50th Anniversary Homecoming Features Many Events
Published Monday, September 18, 2017
A very special 50th anniversary Homecoming at Southwest Minnesota State University will be held on the weekend of Sept. 29-Oct. 1, with a theme of “Forever Brown & Gold.”
A number of events are planned throughout the week, starting on Monday, Sept. 25 with Founders Day. A Mustang family photo will be taken at 12:30 p.m. on the Alumni Plaza, to be followed by a cupcake reception and the 50th Anniversary Charter signing. The charter will be available for signing throughout the week at the Student Center Information Desk.
Many student-centered events are held during the week, including the Chartwells Stampede Feed on Sept. 25; Candidate’s Night, featuring hypnotist Chris Jones on Sept. 26; Mustangs Got Talent on Sept. 27; and Coronation and Take 2 Improv on Sept. 28.
The SMSU Planetarium has two shows planned, a Music Laser Light Show on Sept. 29, and a Planetarium Star Show on Sept. 30.
The Alumni Awards Luncheon will be held at noon on Sept. 29. This year’s honorees include: Ryan Ross, ’08, GOLD Award, professional freelance opera singer; Emily Deaver, Honorary Lifetime Member Award, Environmental Science Professor; Craig Porter, ’79, Alumni Achievement Award, owner of PlastiCert, a maker of specialty plastic mold components in Lewiston, Minn.; Curtis Weber, ’80, Alumni Achievement Award, owner of Midwest Machinery (a group of John Deere dealerships), Glenwood, Minn.; and Sheila Anderson, ’95, Alumni Achievement Award, Chief Financial Officer for Daktronics, Brookings, S.D.
The annual University Gala will take place on Sept. 29. Over $800,000 in student scholarships has been raised to date at this event, and organizers are hoping to exceed the record of 350 attendees this year.
There will be many athletic events on Homecoming weekend. The Mustang volleyball team, ranked No. 1 in the country, will host St. Cloud State on Sept. 29, and Minnesota-Duluth on Sept. 30. The football Homecoming game begins at 5 p.m. Sept. 30 against the University of Sioux Falls.
The Lions Club Pancake Feed will kick off Homecoming Day on Sept. 30. The Veterans Club will host the Legacy Homecoming Run at 8 a.m. that morning, with registration at 7:30 a.m.
The annual Homecoming parade will run its usual route down Main Street starting at 11 a.m. on Sept. 30. The Women’s Tea will be held at 1 p.m.
The All-Southwest Reunion will be held from 6-10 p.m. at the Red Baron Arena, across Highway 23 from the university, near Marshall High School, on Sept. 30. Alumni, those who attended the university, friends of the university, faculty, staff and community members are invited to attend this event and connect with old friends. The Alumni Office continues to receive confirmations of individuals and groups who will be attending this event. Free taxi service will be offered attendees.
An Alumni Brunch will be held Sunday, Oct. 1.
Rounding out the weekend will be the Southwest Minnesota Orchestra concert at 2 p.m., “An All-American Celebration — SMSU at 50,” featuring alumnus Ryan Ross, a professional opera singer living in Wales. The concert features the music of Aaron Copland, Robert Whitcomb, Peter Lothringer and John Williams. Also featured will be the SMSU Chorale.
Tours of the university will be offered to those who wish to see first-hand the many changes to the campus layout over the years. Tours will be available on Sept. 29 and 30.
A complete list of events:
Monday, September 18
Noon
SMSU Faculty/Staff Alumni Luncheon
Conference Center Upper Ballroom
Monday, September 25
12:30 pm
Founders Day Celebration
All University photo and birthday cake
Alumni Plaza
3:00 pm
Learn how to play Cricket, Central Field
5-7 p.m.
Stampede Feed, sponsored by Chartwells, Alumni Plaza
Tuesday, September 26
King & Queen Voting opens
3:30 p.m.
RHA Olympics, Central Field
9:00 p.m.
Candidates Night; Hypnotist Chris Jones, PE Gym
Wednesday, September 27
11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Mustangs Got Talent! (Tryouts)
Conference Center Upper Ballroom
7:00 pm
Mustangs Got Talent!
Conference Center Upper Ballroom
Thursday, September 28
9:00 a.m. – noon
Residence Hall Spirit Decorating Judging
Office and Door Decorating Judging
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
VIP night at the Campus Book Store
Student Center Book Store
7:00 p.m.
Coronation
Conference Center Lower Ballroom
8:30 p.m.
Take 2 Improv
Black Box Theater
Friday September 29
Brown and Gold Spirit Day
9:00 a.m.
Foundation Board Meeting
Conference Center Lower Ballroom
10:00 a.m.
Mustang Mentorship Program Social
Civic Engagement Office
12:00 p.m.
Alumni Awards Luncheon
Conference Center Upper Ballroom
2:30 p.m.
Alumni Board Meeting
Student Center
3:00 p.m.
University Tours
Founders Hall Lobby
6:00 p.m.
University Gala
R/A Facility
6:00 p.m.
SMSU Volleyball vs. St. Cloud State University
PE Gym
8:00 p.m.
Planetarium Music Laser Light Show
SM 108
Saturday, September 30
Homecoming Day!
7:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
Lions Club Pancake Feed
Fire Hall
Legacy Homecoming Run 5K/10K
7:30 a.m. - Registration
8:00 a.m. - Race begins
Sponsored by the Veterans Club
Social Science Parking Lot
10:00 am
Parade Line-up
Lyon/Jewett Streets Checkpoint
10:45 a.m.
Alumni Parade Hospitality Tent
Featuring Breakfast Paninos
Memorial Park, Corner of Main Street and E. College Dr.
11:00 a.m.
Homecoming Parade
Lyon Street to Main Street to 5th Street
1:00 p.m.
Residence Life Hospitality Room opens
Upper Conference Center
Sponsored by PlastiCert
1:00 p.m.
Women's Tea
Sponsored by the SMSU Feminists Club & Women's Studies Faculty Committee
Student Center - Women's Center Lobby
2:00 pm
Star show - Discover the Stars
SMSU Planetarium - SM 108
2:00 p.m.
SMSU Volleyball vs. Minnesota Duluth
PE Gym
2:30 p.m.
University Tours
Founders Hall
3-5 p.m.
Homecoming Tailgate
Family Fun Fest
Food, Beverage Garden & Entertainment
RA Parking Lot
5:00 p.m.
SMSU Football vs. University of Sioux Falls
The Schwan Regional Event Center
6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
All-Southwest Reunion
Red Baron Arena
Sunday, October 1
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Alumni Brunch
Campus Restaurant
10:30 a.m.
University Tours
Founders Hall
2:00 p.m.
Southwest Minnesota Orchestra Concert
Featuring Ryan Hugh Ross '08
Schwan Community Center for the Performing Arts (Marshall High School)
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