SHSU to Roll Out the Orange Carpet for Homecoming

Sam Houston State University in Huntsville will “Roll Out the Orange Carpet” for current and former Bearkats and friends of the university during the week of Oct. 15-20 to celebrate Homecoming 2007.

Students selected the orange carpet theme during the spring semester following a contest in which members of the university community submitted various ideas.

The week's activities will begin Monday, Oct. 15, with a kickoff rally sponsored by the Office of Student Activities at noon in the Lowman Student Center Mall. At 7 p.m. Damian the Hypnotist will entertain students in the LSC Ballroom with his comedy and his magic.

The main event on Tuesday will be Star Studded Ceramics, hosted by Student Activities, at 11 a.m. in the LSC Mall.

On Wednesday evening, SamJam, featuring rides and midway-type games, will start up at 8 o'clock at a new location this year at Holleman Field.

The annual homecoming parade will take place on Thursday evening beginning at 6:30 at the intersection of 19th Street and Sam Houston Avenue.

On Friday, the Class of 1957 will be honored at 11 a.m. in the LSC Ballroom at the Golden Circle Reunion, sponsored by the President's Office.

A special movie premiere open to current SHSU students only will start at 1 p.m. at Huntsville Cinema Ten. Sam Houston Bearkat OneCard student identifications will be required for entry.

The Distinguished Alumni Gala will take place, also in the Ballroom, beginning with a reception at 6 p.m., followed by a dinner and program at 7 p.m. Honorees include Kemper Crabb '54 and '57, Melinda Estes '74, Roger Lawrence '69, and Cecil Neely '71, and Distinguished Young Alumnus Peter Bell '93.

Soccer fans can go to Pritchett Field at 7 o'clock Friday evening to watch the Bearkats take on Northwestern State.

There will be plenty of activities on Saturday, Oct. 20, beginning at 7:30 a.m. when the Department of Recreational Sports hosts a 1-mile Raven Kids Race at Intramural Fields 2 and 3. The Raven 5K Race and 1 Mile Walk for adults will follow at 8 a.m., beginning and the Health and Kinesiology Center.

An alumni coffee at the Visitor and Alumni Center will take place at 9:30 a.m., followed by the official dedication of the building as the John R. Ragsdale Visitor and Alumni Center at 10 a.m.

SHSU President Jim Gaertner will greet visitors in Austin Hall at 11 a.m. during the “Pre-Game with the President” event.

At noon, homecoming activities will move to Bearkat Alley in the north parking lot of Bowers Stadium for a giant tailgate party.

At 2 p.m. the Sam Houston State University Bearkats will take on the Northwestern State Demons in football at Bowers Stadium.

Saturday evening, the Black Alumni and Friends Club Reception will be held beginning at 7 p.m. in the LSC Ballroom.

For more information about any of the homecoming activities, visit the SHSU Homecoming Web site at www.shsu.edu/homecoming.

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SHSU Media Contact: Julia May
Oct. 11, 2007
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