Homecoming 2014, slated for Friday, Oct. 17 through Sunday, Oct. 19, marks the official opening and dedication of Fredonia’s newest building – the Science Center! There will be a full day of events on Friday beginning at 11 a.m. Capping the day will be a special fireworks display at 7:15 p.m. outside of the Williams Center. A special Science Alumni Conference has been planned for Saturday.
Many other wonderful events are planned on Saturday, including the Ruterbusch 5K Run (in memory of Fred Ruterbusch, ’77), spectacular concerts, a self-guided tour of President Virginia Horvath’s home, athletic contests and reunion luncheons for the classes of 1954 and 1964. The Alumni Office is sponsoring the first-ever Fredonia Family Legacy Lunch outside in the Rockefeller Arts Center arcade at noon. The event is an opportunity for generations of Fredonia graduates, and/or any children and grandchildren of alumni currently enrolled, to share happy memories.
Many wonderful athletic contests are scheduled. On Friday at 9 p.m., the student group, House of HOOPS, will sponsor “Midnight Madness” for students, alumni and the community in Steele Hall, which is free to students. On Saturday, the Ruterbusch 5K is at 10 a.m. at the Steele Hall indoor track. Also at 10 a.m., the men’s alumni soccer game will be held. The Men’s Soccer Team will play Potsdam at 1 p.m.
There are several free musical performances slated for Homecoming. The Fredonia Reunion Jazz Ensemble will perform on Friday at 8 p.m. in Rosch Recital Hall. A Choral Showcase of student talent is slated for Saturday at 4 p.m. in Rosch Recital Hall, and at 8 p.m., the College Symphony Orchestra will perform in King Concert Hall. Also at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, in Marvel Theatre, there will be performances of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
Some alumni may be inclined to participate in a little performing! At 1 p.m. on Saturday, the Folk Music Weekend/Geosciences Reunion will commence at the College Lodge in Brocton. “Jamming and Jabbering” will include snacks, listening and/or playing music, and just great fun. Join former Geosciences faculty member and chair, Dr. Richard Gilman, his wife, Carmen, and numerous others for an afternoon and evening that will include a 6 p.m. buffet supper and 8 p.m. square dance.
Fredonia’s Department of Athletics will induct five new members into its Hall of Fame on Saturday. The program will begin at 6 p.m. (cash bar cocktails) and continue with dinner and the program at 7 p.m. in the Cranston Marché at University Commons. The induction class of 2014 includes Danielle Bleecker, ’08 (Women’s Soccer); Matthew Clark, ’06 (Baseball); Heather (Martin) McIntosh, ’05 (Women’s Volleyball); Heather Mercer, ’04 (Women’s Softball); and Eric Preston, ’97 (Men’s Hockey).
The classes of 1954, 1964 and 2004 will celebrate anniversaries with special events. For all of the other honored classes – the classes of 1959, 1969, 1974, 1979, 1984, 1989, 1994, 1999, and 2009, there will be an Honored Class Multi-Reception held in the Williams Center Tim Horton’s area from 4 to 6 p.m. on Saturday. The charge per person is $5 and includes light refreshments, prizes and a cash beer/wine bar. Specific downtown establishments will be designated for further opportunities in which to gather later in the evening. Location assignments will be available at the Homecoming Registration Table.
There will also be a reception/networking opportunity on Saturday at 3 p.m. in the Pucci Room in the Williams Center for alumni who graduated from College Student Personnel and Higher Education advanced degree programs. All proceeds from the event (charge is $5/person) will go to assist current students with graduate school application fees (for these same disciplines).
Interested persons can check out the entire Homecoming schedule and registration information online and in the Fredonia Statement. Registration for events is online by contacting the Office of Alumni Affairs, 286 Central Ave., Fredonia, NY 14063, via email at Alumni.Office@fredonia.edu or by calling the Alumni Affairs Office at 716-673-3553.
