An annual rite of fall at colleges and universities across the country is Homecoming, the autumn weekend that sends hundreds of alumni in school colors back to campus to renew acquaintances, cheer on sports teams and see what college is really like these days.
Those opportunities and more await Cornell alumni who return for Homecoming festivities today through Saturday.
"Unlike Reunion, which is held in the summer and focuses on selected class years, Homecoming invites all alumni back and offers them the opportunity to chat with future alums our current students," said Margaret M. Gallo '81, director of reunions and alumni programs. "Homecoming also welcomes back alumni in the fall, which helps rekindle those memories of returning to school as a student."
Throughout the weekend, guided walking tours of the campus will be offered almost hourly during the day, and most schools and colleges will hold open houses or informational forums. Homecoming weekend is also the time when most alumni associations hold their meetings.
Tonight, the Student-Athlete Advisory Council has planned a bonfire and pep rally beginning at 9:30 on Libe Slope.
On Friday, Cornell will induct 13 members into its Athletic Hall of Fame during its 20th annual ceremony at 7:15 p.m. in the Richard Ramin Room of the Field House. The inductees are Charles Berman '49, Rocco Calvo '52, David Doupe '78, David Dresser '60, Lawrence Fullan '72, Holly Gross '81, Lauren Kulik '85, John Meakem Jr. '58, Norman Padula, a longtime grounds staff member, Dale Porter '75, Phillip Ratner '66, George Witherbee 1894 and Norwood Wright '28.
Traditionally, the centerpiece of Homecoming is played out on the gridiron, where this year the Big Red takes on the Colgate Red Raiders. Kickoff is noon Saturday at Schoellkopf Field, and during halftime, the new Hall of Fame inductees will be honored. For ticket information, call 255-7333.
Prior to the game Saturday, alumni and friends are invited to a 10 a.m. pregame rally and tailgate under a tent in the Lynah Rink parking lot with President Hunter Rawlings, Elizabeth Trapnell Rawlings and Athletic Director Charles Moore '51. Also participating will be new and former Hall of Fame members, the Big Red Marching Band and the Big Red cheerleaders. A limited number of tickets ($8) are available at the door.
The social scene immediately following the football game includes an all-alumni gathering with a chance to meet Big Red student-athletes and coaches. The reception will be held from 3 to 4 p.m. in the Hall of Fame Room of Schoellkopf Hall. In addition, a young alumni party in the Lynah Rink parking lot tent and a Big Red Barn bash will take place immediately following the game.
Additional Homecoming highlights:
·a symposium, "It Takes A Village," sponsored by the Cornell Education Society. This informal panel discussion will examine Cornell's emerging involvement in the national move to build linkages among higher education, communities and public schools. The featured presenter is Howie Schaffer '80, a Washington, D.C.-based consultant for community/school linkages. The program begins Saturday at 10 a.m. in 101 Kennedy Hall.
·a book signing at the Campus Store Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., including authors Roald Hoffmann, John McCarthy, Satja Mohanty, Richard Uva and Kristin Esterberg. See the book signings listing under Miscellany in the calendar for details. Later that day, Esterberg, author of Lesbian and Bisexual Identities: Constructing Communities, Constructing Selves, will lecture at 4 p.m. in the Founder's Room of Anabel Taylor Hall.
·the 50th anniversary celebration of Epoch magazine, Cornell's national literary magazine. The celebration, open to the public, will feature poetry and fiction readings by celebrated authors today, Friday and Saturday. (See story.)
·The Glee Club will present its annual Homecoming concert Saturday at 8 p.m. in Sage Chapel. (See story.)
For complete details on Homecoming activities, contact the Office of Alumni Affairs at 255-7085 or visit the Homecoming Web page at http://www.alumni.cornell.edu/news/homecoming.html. The Alumni Affairs office, at 626 Thurston Ave., will be open Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon.