September 20, 2007
Homecoming festivities planned for Oct. 1-7
CARBONDALE, Ill. – Homecoming 2007 at Southern Illinois University Carbondale will shine particularly brightly thanks to the return of a very special "star" alumna, NASA astronaut Joan E. Higginbotham. Higginbotham, a Chicago native, will make a number of guest appearances during homecoming weekend Oct. 4-6, culminating with a ride as grand marshal of the homecoming parade.
The theme of the homecoming week is "Maroon Fever…It's Contagious!" and Salukis from all over will return to Carbondale for the parade, football game, selection of the homecoming king and queen, special entertainment and much more.
Higginbotham, a 1987 SIUC graduate with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, has handled a number of positions at the space agency and been an active participant in more than 50 space shuttle launches since beginning her career there two decades ago. Her first space shuttle flight was as a mission specialist on the 12-day STS-116 mission to the International Space Station aboard Discovery in December 2006.
Higginbotham's visit to Carbondale is a wonderful opportunity for the region and evidence of her appreciation for her SIUC experience, University officials said.
"Joan's accomplishments are a testament to the quality of education available at this institution," said Rickey N. McCurry, vice chancellor for institutional advancement and CEO of the SIU Foundation. "Homecoming weekend will provide a wonderful opportunity for the Carbondale and University communities to celebrate Joan and the honor she has brought to SIU Carbondale. We are truly proud to call Joan one of our own."
The public can hear Higginbotham speak at 7 p.m. Oct. 4 in the Student Center Ballrooms. Admission is free and after remarks about her time at SIUC and her life as an astronaut, Higginbotham will answer questions. Area high school students will meet with Higginbotham on Oct. 5 at 10 a.m. in the law school auditorium.
"It is very important for our students to have role models who demonstrate the value of an SIUC degree in achieving career success, as this encourages them to stay in college and to believe in themselves," said William P. Osborne, dean of the College of Engineering. "Joan Higginbotham is a great role model for our students as her demonstrable career success shows a Saluki can fly high indeed."
Events set for homecoming week include:
Monday, Oct. 1
• Homecoming kick-off, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Student Center Roman Room. Sponsored by the Student Programming Council, the event is a fun way to get in the homecoming spirit.
Tuesday, Oct. 2
• Homecoming king and queen elections. Students may vote from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the first floor of the Student Center or from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Student Recreation Center.
Wednesday, Oct. 3
* Homecoming Comedy Jam, 7 p.m. Student Center Ballrooms courtesy of Student Programming Council.
Thursday, Oct. 4
• Free public lecture by Higginbotham, 7 p.m., Student Center Ballrooms, sponsored by the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute and Student Programming Council
• Film, "Ocean's 13", 7 p.m., Student Center Auditorium. Tickets are $3 for students and children under 10 and $4 for the general public.
• Neil Simon's "Biloxi Blues," 7:30 p.m., McLeod Theater. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and $6 for students. Alumni Association members receive a 20 percent discount.
• "Ichor and the Four Humours Present: Percy Per Se Himself Presenting: Fopulous! Or All is Vanity (A Tragicomedy of Manners in Five Acts with Narrated Interludes and Dancing)," written and directed by Bennett Whitaker, 8 p.m. at the Marion Kleinau Theater on the second floor of the Communications Building. Tickets are $3 for students and $5 for the general public. To reserve tickets, call 618/453-5618 or you can buy tickets at the door when the box office opens an hour prior to the performance. There will be no seating after the performance starts.
Friday, Oct. 5
• Alumni Luncheon, Noon to 1:30 p.m. with numerous University officials, faculty, alumni and other distinguished guests joining Higginbotham at the SIUC Student Center, Ballroom D.
* Distinguished Alumni Recognition Reception, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. in the Student Recreation Center Alumni Lounge. An SIU Alumni Association program.
