Sept. 10, 2008 – The spectrum of activities at this year’s Homecoming Week is broader than ever with events ranging from humanitarian efforts to stimulating political discussion to festive fund-raising and athletics for the whole family. Celebrations kick off September 20 with the Legacy of Lowell Annual Service Day and culminate September 27 with the Utah vs. Weber State football game at 6 p.m. in Rice-Eccles Stadium. The week is packed with fun for students, alumni and other Ute fans (see below for a full schedule, or visit http://www.alumni.utah.edu/homecoming for more information).
Longtime Ute supporters Dick and Jean Raybould are this year’s Homecoming Marshals. Both are loyal members of the Crimson Club and life members of the U of U Alumni Association. Following a military career that began with the Korean War and included 20 changes of station, Dick employed his leadership skills as director of the State of Utah’s Information Systems Center, while Jean distinguished herself as a mother and as the president of D3 Designs, a position she held for 20 years. In 2004, Dick, a U of U graduate (BS ’50), received the prestigious Merit of Honor Award from the Emeritus Alumni Board.
This year’s Homecoming Week kickoff on Saturday is a large-scale service event sponsored by the Lowell Bennion Community Service Center. The Legacy of Lowell Annual Service Day will bring each volunteer to one of five service sites throughout the community where they will assist in literacy tutoring, home repair projects for seniors, environmental restoration, food delivery and assembling dental kits. The event will be followed by a Community Service Awards luncheon at Parkview Elementary.
The traditional house decorating competition on Greek Row and other campus locations will take place on Monday at 4 p.m. Decorated houses will be judged for originality and expression of this year’s Homecoming theme, “Better off Red.”
On Tuesday, the Bennion Center hosts its annual Hunger Banquet, aimed at raising awareness of homelessness and hunger in the community. Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker will give the keynote address.
In preparation for the upcoming presidential elections, KUED RadioWest’s Doug Fabrizio will moderate and broadcast a 2008 election analysis by a panel including Hinckley Institute Director Kirk Jowers, former Salt Lake City Mayor Ted Wilson and pollster Dan Jones, co-owner of Dan Jones & Associates. The discussion will take place on Wednesday at 11 a.m. in the Hinckley Institute of Politics Caucus room.
Wednesday evening, an Emeritus Reunion will give alumni who graduated from the U 40 or more years ago a glimpse of today’s campus with a tour of the new Carolyn Tanner Irish Humanities Building, followed by a barbecue on the Alumni House patio, featuring a talk by Mark A. Supiano, M.D., U of U chief of the division of geriatrics in the School of Medicine and director of the VA Salt Lake City Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center. Supiano will speak on “Geriatrics, You and the U.” Special guests are members of the class of 1968, the newest associates of the emeritus alumni.
On Thursday, the energy rises when Songfest combines with the traditional pep rally to jazz up the already energized campus groups as they perform song-and-dance routines judged for creativity and presentation. The evening will serve to bolster pre-game spirit, with the help of football coach Kyle Whittingham’s pep talk, free food and appearances by the players, the marching band, cheerleaders and the U’s mascot, Swoop, the red-tailed hawk.
Friday is packed with fun events, starting with the third annual 18-hole Homecoming Scholarship Scramble golf tournament at Bonneville Golf Course, which benefits the Alumni Association’s Student Scholarship Fund. And U of U fans short on red attire will enjoy a 30 percent discount at the Campus Bookstore from 5 to 8 p.m. as part of Fan Appreciation Day.
This year’s Homecoming headliner, comedian Dennis Miller will perform Friday night at Kingsbury Hall. Voted number 21 on Comedy Central’s list of the 100 greatest stand-ups of all time, Miller is known for his brooding sense of humor and satirical wit.
Following the performance, the Homecoming dance will take place at Pierpont Place, 163 Pierpont Ave. in downtown Salt Lake City, where students will dance the night away.
