Lisa Fortin, a 1997 graduate from the School of Journalism & Communication, believes it’s important for alumni to maintain their ties to the University.
“If students see an example of alumni coming back and enjoying themselves at Homecoming, they’re more likely when they’re older, to come back and visit.”
So as assistant director for student membership at the University’s Alumni Association, Fortin works to organize Homecoming.
Homecoming and Family Weekend 2007, which began on Monday, will continue through Sunday.
This year, Fortin wanted to “take (Homecoming) to another level,” so the Alumni Association and the office of Student Life, which organizes Family Weekend, joined together to make one big event.
“This is the first time we’ve had a Homecoming in the sense of having student events,” said Amber Garrison, director of family programs and commencement. “Typically, the Alumni Association does events just for the alumni.”
Campus has been alive all week with fundraising drives, rallies, ice cream socials and the Street Faire, but Friday is scheduled to be the event’s biggest day.
“Friday, there’s gonna be so much going on that people are going to have to choose what they do,” said Garrison, who said the activities are meant to cater to everyone.
Friday’s events include international performances in the EMU Amphitheater, an alumni/parent reception in the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, open houses, tours, lectures, a pep rally at Autzen Stadium, and a campus-wide scavenger hunt, among others.
Saturday will start early with the 9th Annual Duck Dash & Walk, a 5-kilometer race through campus.
Before the Ducks football team faces off against Washington State, the official Homecoming and Family Weekend tailgate party will take place in Autzen Stadium’s Mallard Park.
Other activities throughout Saturday include hockey, “Drive-In” Movie Night on the Living Learning Center lawn and the Black Student Union Fall Bash Dance Party.
Sunday morning, Carson and Barnhart Dining Halls will feature brunch made from University students’ family recipes.
An 18-hole golf scramble at Emerald Valley Golf Course will close Homecoming.
“We’re having a lot of fun this week,” said Garrison, who hopes the combined Homecoming and Family Weekend will continue and become an annual tradition.
For a complete schedule of Homecoming events, log on to uoalumni.com/features/homecoming.
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