October 01, 2008

Homecoming festivities kick off Oct. 6

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- From far and wide, they’ll return to campus clad in maroon for Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s annual Homecoming celebration Oct. 6-12. And the theme of Homecoming 2008 is “Salukis Save the Day!”

Alumni, students, faculty and staff will enjoy a wide assortment of special activities and presentations, culminating with the homecoming parade and football game as the Salukis take on the Indiana State Sycamores. Among the highlights of the activity-packed week are a lecture featuring Ted Sorensen, author and President John F. Kennedy advisor and speechwriter, the 37th annual Miss Eboness Pageant, and a University Museum reception honoring alumnus Jerome M. “Jerry” Mileur, donor of an extensive historic political memorabilia collection to the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute.

The Homecoming 2008 schedule includes:

Monday, Oct. 6

• Homecoming kick-off, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Roman Room at the Student Center. Sponsored by the Student Programming Council Homecoming Committee, it’s a great way to get into the homecoming spirit in style.

Tuesday, Oct. 7

• Homecoming king and queen elections. Students may vote at the Student Center between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. or at the Student Recreation Center from 3 to 7 p.m.

• Adult Swim Tour, noon to 5 p.m. at the Free Forum Area. It’s an outdoor village with corporate sponsorship featuring tents and activities promoting television shows incorporating adult swim.

Wednesday, Oct. 8

• Theodore C. “Ted” Sorensen, author, international attorney and former speechwriter, counsel and adviser to President John F. Kennedy speaks at 7 p.m. in the Student Center Ballrooms. “Counselor: A Life at the Edge of History,” Sorensen’s newest book, hit the shelves in May and his discussion will be along the same lines. Sponsors for Sorensen’s participation in the Morton-Kenney Lecture Series are the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute and the political science department. A book signing in Corker Lounge follows the lecture.

Thursday, Oct. 9

• Reception for Jerome M. “Jerry” Mileur, 4-7 p.m. at the University Museum. Mileur recently donated his extensive collection of political memorabilia from elections dating back to Andrew Jackson to the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute. Now on display at the museum through Nov. 4, the collection includes nearly 1,500 items from buttons and ribbons to political cartoons, posters and other items. Mileur will offer remarks at the reception.

• Homecoming Comedy Jam, 7 p.m. at the Student Center Ballrooms. The evening of laughs is courtesy of the Student Programming Council Comedy Committee.

• “Hancock” moving showing, 7 p.m. in the Student Center Auditorium. Tickets are $3 for the general public or $2 for students and children younger than 10.

Friday, Oct. 10

• SIU Alumni Association Board of Directors meeting, 8 a.m. to noon in Ballroom A at the Student Center.

• Dental Hygiene Professional seminar, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Student Center Auditorium with Betsy Reynolds as featured speaker.

• Class of 1958 reunion: registration from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in Student Center Ballroom C, guided tour of campus and Carbondale from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., meeting at the front of the Student Center.

• SIU Alumni Association lunch, noon to 1:30 p.m. in Ballroom D of the Student Center, SIU Foundation, Class of 1958.

• Distinguished Alumni Recognition Reception, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Alumni Lounge on the second floor of the Student Recreation Center. An SIU Alumni Association program.

• Half-Century Club/Class of 1958 reception, 5:30 p.m., John Corker Lounge at Student Center.

• Half-Century Club Dinner, 6:15 p.m., Ballroom D of Student Center.

• Showings of movie “Hancock,” 7 and 9:30 p.m. Student Center Auditorium. Tickets $3 for general public, $2 for students and kids under age 10.

• Volleyball featuring the Salukis against the Missouri State Bears, 7 p.m., Davies Gymnasium.

• Alumni band group reception for Marching Saluki alumni, 7 to 10 p.m., Cambria Room on first floor of Student Center.

• Alpha Phi Alpha step show, 7:06 p.m. at Shryock Auditorium, with SIUC Pan-Hellenic organizations doing their traditional step routines.

Saturday, Oct. 11

• Homecoming parade, 9:30 a.m. through downtown Carbondale. Featuring a large variety of attractions, marching bands and more, the parade begins at the corner of Mill Street and University Avenue and goes north on University Avenue to Cherry Street, then south on Illinois Avenue on to McAndrew Stadium. Sponsored by Student Programming Council Homecoming Committee.

• SIU Alumni Association Big Tent and Tailgate, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., on the east side of McAndrew Stadium. It’s the chance to enjoy a complimentary lunch courtesy of the SIU Alumni Association and the University’s various colleges.

• Homecoming football game, 1:30 p.m., McAndrew Stadium. See the Salukis play the Indiana State University Sycamores. Tickets are $19 for adults, $8 for high school and younger students while children two and younger are admitted free. Get tickets at the Lingle Hall ticket window, Ticket Central on the second floor of the Student Center or at the game.

• Alpha Phi Alpha’s 37th Annual Miss Eboness Pageant, 6:34 p.m. at Shryock Auditorium. After Set/Concert follow from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. at the SIU Arena.

• Volleyball, Salukis take on the Wichita State Shockers at 7 p.m., Davies Gym.

• “Hancock” movie, 7 p.m., Student Center Auditorium, $3 for general admission, $2 for students and children under 10.

Various University facilities will also have special offers, hours and discounts during the celebration. The Student Recreation Center offers free use of facilities 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Oct. 10, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Oct. 11 and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Oct. 12. There’s also free boat rental at campus lake boat dock. For more information call 618/536-5531 or visit the Web site at www.reccenter.siu.edu. Student Center Bowling and Billiards offers alumni specials with reduced pricing 9 a.m. to 12 a.m. Oct. 10, 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. Oct. 11 and noon to 11 p.m. Oct. 12. Call 618/453-2803 for details.

In addition to Mileur’s campaign memorabilia, visitors to the University Museum at Faner Hall will want to check out other special displays celebrating quilting, the Oglala Sioux, Latino art, Carbondale Community Arts’ 11th Biennial Exhibit and much more. Extended museum hours are in place for Homecoming weekend. The museum will be open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 9, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 10 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 11. For details look online at www.museum.siu.edu/current.html.

For more information about “Salukis Save the Day! Homecoming 2008” call 618/536-3393.