Week of Events Planned in Celebration of Homecoming 2011
With the theme, “Let Your Dreams Become Your Reality,” Homecoming 2011 for Fairmont State University and Pierpont Community & Technical College, set for Oct. 24-29, will be a week packed with alumni, athletics, student and community events.
“We chose the ‘Alice in Wonderland’ theme because, along with the visual appeal, there is an underlying message that every dream has an opportunity to become a reality. This idea relates to all students at Fairmont State University and Pierpont Community & Technical College. We come to school with hopes and dreams for our future and leave turning our dreams into reality,” said Jaron Hollida, Student Government Vice President.
As a Homecoming tradition, all student clubs and organizations that are sponsoring a king or queen candidate participate in a community service project. Students donate money, wish list items or time to area non-profit organizations. This year Student Government will be conducting a project to benefit Fifth Street Park in Fairmont.
“Our goal was to get more involved with the community of Fairmont. The City of Fairmont has opened its arms to Fairmont State University and Pierpont Community & Technical College students, and the 5th Street Park Community Service Project is one of our ways to give back to the community. Many of our Homecoming community service projects in the past have benefited global service agencies. This year we were honored to focus our efforts locally,” Hollida said.
“We like to include at least one new event each year where we can invite our community members to campus in order to connect our current students with the people who have helped support our institutions throughout the years,” said Laurie Johnston, Director of Student Activities.
In keeping with the “Let Your Dreams Become Your Reality”/ “Alice in Wonderland” theme, this year’s community event is a Cake Decorating Contest. The community is also encouraged to attend the FSU volleyball game, parade, pep rally and football game.
FSU and Pierpont students are invited to attend Homecoming Kick-Off Events. The first kick-off event will be from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18, in Falcon Center Gym 1. The second kick-off event will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19, at the Gaston Caperton Center in Clarksburg.
Homecoming 2011 Schedule Highlights
For a complete schedule of events for Homecoming 2011, visit www.fairmontstate.edu/homecoming or www.pierpont.edu/homecoming.
Thursday, Oct. 20
As part of the Celebration of Ideas Lecture Series, alumnus Morris Morrison will speak at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20, in the Colebank Hall Gym. Morrison, a 2002 graduate of Fairmont State, will share his life story to show how passion and focus can change your direction and prepare you for success.
Monday, Oct. 24
From 7 to 10 p.m. at the Feaster Center, there will be an FSU women’s volleyball game against Alderson Broaddus College. Admission is free. Student Government will sponsor an “Alice in Wonderland” Look-A-Like Contest. For more information on contest rules, visit the Homecoming web site.
Tuesday, Oct. 25
Pierpont and FSU students can participate in the Share Your Dream Table from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 25. The table will be located on the second floor of the Falcon Center in the Main Street area.
A Cake Decorating Contest, which is open to the public, is planned for 7 to 9 p.m. Oct. 25 in Gym 1 of the Falcon Center.
Wednesday, Oct. 26
FSU and Pierpont students will participate in a Casino Night and Mad Hatter Hat Design Contest from 7 to 9 p.m. Oct. 26 in Colebank Hall Gym.
Thursday, Oct. 27
FSU and Pierpont will celebrate the Grand Opening of the Frank and Jane Gabor West Virginia Folklife Center at 3 p.m. Oct. 27. The Center is located near the Squibb Wilson Boulevard entrance to campus. To RSVP, call (304) 367-4009. As part of the celebration, J. Davitt McAteer will be honored with the B.B. Maurer Folklife Scholar Award. The Traditions Salute Award will be presented to the Historic German Swiss Village of Helvetia, West Virginia. McAteer will be available for book signings of his new book, “Monongah: The Tragic Story of the 1907 Monongah Mine Disaster.” Helvetia Village gifts will be on sale. Guests can sample traditional, old-time cookies, wassail and hot chocolate in the hospitality tent. Enjoy folk music selections, tour the Center and listen to an exhibit gallery talk in The Great Room of Cultures on the second floor.
