Katherine Daniel, Editor in Chief~
Homecoming 2018 at the University of Lynchburg will be held this weekend on October 19-20, 2018. The weekend is packed with a range of events for family, friends, faculty, and staff.
Director of Alumni Relations, Heather Garnett, said, “Homecoming is important on a number of different levels. One, we want to be certain that students, faculty, and staff feel engaged in a fun weekend. From an Alumna perspective, it provides an opportunity for them to reconnect with classmates, see campus, and reminisce with former faculty, staff, and meet students. Coming home is something that all alumni look forward to.”
Garnett added, “We want everyone to feel included and welcome to our homecoming events on campus. It is important because we want students to know that they can come to the events, even if they do not know many people there.”
Homecoming events kick off on Friday, October 19, 2018, starting at 3:00-5:00 p.m. for students with Alumni panels for majors and the Hornet to Hornet event. At 5:30 P.M., there will be a reception for award recipients, faculty, staff, and alumni. An Alumni Awards Dinner will be located in Burton Dining Hall at 6:30 P.M. The cost for the Alumni Awards Dinner will be $30.00 per person. Dress attire is coat and tie for men and dress/pantsuit for women.
The theatre production of Peter and the Starcatcher will be from 7:30 P.M.-10:00 P.M. and is located in the Dillard Theatre. Tickets for students are $5.00. There will also be a Welcome Home Reception at 9:00 P.M that is open to all alumni. There will be a cash bar, hors d’oeuvres, one complimentary drink ticket, and a DJ. The last event of the evening is Midnight Madness and it is located in Turner Gymnasium at 10:00 P.M. This event kicks off the men’s and women’s basketball season.
On Saturday, October 20, 2018, there are many other events happening as well. Saturday events start with the Thompson-Polloway Hall Rededication and the Fraternity and Sorority Reunion Continental Breakfast at 10:00 A.M. According to the University of Lynchburg website, “Rededication of Thompson – Polloway Hall. All Alumni, especially Education Majors, are invited as the University recognizes the outstanding career of Dr. Edward A. Polloway, Rosel Schewel Distinguished Professor of Education and Human Development Emeritus, and longtime administrator. Access to the event is only by College Street past Hobbs-Sigler Hall and before McMillan Nursing building.”
The Office of Alumni Relations invites everyone to the 3rd Annual Tailgate Event at the University of Lynchburg for Homecoming Weekend. There are many things happening at the tailgating event including: student activities in the Dell, food trucks, live bands, virtual reality experiences, and giveaways such as: a high end red solo cup, but it is limited supplies.
According to the University of Lynchburg website, Tailgating will be “located in Hopwood Hall Parking Lot. Purchase a parking spot for the day for $75.00. Live music, food trucks, vendors, Alumni Association specialty items and more. BYO food and beverages. Each spot receives a party pack valued at $50.00.”
Some of the vendors that the University of Lynchburg will have at tailgating include “Lynchburg BBQ, Sourdough Pizza, and Where the Sweet Things Are,” said the Associate Director of Alumni Relations, Heather Cassada.
The University of Lynchburg website said, “Tailgaters who registered and paid in advance will be able to park or gain entry to drop off tailgate supplies between 11:00 A.M. and 11:45 A.M. in advance of the tailgate event at 12:00 P.M. The lot will be closed to vehicle traffic from 12:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M., with additional opportunities to exit at 7:00 P.M. and 9:00 P.M. All vehicles must exit the lot at 9:00 P.M. when it closes.”
The tailgate is an enclosed area covering part of the Dell to the Psychology building to the edge of the Hopwood lot to Carnegie. Student group tents are going to be located in the Dell in front of Hopwood.
All students must check in at the Carnegie or Psychology entrances to enter the tailgate after 12:00 P.M., students must have a valid photo ID with birth date to enter the registration/tailgate area.
Pre-approved student-sponsored tailgate spots will be located within the tailgate fence in front of Hopwood and must be set up between 11:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. Check in is located for tailgating at Carnegie.
Cassada said, “We hope to be at full capacity as the tailgating events have arrived. We have been very busy with people calling in and making reservations for dinners, events, and tailgating.”
Cassada added, “One of the new things that we have this year is the kid zone and it is bigger and better. We have lots of activities and this kid zone is for our twelve year olds and under. We have invited our student organizations to get a tailgating area in the Dell. In this area, we will have things specifically for students.”
During the day, there will be many games happening. At 12:00 P.M., there will be a game with the Alumni vs. Varsity Lacrosse. At 2:30 P.M., Field Hockey will play against Bridgewater College. At 5:00 P.M., Women’s Soccer will take on Shenandoah University. Finally, at 7:30 P.M., Men’s Soccer will face Bridgewater College.
Join other students, friends, faculty, staff, and alumni for a day of fun! For more information about Homecoming Weekend please go to https://www.connect.lynchburg.edu/pages/2018-homecoming-registration-page–.