Homecoming 2008 Events Planned for Oct.

With the theme, "Falcons Are Forever," Fairmont State University's and Pierpont Community & Technical College's Homecoming 2008, set for Oct. 20-25, will be a week packed with alumni, athletics, student and community events.

"We are expecting a more involved Homecoming this year, due to the unique nature of the theme. 'Falcons are Forever' is a play on an old James Bond movie, 'Diamonds are Forever.' Students are excited about the contests and competitions, such as the Parade Float Competition, the Lip Sync Contest and the King & Queen Selection at halftime of the football game," said Nicki Stanley, Student Government Vice President.

"Community involvement in Homecoming is essential because so many of our community members are FSU, Pierpont C&TC or Fairmont State College alumni, or have students and alumni in their households. We have made an effort to increase community involvement in many ways this year. For example, we moved our parade line-up to East Side to give more people an opportunity to watch the parade."

Student Government continues its tradition of a community service project as part of Homecoming activities. This year students are volunteering for, raising money for and collecting supplies for the Dunbar Boys & Girls Club.

"I think the essence of Homecoming is about tradition, and the Community Service Project is a newer tradition that a lot of student organizations are taking very seriously," Stanley said.

"I am very proud of the opportunity to connect our students with the Dunbar Boys & Girls Club," said Laurie Johnston, Director of Student Activities. "There is always a lot of self-discovery that comes from civic engagement and community involvement. I think our students, as well as the children who attend the Boys & Girls Club, are going to learn a lot about each other from this project. We are also pleased to be working with one of our own fine graduates of FSU, Jason Walker, the program director of the site."

Homecoming 2008 Schedule Highlights

Visit www.fairmontstate.edu/homecoming or www.pierpont.edu/homecoming for a complete list of events for the week of Homecoming 2008.

Thursday, Oct. 16

As part of the Celebration of Ideas Lecture Series, alumnus Robert Tinnell will speak at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, in the Turley Center Ballroom. Tinnell is a screenwriter, director and author whose works include the films "Frankenstein and Me" and "Believe" and the graphic novels "The Black Forest," "The Living and The Dead" and "Sight Unseen." His book, "Feast of the Seven Fishes," was nominated for an Eisner Award for Best Graphic Album - Reprint and is scheduled to go into production in 2008 with Tinnell as director. Currently, Tinnell is working on the graphic novel "Crash," as well as various other screenwriting, comic and directing projects. While attending Fairmont State, he was active in Student Government, including serving as treasurer, student representative to the Board of Advisors, and he was active in Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. Tinnell lives in West Virginia with his wife and two children.

Robert Tinnell

Tuesday, Oct. 21

The traditional Homecoming Parade, which is sponsored by the Times West Virginian, will begin at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21, in downtown Fairmont. Student Government has selected Charlotte A. Meade, a retired educator and active member of the Fairmont community, as parade marshal. Line-up for the parade will begin at 5:15 p.m. at Palatine Park. The parade is on a different night of the week and will take a slightly different route than in years past. The parade route will begin on East Side, come down Merchant Street and across the Jefferson Street/High Level Bridge to Adams Street.

Charlotte Meade

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 and Pierpont 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. 24

The Fairmont State (and Pierpont) Alumni Association will celebrate the golden anniversary of the class of 1958. The Fairmont State Emeritus Club Luncheon and Induction Ceremony will take place on Friday, Oct. 24, at 11:30 a.m. in the Falcon Center, third floor, Conference Rooms. The event is sponsored by WesBanco Bank. All members of the Emeritus club are encouraged to attend and support the class of new inductees. Over 226 graduates from 1958 were listed in the Fairmont State database, and each should have received an invitation to the event. Edmund "Joe" Jenkins '58,  Alumni Association President, is one of the many candidates who will be inducted into this year's class. The Alumni Association will present framed invitations as a gift to each inductee and will hold a random drawing for a basket filled with Fairmont State items. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door.

The Alumni Reunion/Hall of Fame & Championship Team Social, is planned for 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, in the Falcon Center, third floor, Conference Rooms. The Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Anniversary Honoring of Championship Teams, sponsored by R& E Electric, will be at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, in the Falcon Center Gym 1. Tickets are $25. Inductees are Wayne Denham '70, Matt Fortier '72, Jack McIntyre '57, Roy Michael '70, Tim Murphy '85 and Luc Tousignant '82. An Alumni Association Hospitality Suite, will be available from 8 to 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, in the Falcon Center, third floor, Conference Rooms.

Saturday, Oct. 25

Six distinguished alumni will be honored at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at the Alumni Awards Brunch in the Falcon Center Gym 1. Admission is $15 in advance or $20 at the door. Marie Prezioso and Tom Lopes will receive the Alumni of Achievement Award; Naomi "Nicki" Boyers Hovatter and Frank Gearde Jr. will receive the Outstanding Alumni Award; and Kristie Latocha and Chad M. Riley will receive the Outstanding Young Alumni Award. To register for the event, call (304) 367-4009.

An Alumni Decade Tailgate is planned beginning at noon Saturday, Oct. 25, at Duvall-Rosier Field. Alumni celebrating their 10-, 20-, 30-, 40- or 50-year reunions are invited to reconnect with fellow alumni at the event. For more information, contact Devanna Corley at dcorley2@fairmontstate.edu or (304) 367-4375.

The Fighting Falcons take on West Virginia Wesleyan College for the Homecoming football game at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at Duvall-Rosier Field. Tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for children 14 and younger. A Post-Game Reception is planned at the Erickson Alumni Center immediately following the game.