfast at 9:00 in Schield Dining Room and the Avanti Booster Club is celebrating the 80th anniversary of its founding with breakfast at 9:00 in Kane Dining Room.
In addition to the social clubs, several departments are hosting get-togethers for their current students and alumni. The biology, physical science and engineering, psychology, and music, theater and dance departments, as well as the honors college, will all be gathering throughout the weekend.
At 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, rain or shine, University Boulevard will close down for AU’s annual Homecoming street fair. There will be plenty of food, games and fun, including RavenFest at Reunion Park. It is a great opportunity to immerse yourself into the community at AU while supporting and learning more about some of our outstanding organizations and student groups.
AU men’s soccer will take on Hanover College on Saturday at 1:00 p.m., with women’s soccer following against Hanover at 3:30. The highly anticipated Homecoming football game against Bluffton University will take place at Macholtz Stadium at 1:00 p.m.
The Boze Lyric Theater program is presenting “Gypsy: A Musical Fable” on Saturday in Byrum Hall at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. This bright and spirited production is centered around a woman triumphing on her own terms. Tickets can be purchased at the Reardon Box Office.
Encore, one of AU’s most beloved and anticipated events sponsored by the Avanti Booster Club, will take place at 7:00 and 10:00 p.m. on Saturday night in Reardon Auditorium. Tickets for this event are $5 at the door.
On Sunday at 2:00 p.m., the annual Raven Ride, which is sponsored by the Spoke and Wheel bicycle club, will begin at Decker Hall.
“One of the biggest myths on campus is that Homecoming isn’t really for the current student body,” Palmer said. “There is so much to do on campus that engages both our alums and our current campus community. This is the biggest weekend of the year and should be a must-attend Friday and Saturday for our students.”