MUW Releases Homecoming Event Schedule

COLUMBUS, Miss. — (PRESS RELEASE) Mississippi University for Women invites alumni, friends and guests to a weekend filled with entertainment and activities for Homecoming festivities March 27-30.

“A lot of new events are planned this year to include alumni and current students. We want the alumni to not only connect with their organizations, but also connect with students who are currently enrolled,” said Lyndsay Cumberland, director of alumni relations. “We want them to know that students share the same love for The W that they had when they were students.”

Homecoming events kick off Thursday at 5 p.m. with a party in Hogarth Dining Center with Big Joe Shelton providing the entertainment. There will be student performances and picnic food. Tickets are $20 per person. Free for students.

Education majors will be in for a treat when fellow alumni discuss their experiences at the Education and Alumni Friends dinner at 5 p.m. in the Education and Human Sciences Building, Room 120. Tickets are $7.50 and payable at the door.

The Nell Peel Lecture Series presents Amanda Beard, Olympic medalist at 6 p.m. in the Claudia Limbert Assembly Room in Cochran Hall.

Pianist Evgeny Rivkin will grace the stage at the Connie Sills Kossen Auditorium, Poindexter Hall, at 7:30 p.m.

Friday’s events will start with registration from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Welty Hall, second floor.

Stroll with the president at the Campus Walk with the President from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Meet at the Old Maid’s Gate, College Street entrance.

All alumni and guests are invited to attend the Golden Girls Alumni Brunch honoring the class of 1964. The event will begin at 11:30 a.m. in the Pope Banquet Room, Hogarth Dining Center. Tickets for class of 1964 members are free of charge. All others, $15 per person.

Board the double-decker bus to enjoy a tour of the historic district, visit an antebellum home and a floral presentation from the famous floral designer, Hitomi Gilliam, at the Trotter Convention Center. Gilliam is a native of Vancouver, British Columbia, and the recipient of the American Institute of Floral Designers Design Influence Award. The tour will run from 1-4 p.m. Tickets are $20 per person.

Have fun working out at the Rock the Block ultimate dance-fitness party that will take place outside the Stark Rec Fitness Center at 2 p.m. Join instructors as they lead participants in a variety of aerobic fitness classes including Zumba. There will be light refreshments and door prize drawings.

The W’s outreach programs will showcase its local efforts for youth and adults, regional conferences, training for professionals and more at a reception at 3 p.m. in the office of outreach and innovation located on the fourth floor of the education and human sciences building.

Come lounge in the Hogarth W Room with Michael Farris Smith and learn about his novel, “Rivers,” which made the Hudson Booksellers Best Book of 2013 and became the campus common reading initiative selection. The Alumni Relax and Learn will take place at 4 p.m.

The Alumni Exhibition and the Welcome Home Reception featuring “Illuminated Memory: A Retrospective of Larry Feeney” are scheduled from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Eugenia Summer Gallery. This event is sponsored by the Mississippi University for Women Alumni Association Lowndes County Chapter.

Celebrate the BlackList Honorary social club’s 100th anniversary at 4:30 p.m. at the Puckett House. BlackList alumnae are invited to march through campus and have a reception. Those interested should register for both events and report to Stark Recreation Center by 4 p.m.

Enjoy an evening of tasty food, great wine and friends with the class of 1964. There will be a reunion dinner Saturday evening at 6:30 p.m. in the President’s Dining Room, located in the Hogarth Dining Center. This dinner is $25 per person.

Light up the night in the W5K Glow edition run or walk with President Jim Borsig at 8 p.m. at the Stark Recreation Center. Participants are encouraged to wear their favorite glow gear and go through multiple black-light glow zones along the course, while being sprayed with glow solution. There is a $10 registration fee for students, all others $20 per person.

The After Glow Party will follow the W5K glow run as people finish the course. Come out and participate in singing, dancing and glowing with W friends. A dessert bar will be provided. Tickets are $10 per person.

Start Saturday morning off with breakfast at the Wesley Foundation from 8-10 a.m. This event is open to all alumni, students and friends.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., get your favorite picture from the weekend or the W logo and make it your new cell phone cover at the Homecoming Novelty Event in the Hogarth Student Center.

At 10 a.m. visit the Baptist Student Union and mingle with alumni fellow friends.

Send off the graduating class with a song at the Young Alumni reunion at 10:45 a.m. at the Old Maid’s Gate. Seniors are invited to join in with alumni as they honor the class of 2014.

The MUW Alumni Association will have its annual meeting at 10:45 a.m.in Limbert Assembly room, Cochran Hall.

Also, at 10:45 a.m., there will be a Young Alumni reunion in the President’s Dining Room, Hogarth Dining Center. This will be a special time for young alums to meet today’s W leaders.

The MUW Foundation board will celebrate 50 years of service to the university with a homecoming lunch at 12 p.m. in the W Room, Hogarth Dining Center. Please register for this free event.

Watch the classes march at Convocation at 2 p.m. in Rent Auditorium. This event is open to all alumni, students and friends. There also will be presentation of awards, singing of MUW songs and a special student panel.

Visit the President’s Home on College Street, and enjoy light refreshments with Dr. Borsig at 4 p.m.

Come and enjoy delicious food and cocktails from the famous cookbook “Southern Grace” in the Gallery Room of Shattuck Hall at 5:30 p.m. This event will be hosted by the culinary students. Tickets are $25 per person.

Make a bid at the MUW Alumni Association Board Silent Auction. All proceeds will benefit the MUWAA Legacy Scholarship and MUWAA Faculty Grants. The auction will begin at 5:30 p.m. in Shattuck Hall.

There will be a theater performance by an all alumni cast of “Love, Loss and What I Wore” by Nora and Delia Ephron. A special announcement will follow the performance. This event will be held in the Cromwell Theater on campus at 8 p.m. Please register for this free event.

Festivities conclude with a Sunday Chapel service led by Deacon Pam Rhea at 9 a.m. at Carrier Chapel. This will be followed by a special commemoration for those that have passed since last Homecoming.

Brunch will be served from 10:30-11 a.m. in Hogarth Dining Center. Tickets are available for purchase at the door.

For more information about Homecoming, please call (662) 329-7295 or visit www.muw.edu.