Homecoming Week Theme, Oct. 9-14, is 'Highway to Howl'
JONESBORO – Homecoming Week, themed "Highway to Howl" this year, begins Monday, Oct. 9, with a schedule full of activities for Arkansas State University students, alumni and friends.
New to the schedule this year is Reunion of the Decade for alumni of class years 2007-2017, starting at 5:00 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13, at Cooper Alumni Center. Tickets are available through the Alumni Association at AStateAlumni.org/DecadeReunion2017.
The coronation of the Homecoming King and Queen, along with presentation of Little Mister and Miss A-State and the Court, will take place during a pre-game ceremony.
Alumni Association and university officials will recognize the Distinguished Alumni of 2017: Joe Miles of Mountain Home, Maj. Gen. James E. Simmons of Port St. Joe, Fla., and Beth Smith of Jonesboro, at a breakfast and again at halftime of the Homecoming game. The 34th annual Distinguished Alumni recognition will be the most recent in a program that began in 1984.
With leadership from the Student Activities Board and the A-State Alumni Association, Homecoming highlights of the week include:
- Class of 1967 Golden Anniversary Reunion, Friday morning, Oct. 13, at Cooper Alumni Center;
- The All-Alumni Homecoming Tailgate, 3-5 p.m. at the Cooper Alumni Center;
- Downtown by the Decades, gatherings at downtown restaurants Friday evening to celebrate the anniversary classes of 1977 (Eleanor's Pizza), 1987 (The Parsonage 322), 1997 (Skinny J's) and 2007-17 (Brickhouse).
- The week culminates Saturday, Oct. 14, with game day, reunions and tailgating hosted by various colleges, student organizations, alumni chapters and other Red Wolf fans.
- After the A-State Choir current and alumni members sing the National Anthem, the Red Wolves will take on the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers, with kickoff set for 6 p.m. in Centennial Bank Stadium.
Other student and alumni events on the Homecoming Week calendar include:
Monday, Oct. 9: Banner Drop and Homecoming Court announcement, beginning at 12 noon on the Heritage Plaza lawn, east side of the Student Union.
The Back in Black(light) Party runs 8 p.m. to midnight in the Red WOLF Center, featuring DJ King Vick in a setting illuminated by black lights and glow sticks.
Tuesday, Oct. 10: Block Party, with music and food, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on Heritage Plaza lawn, east side of Reng Student Union. A portion of the proceeds benefit A-State's Up 'til Dawn fundraising for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Philanthropy Relay Race, 7 p.m., at the Red WOLF Center. Local non-profits discuss their mission, followed by relay races of 10-person teams. Admission is two canned food items or other non-perishable food item.
Wednesday, Oct. 11: Air Guitar Contest at 8:30 p.m., followed at 9 p.m. by the Ying Yang Twins in concert, in the Student Activity Center.
Thursday, Oct. 12: Student Activities Board (SAB) is sponsoring Yell Like Hell spirit competition and bonfire, 7-10 p.m., at University Loop and Honors Avenue. DJ King Vick will entertain, and food trucks will be on site.
The College of Business will host its Building Bridges event honoring outstanding alumni at 6:30 p.m. at Centennial Bank Stadium, Woodard McAlister Family Club.
Friday, Oct. 13: The College of Education and Behavioral Science will recognize its 2017 outstanding alumni at 4 p.m. in the Spring River Room of the Reng Student Union.
A parade-style Street Celebration will start at the Convocation Center at 4 p.m. and take a route through campus.
The Campus Karaoke contest will run 7-9 p.m., Heritage Plaza lawn.
Members of the Strong-Turner Alumni Chapter will mix and mingle at the Pavilion, 9 p.m. to midnight.
Saturday, Oct. 14: The Strong-Turner Alumni Chapter will have its scholarship award luncheon at noon in the Spring River Room of the Student Union, followed by a tour of The Circle (Gaines Hall, Richmond Hall, Smith Hall and Strickland Hall).
Choir alumni will meet from 9 a.m. until noon in the Fine Arts Center for open house and rehearsal for their pre-game performance with current choir members.
The College of Nursing and Health Professions recognizes its outstanding alumni at 2 p.m. in the Donald W. Reynolds Center for Health Sciences, and the College of Liberal Arts and Communication, College of Sciences and Mathematics and Honors College will host tailgates starting at 3 p.m. at the stadium.
After the game, the Strong-Turner chapter will host its homecoming party at 10 p.m. in the Hilton Garden Inn.
Game tickets are available through the Central Box Office at (870) 972-2781 or online at AState.edu/tickets.
For details about the week's events and activities, visit the Homecoming website, AState.edu/Homecoming, contact Alumni Relations at (870) 972-2586 or alumni@AState.edu, or the Student Activities Board at (870) 972-2055 or sab@smail.AState.edu.
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