Big Red Tops 2008 Ballot For WKU Homecoming Oct. 27 - Nov.2

October 09, 2008

Bowling Green, Ky. - In the midst of another campaign season filled with name calling and mudslinging, one candidate is letting actions speak louder than words. That candidate is Big Red.

His supporters will be out in force from Oct. 27 to Nov. 2 pushing their campaign theme of “Vote Big Red for President!” as Western Kentucky University celebrates Homecoming 2008.

In what may be the most entertaining debate of the election season, Big Red will face a Dragon, a Gator and a North Texas Eagle in the Presidential Mascot Debate on Homecoming morning Nov. 1.

“Big Red may not talk, but he has strong values,” said Ginny Hensley, director of Alumni Programming. “Big Red is the most experienced candidate and his personality always wins over the crowd. Plus, he’s obviously much cuter than the North Texas Eagle.”

Hensley and others in Big Red’s campaign staff are expecting another large turnout for WKU’s Homecoming.
“Our campus is growing, our student body is growing, and the WKU Spirit is alive and well,” she said. “Our university is worthy of celebration all year, but Homecoming is a special time when all alumni and friends can celebrate WKU as a family.”

In addition to the election theme, Homecoming activities will have some Halloween extras especially for the events on Friday night, Oct. 31. Those activities include the Homecoming parade, Big Red Street Fest, Big Red’s Roar and a Hilltopper basketball exhibition game.

“The Citizens First Big Red Street Fest will be a little spooky this year, since festivities occur on Halloween,” Hensley said. “We encourage parents to spend their Halloween night on campus, enjoy the parade and then join the celebration at Street Fest.  Housing and Residence Life will offer trick or treating and children are invited to enter the Halloween Costume Contest. The winner will be introduced during the Hilltopper basketball game.”

Homecoming Week will include numerous other events such as the Glasgow Halloween Homecoming Tailgate Party; Haunted Hill Tours; a concert by Jason Aldean; induction ceremonies for the Hall of Distinguished Alumni and Athletic Hall of Fame; reunions of campus groups and organizations; the annual Step Show; and the crowning of the Homecoming Queen at halftime of the WKU vs. North Texas football game.

The complete Homecoming schedule is available on the WKU Alumni Association’s website at http://alumni.wku.edu/, but here are some of the highlights:

Monday, Oct. 27
Homecoming Coloring Contest: Big Red is on the campaign trail visiting Bowling Green and Warren County schools with information on the coloring contest.

Homecoming Blood Drive: Noon to 6 p.m. at Garrett Conference Center Ballroom. The blood drive will continue Tuesday and Wednesday.

Tuesday, Oct. 28
Glasgow Halloween Homecoming Tailgate Party and Bonfire. 6 p.m. at Glasgow High School.

WKU’s Haunted Hill Tours. 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Ivan Wilson Fine Arts Center Amphitheatre. The half-hour tours will tell the ghost stories of the haunted buildings on campus and celebrate the 30th anniversary of WKU alum John Carpenter’s “Halloween.”

Thursday, Oct. 30
Chili and Cheese Luncheon and Pep Rally. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at First Christian Church. Tickets are $5 each. Proceeds benefit Junior Achievement of South Central Kentucky.

10th Annual Summit Awards. 6 p.m. at Knicely Conference Center, WKU South Campus. WKU honors its outstanding volunteers at this recognition and awards ceremony.

Bowling Green Western Symphony Orchestra concert. 7:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church. The accomplished alumni concert will featuring the following WKU alumni Timothy Simpson, tenor; David Paul Gibson, composer; Kevin Lanham, narrator.

2008 Homecoming Concert featuring Jason Aldean. 7:30 p.m. at Diddle Arena. For tickets, call the WKU Ticket Office at (270) 745-5222.

Friday, Oct. 31
Hall of Distinguished Alumni Luncheon and Induction Ceremony. 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Sloan Convention Center. The 2008 inductees are Dr. Sharron Francis, Jimmie Gipson and Bill Strode.

Society of African American Alumni Happy Hour. 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Faculty House. The event will include a special recognition for members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in celebration of 40 years on campus and 100 years internationally.

Citizens First Homecoming Parade. 5 p.m. along College Heights Boulevard and Avenue of Champions.
Citizens First Big Red Street Fest. 6 p.m. at Diddle Arena Auxiliary Gym. This free event for families will include a Halloween costume contest.

Big Red’s Roar. 7 p.m. at Ivan Wilson Fine Arts Center Amphitheatre. The annual Homecoming pep rally will include Coach David Elson, the 2008 WKU football team, Big Red and the Homecoming Queen candidates.

Hilltopper Basketball vs. LCC International University (exhibition). 7 p.m. at Diddle Arena. The Toppers begin the 2008-09 season with new coach Ken McDonald.

Saturday, Nov. 1
Homecoming Day will feature numerous reunions for departments, student organizations and other groups, including the 1952 Refrigerator Bowl team.

Presidential Mascot Debate and Brunch. 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Knicely Conference Center, WKU South Campus. Watch Big Red debate a Dragon, a Gator and a North Texas Eagle.

Alumni W-Club Athletic Hall of Fame and Brunch. 9:30 a.m. at Diddle Arena. The 2008 inductees are Don Durham (baseball), Jack Harbaugh (football coach), Rick Kral (swimming) and Paul Sanderford (basketball coach).

Festival of Friends. 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Downing University Center South Lawn and various locations. Join friends, alumni and campus groups in tailgating activities.

WKU football vs. North Texas. 3:30 p.m. at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium. The game will include the crowning of the 2008 Homecoming Queen. For game tickets, call the WKU Ticket Office at 1-800-5BIGRED.
Annual NPHC Step Show. 8 p.m. at Diddle Arena.

Sunday, Nov. 2
12th Annual Jim Wayne Miller Celebration of Writing. 2 p.m. at Garrett Conference Center Auditorium. This year’s event will feature Robert Morgan, author of “Gap Creek” and the award-winning “Boone: A Biography.”
               
More WKU news is available at www.wku.edu and at http://wkunews.wordpress.com/. If you’d like to receive WKU news via e-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu.

For information, contact Ginny Hensley at (270) 745-4395.