the Cento

Students and alumni will converge on Oct. 21 to 23 to participate in one of the biggest and most unique Homecoming celebrations ever planned at Centre. The festivities will include two alumni bands, a groundbreaking ceremony, exciting athletic events and a block party. Jointly sponsored by the Student Activities Council and the Alumni House, organizers hope that the event will be better than ever.

Each year, approximately 1,500 alumni return to campus for the festivities, but Director of Alumni Affairs ‘03 Megan Haake expects this year’s turnout to be even bigger as the Alumni House and Student Life Office plan Homecoming with a slightly different approach.

Student Life Coordinator for Greek Affairs and Leadership Development ‘10 Laura Pasley said that the planners are trying new strategies to make Homecoming bigger and better. President of the Student Activities Council Sara Muren agreed and said that a lot of students in the past have thought of Homecoming as just a football game and a concert. This year, however, “we want to make it an event instead of only a concert,” she said.

The weekend will kick off on Friday with several alumni-only events, including reunion luncheons. Public events start at 4 p.m. with the dedication of Young Hall. Haake and Associate Director of Alumni Affairs ‘06 Jillian Embrey stated that the dedication ceremony is something that students should definitely attend. They hinted that there might be possible giveaways. Following the dedication ceremony, students and alumni can cheer on Centre’s soccer teams as they take on Rhodes College and enjoy the Alumni Swim Meet. Donors can attend a special Donor Recognition Dinner, where the Kentucky Music Ensemble will perform.

Friday night will feature the biggest event of the weekend. A block party will take place on the lawn in front of Crounse Hall and the doors will open at 8:30 p.m. Free appetizers and non-alcoholic drinks will be provided by the Bluegrass Pizza and Pub as well as a free cheese tasting by V the Market. For alumni and Centre students of drinking age, Bluegrass Pizza and Pub will park their beer truck and serve beverages to those who check in and receive a wristband. Commemorative cups will be available after the event for anyone who wants one, Pasley said.

Pasley and Muren agreed that they were both looking forward to the night’s entertainment. Uncle Lady and Sundy Best, both bands with Centre connections, will keep the Block Party going late into the night.

Uncle Lady, an alternative bluegrass band based in Austin, Tx., consists of three Centre alumni, ‘08 Catherine Naiser, ‘09 Jeff Hortillosa and ‘10 Joey McGill. Muren is enthusiastic that students will enjoy the show, since she saw the group in Austin and said the performance was “awesome.”

Sundy Best, described as an acoustic/folk rock/energetic band, includes ‘09 Kris Bentley and Nick Jamerson. “Kris has been to campus before and played in the Warehouse, and it was always great,” Muren said. Pasley said that she most looked forward to seeing the bands interact with the audience, since they are mostly Centre alumni.

Muren agreed. “This year it is beyond sitting on a lawn blanket and watching a show,” she said. “It showcases alumni talent . . . They’ll bring down the house.”

On Saturday, there will be a groundbreaking ceremony at the A. Eugene Brockman Residential Commons. Again, Haake and Embrey encouraged students to attend so they can receive a surprise. Students and alumni are both welcome to attend the groundbreaking ceremony, as well as the Alumni Recognition Ceremony that will take place in the Norton Center.

Of course, Homecoming weekend will also include the annual football game, and this year’s game against Sewanee promises to be an exciting matchup. Prior to the game, the football field will be dedicated in honor of former long-time football and golf coach and three-time SCAC Coach of the Year Joe McDaniel.

The rest of the weekend is filled with luncheons, reunions, a performance of Cloris Leachman’s “Cloris: A One-Woman Show” in the Norton Center, a field hockey game and more. For more information, visit the Alumni Office’s website at centrelinkonline.com.