The traditional Homecoming Parade for Fairmont State University and Pierpont Community & Technical College presented by Student Government will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, in downtown Fairmont. Alumni Frank and Jane Gabor will be the parade marshals. Line-up for the parade will begin at 5:15 p.m. at Everest Drive and Kirkway Drive below the Marion County Rescue Squad. The parade route will run up Fourth Street right onto Fairmont Avenue, which becomes Adams Street, and will pause in front of the Marion County Courthouse. The parade will end near Veterans’ Square.
A Pep Rally for the Fighting Falcons will be held at 7 p.m. Oct. 27 at Duvall-Rosier Field at the Falcon’s Nest (near the concession stand). 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. 28
The Frank and Jane Gabor West Virginia Folklife Center will host an open house from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 28.
The Fairmont State Alumni Association will celebrate the golden anniversary of the class of 1961. Sponsored by WesBanco, the Emeritus Club Luncheon will take place at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 28, in the Falcon Center third floor conference rooms. All members of the Emeritus Club are encouraged to attend and support the new class of inductees. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. For more information, call (304) 367-4009.
The Hall of Fame & Championship Teams Social is planned for 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28, in the Falcon Center third floor conference rooms. The event is sponsored by Gary K. Bennett.
The Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Celebration of Championship Teams will be at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28, in the Falcon Center Gym 1. The event is sponsored by Omni Associates—Architects. Tickets are $25 and are available by calling (304) 367-4015. The Class of 2011 includes Maryellen (Earley) DeLuca, swimming; Bryan Harman, football; Dave Moore, basketball; Rich Newbrough, football; and Mark Waslo, football. In addition to the inductees, the Fairmont State Athletic Association will continue its recent tradition of welcoming back and celebrating notable Fighting Falcon athletic teams by honoring the 1956-57 swim team.
The FSU and Pierpont Student Dance “A Night in Wonderland” will be from 9 p.m. to midnight in Colebank Hall Gym.
Saturday, Oct. 29
Saturday, Oct. 29, is also Campus Visitation Day for FSU and Pierpont. The event begins at 8:30 a.m. To register or for more information, call (304) 367-4892 or (800) 641-5678 or visit www.fairmontstate.edu/CVDor www.pierpont.edu/CVD.
The Frank and Jane Gabor West Virginia Folklife Center will host an open house from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 29.
Six distinguished alumni will be honored at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at the Alumni Awards Brunch in the Falcon Center Gym 1. The event is sponsored by Thrasher Engineering. Admission is $15 in advance or $20 at the door. Lieutenant Colonel John “Pluck” Feather and Kimberly Cheuvront will receive the Alumni of Achievement Award; Dr. Kenneth Deahl and Judy K. McCauley will receive the Outstanding Alumni Award; Clinton Cooper and Dr. Jennifer Knight will receive the Outstanding Young Alumni Award.The family of Deputy U.S. Marshal Derek Hotsinpiller will be presented with a presidential citation on behalf of the Fairmont State Alumni Association. Hotsinpiller, a 2009 FSU graduate, was killed in the line of duty on Feb. 16, 2011. While a student at FSU, Hotsinpiller was a member of the Falcons basketball and rugby teams and was an active member in Alpha Phi Sigma and Pi Gamma Mu. To register for the event, call (304) 367-4009.
The Fighting Falcons take on Concord University for the Homecoming football game at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at Duvall-Rosier Field. Tickets are $12 for reserved seatbacks; $8 for adults; and $4 for children age 14 and younger. At half-time of the game, the Homecoming King and Queen will be crowned. A Post-Game Reception is planned at the Erickson Alumni Center immediately following the game; tickets are $5 per person.
Student GovernmentCampus Visitation DayHomecomingCelebration of Ideas Lecture SeriesFolklife CenterJaron Hollida