On Saturday, Homecoming Day, runners of all ages will gather at the Alumni House, beginning at 8 a.m., for the ever popular 5K Run/Walk/Stroll, followed by the second annual Kids K Fun Run, guaranteeing a good time for the entire family. The event is organized by the Young Alumni Board to raise scholarship funds for students. Each year, prizes are awarded to participants in various categories, including fastest male/female runner, those wearing the most red and participants demonstrating the most school spirit.
Later that afternoon, a pre-game tailgate party and barbecue will be held on the Alumni House patio and surrounding lawn prior to the football game against Weber State.
For more information or to reserve events on-line, visit http://www.alumni.utah.edu/homecoming.
Saturday, September 20
- Legacy of Lowell Annual Service Day
Parkview Elementary, 970 S. Emery (1170 West), 8 a.m.
Continental breakfast and transportation to service sites provided.
Friends and students of the Bennion Center will volunteer at one of five service sites, followed by the Community Service Awards Luncheon from 11 a.m. to noon.
Free and open to the public. RSVP by calling 581-4811.
Monday, September 22
- House Decorating
Greek Row and other campus locations, 4 p.m.
Sites on campus decorate their spaces.
Info: 581-2788.
Tuesday, September 23
- Bennion Center Hunger Banquet
Union Saltair Room, 6 p.m.
Help the Bennion Center raise awareness of homelessness and hunger in our community.
Open to the public. Admission $5 or five cans of food. Ticket info: 581-4811.
Wednesday, September 24
- 2008 Election Analysis
Hinckley Institute of Politics Caucus Room, 11 a.m.
RadioWest’s Doug Fabrizio will moderate and broadcast a panel analysis of the 2008 presidential election given by Kirk Jowers, Ted Wilson and Dan Jones. Open to the public. Free admission.
- Emeritus Reunion
Humanities Building, 4:30 p.m., Alumni House, 5:30 p.m.
Tour the new Carolyn Tanner Irish Humanities Building, followed by a barbecue at the Alumni House, featuring a talk by Mark A. Supiano, M.D., on “Geriatrics, You and the U.”
$25 per person. Reserve online or call: 581-3719.
Thursday, September 25
- Songfest and Pep Rally
Union Ballroom, 6 p.m., Union plaza, 8:30 p.m.
Fraternities, sororities and other campus groups perform song-and-dance routines judged for their creativity and presentation, followed by a pep rally with Coach Whittingham on the Union Plaza. Open to the public. Free admission. Info: 581-2788.
Friday, September 26
- Homecoming Scholarship Scramble
Bonneville Golf Course, 8 a.m.
The third annual tourney at Bonneville Golf Course. Proceeds benefit the Scholarship Fund.
$100 per person/$400 per foursome.
Open to the public. Sign up online or call 585-3716. - Fan Appreciation Day
Campus Book Store, 5 to 8 p.m.
U fans enjoy a 30 percent discount on U items. - Dennis Miller Show
Kingsbury Hall, 7:30 p.m.
Stand-up comic Dennis Miller is known for his acerbic wit and satirical humor. This event is new this year to the homecoming lineup. For ticket information, visit Kingsbury Hall online: http://www.kingsburyhall.org/. - Homecoming Student Dance
Pierpont Place, 163 Pierpont Ave., 9 p.m. to midnight.
U students dance the night away.
Admission: $5. For tickets call 581-2788.
Saturday, September 27
-
Young Alumni Scholarship 5K & Kids Run
Alumni House, 155 S. Central Campus Drive, 7 a.m. registration.
8:30 a.m. start, 5K: $25 & $22, students $18.
9:30 a.m. start, Kids K: $12.
Race proceeds benefit the Young Alumni Scholarship Fund. - Pre-Game Tailgate Party and Silent Auction
Alumni House Patio, 155 S. Central Campus Drive, 4 p.m. Free parking at Alumni House.
Admission: $20, $15 students and Alumni Association members, kids 6 and under free. Red Hot Silent Auction benefits the Young Alumni Scholarship Fund.
Open to the public. Sign up on-line or call: 581-6995.
Open to the public. Sign up online or call 585-9012. - Football Game: Utah vs. Weber State
Rice-Eccles Stadium, 6 p.m.
Open to the public. For tickets call 581-UTIX (8849).