Homecoming 2015 Sesquicentennial Celebration Offers Events with Falcon Pride
Fairmont State University will celebrate 150 years of academic opportunity, tradition and Falcon pride during Homecoming 2015. From Sunday, Oct. 11, through Saturday, Oct. 24, students, alumni, faculty, staff and the community are invited to participate in FSU’s Sesquicentennial Celebration.
“We are very excited that this year’s Homecoming will commemorate Fairmont State University’s Sesquicentennial. The Fairmont State story is really the individual stories of our students—past, present and future,” said Emily Swain, Director of Alumni Relations. “Each student who has walked our grounds, studied in our classrooms, lived in our residence halls and played on our fields has helped make this University what it is today. We have such a rich history to celebrate, and we hope many of our alumni will return to share this special time with our current students, faculty, staff and the rest of the Falcon family. Here’s to the next 150 years!”
In addition to the traditional Homecoming events including the downtown parade, Alumni Awards Brunch, Hall of Fame Induction and Banquet and the coronation of the king and queen at the football game, several events with a focus on FSU history also are planned.
Author M. Raymond Alvarez will present a discussion on his book “The Normal on the Avenue: Recalling People and Progress of Fairmont Normal School’s Southside Campus” at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, at the Frank and Jane Gabor West Virginia Folklife Center. Dr. Beth Newcome also will show items from the Masquers Historical Costume Collection to match this period of FSU history from 1893 to 1916. A reception will follow the presentation. While at the Folklife Center, visitors can tour the Sesquicentennial Exhibit put together by FSU and Pierpont Community & Technical College Museum Studies students and faculty. The exhibit will be open through December 2015.
A 100th Birthday Party for Hardway Hall is planned for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, on the second floor of the historic administration building. The cornerstone for the first building on the Locust Avenue campus was placed in 1915. The party will include a special cake and a group photo on the front steps of Hardway Hall.
In honor of the Sesquicentennial, the School of Fine Arts and Town and Gown Theatre will present “The Boy Friend,” which was performed on campus in the 1950s. The jazz age lives on in this light, romantic spoof of a 1920s musical comedy. FSU has historic roots in theatre as the site of the creation of Alpha Psi Omega, Delta Psi Omega and the International Thespian Society. Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Oct. 16, 17, 22, 23 and 24 and 2 p.m. Sunday Oct 18.
The One-Room Schoolhouse Re-Dedication Ceremony will take place at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, at the site near the Bryant Place entrance to campus. A reception will immediately follow at the Erickson Alumni Center. The campus landmark has had renovations completed and celebrates the University’s legacy of teaching and learning and the early days of education in West Virginia.
There will be several community events, including a community clean up with Make Marion County Shine on Wednesday, Oct. 21. The focus of Thursday, Oct. 22, will be downtown Fairmont, beginning with the performances by students from Fairmont State’s Academy for the Arts. The annual Homecoming Parade, sponsored by ACE Hardware, will have its lineup at 5:15 p.m. on Everest Drive, and the parade will begin at 6 p.m. Float judging will take place in front of the Marion County Courthouse. Immediately following the parade will be an alumni gathering at the Joe N’ Throw, 323 ½ Adams St.
One of the highlights of Homecoming will be the Class of 1965 Emeritus Induction Brunch to welcome Class of 1965 into the Emeritus Club. This year’s efforts have been led by Delbert “Butch” and Becky Phillips, both ‘65 graduates, and the event is expected to have the biggest turnout yet for a golden anniversary class. The brunch will take place at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 23, in the Falcon Center third floor conference rooms. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.
The culmination of the Sesquicentennial Celebration will be the Time Capsule Dedication Ceremony following the Emeritus Brunch. The time capsule burial will take place at 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, in the Falcon Center quad. Alumni, members of the campus community and students have donated a variety of historical items and items to represent 2015 for inclusion in the time capsule, which will be opened during Homecoming 2065.
Several events are planned for Friday evening. The Fairmont State Foundation, Inc. is hosting a wine and cheese reception at the Erickson Alumni Center from 4 to 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23. The Alumni Association is hosting a Happy Hour from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, at Copper House Grill, 1155 Airport Road, Pleasant Valley, which will feature the signature 1865 cocktail and Falcon sandwich as part of the Sesquicentennial Specials. The Fairmont State Athletic Association will host the annual Hall of Fame Banquet and Induction Ceremony at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23. Tickets for that event are $40.
Saturday morning will kick off with the annual Fairmont State Alumni Association Alumni Awards Brunch, sponsored by Thrasher Engineering. Six alumni will be honored during the event that begins at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, in the Falcon Center third floor conference rooms. The Alumni Association also will host the Star Furniture Alumni Tailgate noon, which will be followed by the Fighting Falcons football game against UVA-Wise at 2 p.m. at Duvall-Rosier Field. Following the game, MCPARC offers a family event called Fright Glow from 3 to 10 p.m. at Palatine Park. The event will include live music, trick or treat tailgating, costume contests, vendors and more.
For a complete schedule or to register for Homecoming events, visit www.fairmontstate.edu/homecoming.
HomecomingSesquicentennial CelebrationEmily SwainAlumni
