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Homecoming To Evoke Fitzgerald, Roaring 20s, Jazz Up Campus
Sept. 22, 2014
SHSU Media Contact: Jennifer Gauntt
It will be a decadent celebration worthy of the roaring 20s, hosted by Sam Houston State University’s very own mystery man.
SHSU’s 2014 Homecoming festivities promise to bring the jazz back to campus Oct. 6-11, courtesy of this year’s theme, “The Great Katsby.”
Activities will “get a wiggle” on Monday (Oct. 6), when SHSU’s “Big Cheese,” President Dana G. Hoyt, will help gear up SHSU’s guys and dolls for the week during the Homecoming Kick-Off Rally, beginning at noon in Bearkat Plaza.
Bearkat football coach K.C. Keeler and several SHSU football players also will be on hand to fire everyone up, and this year’s homecoming queen and king candidates will be introduced.
On Wednesday (Oct. 8), Student Activities will “Put on the Ritz” for the Bearkat and Huntsville communities—complete with rides, games, food and a Ferris wheel—with this year’s Sam Jam Carnival, beginning at 7 p.m. in the Holleman Field Parking lot.
On Thursday (Oct. 9), SHSU will come together to take a literal ride—down Sam Houston Avenue—for the Homecoming parade, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
The eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg will follow the nearly 100 annual participants—including student organizations, alumni, Huntsville businesses, and honored guests—who will evoke the spirit of the Great Katsby and the Jazz Age for their parade entries.
Friday (Oct. 10) will be filled with two swanky affairs, the Golden Circle Luncheon, honoring the class of 1964, at 11 a.m. in the LSC Ballroom; and the Distinguished Alumni Gala, at 6 p.m., also in the ballroom.
This year’s honorees include distinguished alumni Charles L. “Chuck” Beckner, Robert Sterling Steele, and Hiram L. “Doc” Jones; and outstanding young alumnus Carlos Rainer; as well as service award recipients Jon and Barbara Grady Bright and James B. “Jim” Bexley.
Also that evening, students can head to the nearest joint, the Lowman Student Center Theatre, where Program Council will present a Homecoming Movie presentation of the film that inspired this year’s homecoming theme, “The Great Gatsby”—based on the book by F. Scott Fitzgerald—beginning at 6 p.m.
Bearkats will approach the “green light” on Saturday (Oct. 11), with a series of keen events, beginning at 10:30 a.m. with the Alumni and Friends Coffee in Austin Hall.
During the event, the Alumni Association will pay its respects to a swell alumnus by dedicating the campus’s newest digital sign to John R. Ragsdale, who donated the sign to SHSU.
At noon, SHSU’s darbs, dames, debs, and cake-eaters can head to Bearkat Alley for the pre-game tailgate party, which will be followed by kickoff against McNeese at 3 p.m.
Homecoming week will wrap-up with a post-game reception hosted by the Black Alumni and Friends Club, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the LSC Ballroom.
“Homecoming is such an amazing time for the university,” said Brandon Cooper, associate director for Student Activities. “Bearkats of all ages and class years come together with our current students to celebrate and reminisce in what is so great about SHSU. It’s truly a family reunion of sorts, where we rejoice in the bond that unites us as a university.”
“This year’s theme ‘The Great Katsby’ is a tribute to a great literary piece, as well as an era of time where fun and extravagance were rampant,” he said.
Those interested in participating in the homecoming parade, running for king or queen, or wanting information on any of the homecoming activities can visit shsu.edu/homecoming or call 936.294.1836.
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