• Wall and Grand Apartments dedication and open house, 4 p.m. Visitors can view the new Wall and Grand Apartment complex and enjoy refreshments, sponsored by University Housing.
* Volleyball, Salukis take on the Drake Bulldogs at 7 p.m. in Davies Gym. Tickets, available an hour before the game at the gym's west entrance, are $5 for adults, $3 for high school age and younger. SIUC students get in free with a valid student ID.
• Alumni band reception, approximately 7 p.m. in the Student Center Cambria Room for all Marching Saluki alumni.
• Neil Simon's play, "Biloxi Blues," 7:30 p.m., McLeod Theater. Tickets $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and $6 for students. There's a 20 percent discount for Alumni Association members presenting their cards.
• "Ichor and the Four Humours Present: Percy Per Se Himself Presenting: Fopulous! Or All is Vanity (A Tragicomedy of Manners in Five Acts with Narrated Interludes and Dancing)," written and directed by Bennett Whitaker, 8 p.m. at the Marion Kleinau Theater on the second floor of the Communications Building. Tickets are $3 for students and $5 for the general public. To reserve tickets call 618/453-5618 or you can buy tickets at the door when the box office opens an hour prior to the performance. There will be no seating after the performance starts.
Saturday, Oct. 6
• Homecoming parade, 10 a.m., downtown Carbondale. The parade, featuring dozens of attractions, marching bands and more, begins at the corner of Mill Street and University Avenue and goes north on University Avenue to Cherry Street before turning south on Illinois Avenue and continuing to McAndrew Stadium.
• Alumni tailgate, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. under the SIUC Alumni Association tent on the lawn east of McAndrew Stadium. Everyone is welcome and may register for a complimentary lunch from the SIU Alumni Association and SIUC colleges.
• Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Resource Center Tailgate, Saluki Row, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., open to the public.
• Homecoming Latino Celebration tailgate, 11:30 a.m., with Latin music, food and fun for all in the tailgate area. Sponsored by the Hispanic Student Council with assistance from other campus groups in honor of Latino Heritage Month.
• Homecoming football game, with the Salukis taking on the Youngstown State University Penguins at McAndrew Stadium, 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $19 for adults, $8 for children and available at the ticket window at Lingle Hall, the second floor of the Student Center, or at the game. SIUC students admitted free at gates 3 and 4 with valid student ID on game day. For group discount information contact Julie Beck at 618/453-5153.
• 36th annual Miss Eboness Pageant, 7 p.m., Shryock Auditorium. Sponsored by Alpha Phi Alpha. For tickets call 618/453-3478.
• Volleyball, the Salukis face the Creighton Blue Jays at 7 p.m. It's Alumni Association member appreciation game, so members can enter Davies Gym free with a membership card.
• Film, "Ocean's 13," 7 and 9:30 p.m. showings at the Student Center Auditorium. Admission $3 for students and children under 10 years, $4 for general public.
• Neil Simon's "Biloxi Blues," 7:30 p.m., McLeod Theater. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and $6 for students although those with an Alumni Association membership card get a 20 percent discount.
• "Ichor and the Four Humours Present: Percy Per Se Himself Presenting: Fopulous! Or All is Vanity (A Tragicomedy of Manners in Five Acts with Narrated Interludes and Dancing)," written and directed by Bennett Whitaker, 8 p.m. at the Marion Kleinau Theater on the second floor of the Communications Building. Tickets are $3 for students and $5 for the general public. To reserve tickets call 618/453-5618 or you can buy tickets at the door when the box office opens an hour prior to the performance. There will be no seating after the performance starts.
Sunday, Oct. 7
• Neil Simon's play, "Biloxi Blues," 2 p.m., McLeod Theater. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and $6 for students, with 20 percent discount to those with Alumni Association membership card.
Alumni are also welcome to visit the Student Center Bowling and Billiards, campus boat dock and the Student Recreation Center for free and discounted activities homecoming week. The University Museum at Faner Hall is also open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday that weekend.