Bowling Green, Ky. - Western Kentucky University will celebrate “A Century of Spirit” during Homecoming 2006 festivities Oct. 23-29.

“Homecoming. Just hearing the word inspires a plethora of thoughts,” said Donald Smith, executive director of the WKU Alumni Association. “Whether its the laughter, music, and fun on the South Lawn; the peaceful thought of a stroll through campus on a beautiful fall day; the chance to reunite and embellish old stories with friends and professors; or simply the thought of returning to the campus where so many defining moments happened in your life, Homecoming has something for everyone. It’s a special time of year to reconnect alumni with the institution and we are proud to be a part of that excitement.”

Homecoming Week will include numerous events such as reunions of campus groups and organizations; induction ceremonies for the Hall of Distinguished Alumni and Athletic Hall of Fame; a parade and Big Red Street Fest; Big Red’s Roar; a concert by Dierks Bentley; a Department of English celebration; the annual Step Show; and the crowning of the Homecoming Queen at halftime of the WKU vs. Indiana State football game. The complete Homecoming Week schedule is available online at http://www.wkualumni.org/homecoming2006.pdf.

“The 2006 Homecoming is especially important as we celebrate with the theme ‘A Century of Spirit,’” Smith said. “Great institutions are ones defined by rich traditions.   In 1927, Dr. Cherry introduced Homecoming as a fall tradition on the Hill. His open invitation to alumni stated, ‘we want you to come because we need your presence, loyalty, moral and material support in our efforts to advance the institution and to establish in its life a great annual HOMECOMING DAY when we can get together and renew old friendships and exchange experiences.’ The tradition stuck, and now we boast more than a hundred events throughout Homecoming Week with thousands of alumni returning to their alma mater.”

This year’s events kick off on Oct. 24 with the annual tailgate party and bonfire at the WKU-Glasgow campus and conclude on Oct. 29 with the the 10th annual Jim Wayne Miller Celebration of Writing.

“When you find yourself hunting through the house to find your original red towel, craving some bratwursts or burgers from a tailgating grill, reminiscing about your  old college classmates, or just uncontrollably humming the words to ‘Stand Up and Cheer,’ then just let your instincts take over and make your plans to attend Homecoming 2006,” Smith said. “We want you to be part of the excitement and there will definitely be something for everyone.”

Here are some of the Homecoming Week highlights:

Monday, Oct. 23
Homecoming Coloring Contest: Bowling Green and Warren County elementary students participate in this annual contest. Winners will be announced Oct. 27 at the Big Red Street Fest.

Tuesday, Oct. 24
Glasgow Homecoming Tailgate Party: 6:30 p.m. at the WKU-Glasgow Campus. Featuring Coach David Elson, WKU cheerleaders and more.

Wednesday, Oct. 25
Office Decorating Contest: WKU faculty, staff, and students can build their own Homecoming memories by decorating their campus office. Prizes will be awarded for the best decorated departmental office.

Thursday, Oct. 26
Chili and Cheese Luncheon and Pep Rally: 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at First Christian Church of Bowling Green. Tickets are $5.

Eighth Annual Summit Awards: 5:30 p.m. at Knicely Conference Center, WKU South Campus. WKU honors its outstanding volunteers.

L.Y. Lancaster- Hugh Puckett Lecture Series: 6 p.m. at Mass Media and Technology Hall Auditorium. Featured speaker is Dr. Fred Roisen, a noted stem cell researcher from the University of Louisville.
Homecoming concert: 8 p.m. at Diddle Arena. Featuring Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert and Randy Rogers Band. Tickets are $23 for WKU students; $33 for non-students.

Friday, Oct. 27
Hall of Distinguished Alumni Luncheon and Induction Ceremony: 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at Sloan Convention Center. Inductees are jazz pianist Beegie Adair, surgeon Dr. Richard Finley Grise and fighter pilot and commander of the Blue Angels John Magda. Tickets are $25 each and $350 for a corporate table. (More information on the inductees is available online at http://www.wku.edu/news/releases06/july/hoda.html)

Homecoming Parade: 5:30 p.m. Parade begins near the Hardin Planetarium and proceeds down Normal Drive.
Big Red Street Fest: 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. at Downing University Center South Lawn. Sponsored by Citizens First Bank.

Homecoming Comedy Show: 8 p.m. at Downing University Center Theatre.
Big Red’s Roar: 8:30 p.m. at Fine Arts Center Colonnade. Featuring Coach David Elson, the 2006 WKU football team, Big Red, the Big Red Marching Band, cheerleaders, Topperettes and queen candidates.

Saturday, Oct. 28
Reunions: Several campus organizations, clubs and departments will meet for Homecoming reunion activities and will have reunion tents set up at Festival of Friends. (A list is available online at http://www.wkualumni.org/homecoming2006.pdf).

Centennial exhibit: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Kentucky Library and Museum.
55th Annual Student Publications Breakfast: 9 a.m. at Mass Media and Technology Hall Atrium. Groundbreaking for a new Publications building will follow.

Department of English Homecoming celebration: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Cherry Hall and Faculty House. Featuring a tree dedication honoring Dr. Willson E. Wood, former head of the English Department.
“WKU: The First 100 Years” book signing: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Downing University Center.

Alumni W-Club Athletic Hall of Fame and Brunch: 10 a.m. at Diddle Arena’s Hall of Champions. Inductees are Breeda Dennehy Willis (track and cross country), Ashley Johnson (track and cross country) and Craig McCormick (basketball). Tickets are $15. (More information on the inductees is available online at http://www.wkusports.com/news.cgi?article=4757)

Festival of Friends: 1 p.m.-3 p.m. at Downing University Center South Lawn. Various departments and campus organizations will have reunion tents set up. The Muckrakers will provide musical entertainment.

WKU vs. Indiana State. 4 p.m. at Smith Stadium. The 2006 Homecoming Queen will be crowned at halftime.
Step Show. 8 p.m. at Diddle Arena. Sponsored by the National Pan-Hellenic Council. Tickets are $10 in advance; $12 at the door. Proceeds benefit the National Pan-Hellenic Council Scholarship Fund which awards book scholarships to WKU students.

Alumni Dance: 10 p.m.-2 a.m. at Knicely Conference Center, WKU South Campus. Sponsored by the Society of African American Alumni.

Sunday, Oct. 29
10th Annual Jim Wayne Miller Celebration of Writing: 2 p.m. at Garrett Conference Center Auditorium. Featuring Dr. Pat Carr reading from her new novel.

More WKU news is available at www.wku.edu. If you’d like to receive WKU news via e-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu.

For information, contact Alumni Relations at (270) 745-4395.

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