Homecoming Offers Week of Events

With the theme, "Hit the Jackpot at FSU," Fairmont State University's Homecoming 2007 set for Oct. 8-13 will be a week packed with alumni, athletics, student, community education and fine arts events.

"This year's Homecoming is going to be a blast!" said Student Government President Kasha Brown. "FSU likes to get the community involved as much as possible."

Visit www.fairmontstate.edu for a complete list of events for the week of Homecoming 2007, Oct. 8-13.

Student Government continues its tradition of a community service project as part of Homecoming Week activities with a new event called Bike Night, planned for 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 10, on the top deck of the parking garage. Admission is a requested donation of $5 with proceeds going to the Betty Puskar Breast Care Center.

"This year we decided to raise money for the Betty Puskar Breast Care Center," Brown said. "We chose this organization because October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. At last year's Homecoming, we had a Car Cruise, which the students and the community loved. We decided to have a Bike Night this year. We are hoping students and community members bring their bikes out."

"This will be our fifth year of giving back to the community while we celebrate Homecoming at FSU," said Laurie Johnston, Director of Student Activities. "œAs the advisor to Student Government, it makes me very proud of all of our campus organizations who take the time to volunteer, raise money or collect food or books each year during Homecoming. I hope this is a tradition of Homecoming that continues throughout the years. It really makes Homecoming more meaningful and significant for our young student leaders. It has also tied us more closely to the needs of our community."

Thursday, Oct. 11, Highlights

The traditional Homecoming Parade presented by Student Government will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11, in downtown Fairmont. Student Government has selected legendary coaches Deacon Duvall and Joe Retton as parade marshals. Line-up for the parade, which is sponsored by the Times West Virginian, will begin at 5:15 p.m. at the corner of Fairmont Avenue and Second Street.

Presented by Student Government, the annual Pep Rally, sponsored by the Times West Virginian, will begin at 7 p.m. at Falcon Center Gym 1. FSU clubs will compete for the Spirit Stick, as cheerleaders and the band lead the crowd in cheering on the Fighting Falcons. Homecoming court candidates, the football coaches and team captains will also be introduced.

Friday, Oct. 12, Highlights

On Friday, Oct. 12, the Alumni Reunion/ Hall of Fame & Championship Team Social, sponsored by The Omni Associates-Architects Inc. is planned for 4:30-6:15 p.m. in the Falcon Center Third Floor Conference Rooms. Admission is free. The Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony/ Anniversary Honoring of Championship Teams, sponsored by R&E Electric Company, will be from 6:30-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12. Admission is $25 per person or $200 per table before Monday, Oct. 8. For more information on these Athletic events, call (304) 367-4220. There will be a hospitality suite in the Falcon Center Third Floor Conference Rooms from 7-11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12.

Saturday, Oct. 13, Highlights

Six distinguished alumni will be honored at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, at the Alumni Awards Brunch in the Falcon Center Gym 1. Admission is $15 per person or $80 per table. Alumni to be honored include Outstanding Alumni, Marvin Stewart and Carole Wade; Alumni of Achievement, Gary Bennett and Patty Vandergrift Tompkins; and Outstanding Young Alumni, William "Bill" Phillips II and Carrie Elizabeth Smith-Swiger. To register for the event, call (304) 367-4009.

The Fighting Falcons take on the University of Charleston for the Homecoming football game at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, at Duvall-Rosier Field. A Post-Game Reception will immediately follow the game at the Erickson Alumni Center.

An Athletic Association Alumni Bash, sponsored by Christopher's Banquet and Conference Center, is planned for 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, at Christopher's. Admission is free.