'Big Red's Haunted Hill' Theme
For WKU Homecoming
October 13, 2003
Bowling Green, Ky. - Thousands of Western Kentucky University alumni will return to "Big Red's Haunted Hill" for Homecoming Week Oct. 27-Nov. 2.
"Homecoming is Western's largest reunion weekend of the year. We typically see 20,000 to 30,000 alumni and friends of the university return to campus during Homecoming Weekend," said Homecoming co-chair Ginny Hensley, assistant director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving.
"The goal of the Alumni Association is to keep alumni returning to campus for Homecoming each year. With nearly 100 Homecoming events planned, we hope there's something special for everyone," Hensley said.
Among the special events are inductions for the Hall of Distinguished Alumni and the Athletic Hall of Fame, several other award presentations, reunions for numerous campus groups and the crowning of Homecoming queen.
While the football game and other traditional events are scheduled for Nov. 1, several other activities are planned for Halloween.
"We're especially excited that Halloween falls during Homecoming Week this year," Hensley said. "We hope to see lots of little ghosts and goblins trick or treating on campus at Big Red Street Fest on Friday evening."
During the Street Fest, campus and community organizations will offer trick or treating under the tents on the Downing University Center south lawn at 6:30 p.m. following the Homecoming Parade. The parade begins at 5:30 p.m. on Big Red Way.
Other "Haunted Hill" activities on Halloween evening include Big Red's Roar at the Colonnade and two campus ghost tours that begin at Van Meter Hall.
On Nov. 1, Homecoming events include reunions, the Festival of Friends and the defending national champion Toppers facing Southern Illinois. The football game will feature the crowning of the Homecoming queen and Grammy-winning vocalist and WKU alumnus Larnelle Harris singing the national anthem.
Homecoming Week concludes Nov. 2 with a worship service; the annual Jim Wayne Miller Celebration of Writing; and a choir and symphonic band concert.
The Homecoming schedule is available online at http://www.wkualumni.org/hc.cfm For more about Homecoming activities, contact the WKU Alumni Association at (270) 745-4395 or 1-888-WKU-ALUM.
Here are some highlights of "Big Red's Haunted Hill":
Tuesday, Oct. 28
6 p.m., Glasgow Homecoming Tailgating Party, Glasgow Regional Center. President Gary Ransdell and football coach David Elson join the Glasgow community to kick off Homecoming Week.
Wednesday, Oct. 29
Campus Costume Party for faculty, staff and students.
Thursday, Oct. 30
11 a.m., Chili and Cheese Luncheon and Pep Rally, State Street Presbyterian Church.
6 p.m., Fifth Annual Summit Awards, WKU South Campus. Western honors its outstanding volunteers.
Friday, Oct. 31
11:30 a.m., Hall of Distinguished Alumni Luncheon and Induction Ceremony, Sloan Convention Center. Inductees are Longtime football coach Jimmy Feix, former journalism department head David B. Whitaker and cancer researcher Dr. Dorris Hutchison.
5:30 p.m., Homecoming Parade, Big Red Way.
6:30 p.m., Wachovia Securities Big Red Street Fest, Football Practice Field and Downing University Center South Lawn.
5 p.m., Seventh Annual School of Journalism and Broadcasting Awards Dinner, Mass Media and Technology Hall.
7 p.m., Masquerade Ball and Fund Raiser, celebrating 30 years of the Public Relations program, Mass Media and Technology Hall.
8 p.m., Big Reds Roar, Colonnade.
10 p.m. and 11:30 p.m., WKU Ghost Tour, beginning at Van Meter Hall. Learn the true meaning of "Big Red's Haunted Hill" in a one-hour tour.
Saturday, Nov. 1
9 a.m., The Hilltoppers - Featuring Jimmy Sacca, Gallery C of the Kentucky Museum. Sacca will be signing a new CD "The Hilltoppers Featuring Jimmy Sacca - Golden Memories The Ultimate Collection."
11 a.m., Alumni W-Club Athletic Hall of Fame and Brunch, WKU South Campus. This year's inductees are football player Pete Walters and track star Gayle Harris Watkins.
1 p.m., Festival of Friends, Downing University Center South Lawn.
4 p.m., Hilltoppers vs. Southern Illinois, L.T. Smith Stadium. Larnelle Harris will sing the national anthem. The Homecoming Queen will be crowned at halftime.
8 p.m., Step Show, Diddle Arena.
10 p.m., Alumni Dance, sponsored by the Society of African American Alumni, Ramada Inn.
Groups with reunions or gatherings include College Heights Herald, Gordon Ford College of Business, Department of Consumer and Family Sciences, Department of Agriculture, Department of Communication, Department of Geography and Geology, Department of Music, ROTC, Society of African American Alumni, Alumni Leaders Scholars, GLBT Outlet, Sigma Chi fraternity, Phi Delta Theta fraternity, Phi Mu sorority, Kappa Delta sorority, Alpha Delta Pi sorority, Sigma Kappa sorority, Hilltopper and Lady Topper basketball, advertising alumni and broadcasting alumni.
Sunday, Nov. 2
11 a.m., Homecoming Worship Service featuring Larnelle Harris, Van Meter Auditorium.
2 p.m., Seventh Annual Jim Wayne Miller Celebration of Writing, featuring poetry reading by Frank and Peg Steele, Garrett Conference Center Auditorium. Winners of the Jim Wayne Miller poetry-writing contest will be announced.
3 p.m., WKU Choir and Symphonic Band Concert, Van Meter Auditorium.
For more information, contact Alumni Relations at (270) 745-4395. More WKU news is available on the World Wide Web at www.wku.edu. If you'd like to receive WKU news via E-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu.
