Homecoming at Fredonia on Oct. 19 through 21 marks the 50th anniversary of the Class of 1968, the 20th anniversary of the combined Department of Theatre and Dance and the 60th anniversary of the passing of Dr. Georgiana von Tornow. Dr. von Tornow is recognized for her significant contributions in developing Fredonia’s Theatre program.
Fredonia will also welcome two-time Oscar, Emmy, and Golden Globe-nominated actress Mary McDonnell, Fredonia Class of '74, back to campus. She will join Department of Theatre and Dance Associate Professor Jessica Hillman-McCord at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 20, in Marvel Theatre for “An Afternoon with Mary McDonnell,” in what promises to be a lively and informal conversation about the actress’ life and career on the Broadway stage, in film and in television. Ms. McDonnell will also take questions from the audience. All proceeds from the event will be directed to the Department of Theatre and Dance Emergent Student Needs Fund in the Fredonia College Foundation. Tickets, available at the Fredonia Ticket Office in the Williams Center, are $5 for Fredonia students, $20 for the general public and $40 for a VIP ticket which includes a private reception with McDonnell at 1:30 p.m.
The College of Education and Fredonia Radio Systems will celebrate significant anniversaries at Homecoming, and a new class will be inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame. Honored classes will be recognized, especially the classes of 1953, 1958 and 1963.
Dr. Jonathan Green, ’85, (pictured left, Music Performance) and Dianne Kricheldorf, ’54, (pictured right, Elementary Education) will be honored with the Fredonia Alumni Association’s Outstanding Achievement and Meritorious Service awards, respectively, at the Homecoming Dinner on Friday, Oct. 19.
Also on Friday, there will be a special Golden Alumni Luncheon for all alumni from the Class of 1968 and before. The Department of Biology will host keynote speakers Deborah (Ellwanger) Bruner, ’85, and Mark Bruner, ’85, on Friday afternoon and, will sponsor a breakfast on Saturday morning. The College of Education will commemorate the 25th anniversary of the UK Exchange (Swansea, Exmouth, Plymouth) program on Friday.
After the evening dinner on Friday, there is a student performance of “Noises Off,” in Marvel Theatre, and a special free Homecoming Jazz Concert featuring alumna Tony Caramia, ’73, and the Fredonia Jazz Faculty in Rosch Recital Hall at 8 p.m.
On Saturday, alumni and friends will be able to attend the third annual Mini Maker Faire, the Ruterbusch 5K Run (in memory of Fred Ruterbusch, ’77), a spectacular College Symphony Orchestra concert, the Fredonia Radio Systems’ anniversary celebration, great athletic contests and a host of other special events.
An Alumni Health Panel featuring David DiPalma, ’13, (a University of Rochester dental resident); Zachary Eklum, ’17 (in his second year at SUNY Upstate Medical), Dr. Leah Kerns Webb, ’12 (a veterinarian); Laura Paradisi, ’13 (a physician assistant); and Dr. Jenny Shen, ’04, (a physician) will also be held on Saturday morning. There will be Dance Team workshops on Saturday, along with a Black Student Union Reunion and a School of Business Alumni Reception.
The Mini Maker Faire, to be held in the Williams Center and Science Center on Saturday, will celebrate creativity, invention, and the do-it-yourself (DIY) spirit. There will be a diverse mix of makers, ranging from tech enthusiasts to crafters, homesteaders to scientists, and garage tinkerers to kids who design and build interesting items. Admission is free.
Fredonia Radio Systems (FRS) will be celebrating its 70th anniversary as a club and its 40th as a FM station. A birthday celebration is planned for Saturday, Oct. 20, at the station. Capping the events will be a folk concert by Professor Emeritus Dan Berggren at the 1891 Fredonia Opera House on Saturday evening. All proceeds from this benefit concert will support the Excellence in Audio and Radio Scholarship.
The Ruterbusch 5K will commence at 9 a.m. at the Steele Hall Indoor Track. The traditional Men’s Alumni Soccer game will be held at 10 a.m. At 1 p.m. the Men’s Soccer Team plays SUNY Plattsburgh and, at 2 p.m., the Women’s Varsity Basketball Team has scheduled an alumnae game in the Steele Hall Fieldhouse. Inductees this year to the Athletic Hall of Fame are Sarah Ficarro, ’13 (swimming and diving); Nicholas Guarino, ’11 (cross country and track); Sarah Hite-Moore, ’05 (track and field); Jordan Oye, ’11 (hockey) and Reilly (Condidorio) Schwenebraten, ’12 (soccer). The new Blue Devils Performance Center in the lower level of Dods Hall will be dedicated Friday, Oct. 19 at 1 p.m.
Special exhibits not to be missed are the Freedonia Marxonia exhibit in Reed Library and an exhibit of the work of Professor Emeritus Marv Bjurlin, “A Potter’s Path,” in the Cathy and Jesse Marion Art Gallery. The classes of 1998 and 2008 will celebrate anniversaries with other specially designated events.
For complete information, go to https://events.fredonia.edu/event/homecoming_weekend#.W6v40hBReUk
