New Homecoming Plans

Themed after Marvel comic book action figures, Homecoming 2008 is set for the weekend of Oct. 3-4, and includes myriad events to help alumni reconnect with Edinboro University, bond with current students, and experience the many changes and improvements on campus.

 "It's about bringing Homecoming home to Edinboro," explained President Jeremy D. Brown. "It's about bringing our alumni back to our campus to see and appreciate the many great things that have been happening here."

As such, Brown's vision, and that of the University's Homecoming Committee, centers on daylong activities throughout the pastoral, 585-acre campus on Saturday, October 4, including the expanded Homecoming parade.

"We have so much to be proud of, so much to show off to our returning alumni," said Bruce Q. Whitehair, vice president for Development and Marketing, the division that oversees Alumni Relations. "That's why we want them back on the campus where it all began for them. We'll be hosting a bigger and better parade as well as many diverse activities for our returning alumni, current students and the community.  We're very excited about the many options and possibilities."

A new, $5 million multi-purpose dome is expected to be inflated by Homecoming weekend, and construction of the first phase of the $115 million student housing project - The Highlands at Edinboro - will have taken shape by that time, both impressive projects for alumni to appreciate. The new "Fighting Scot" statue will also be placed on its pedestal in front of the Frank G. Pogue Student Center in time for Homecoming, welcoming students, alumni and other visitors.

President Brown, in announcing the revamped annual celebration, described the intent of the 2008 Homecoming Committee as two-fold.

"Not only do we want to bring our alumni back to campus," Dr. Brown said, "but we want to encourage them to participate in the many events, including the expanded parade.  And, we want our current students to begin to comprehend their future as Edinboro graduates by meeting today's alumni.  It's our belief our alumni will in turn become positive role model reinforcements for them.  What a great way to bond past and present!"

Activities for the weekend, for example, might include presentations of fine arts, and those of the performing arts at various campus venues, including the new Dr. William P. Alexander Music Center and Louis C. Cole Auditorium - Memorial Hall.

According to President Brown, other examples of alumni participation might be the encouragement of academic departments to hold open houses where alumni could "drop in to catch up on old times and provide us with updates on their successes."

Of course, the entire Edinboro community eagerly anticipates the first ever head-to-head football competition in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference West between Edinboro's Fighting Scots and Gannon University's Golden Knights, a natural draw for all of western Pennsylvania.

President Brown also wants to honor returning alumni in five-year graduation anniversary groups, and hopes to entice the former students to march in the annual Homecoming parade behind special class banners in their honor.

Jon J. Pulice, director of Alumni Relations, executive director of the Edinboro University Alumni Association and one the celebration's co-chairs, said encouraging alumni participation in the parade is intended to help past graduates once again feel like they're part of the campus.

"With greater alumni participation," Pulice said, "current students will certainly better understand their roles as future alumni."

Another possibility between the end of the parade and the beginning of the football game, Pulice said, would be encouraging class gatherings and even affinity groups that could meet to learn more about each other and the University.

Dr. Brown added, "We hope, therefore, to strengthen the lifelong connection between our students and the University at the earliest possible stage."

According to the 16^th President of Edinboro University, preliminary ideas being advanced by the Homecoming Committee suggest that local businesses and vendors be encouraged to offer their wares on campus, with residents of Edinboro invited to join the campus community and alumni for the annual "Brunch with the President" along the campus parade route.

"Bringing the parade back to the campus loop is an integral part of our new effort to celebrate Homecoming within the borders of our beautiful campus," Brown said.  "Imagine the bands, floats, Homecoming King and Queen, students, and especially returning alumni perhaps dating back to the 1920s, all marching along our internal loop. We expect it to be the best Homecoming parade ever."

President Brown acknowledged that moving the parade route from the borough streets to the campus represents change that at first might not be universally embraced in all quarters.  But, in confidently predicting the parade will be bigger and better than ever before, he emphasized that participation from the borough community will be highly encouraged.

"The only thing that's actually changing about the parade is the route - and that it will be bigger and better," Brown emphasized while acknowledging the entirely on-campus event will be more easily controlled as well.

He said the Homecoming Committee's vision is for an event that will appeal to and provide something for everyone: alumni, current students, faculty and staff as well as and community members of all ages.

"We know there are some who would prefer the off-campus parade route through the borough as in the past," Dr. Brown said.  "And we understand and appreciate their concerns. Change is sometimes difficult, and some resist change. But we believe that bringing the parade and celebration home to our campus - to their campus - will ultimately and soon be enthusiastically endorsed by just about everyone.

In Homecoming, as in academics, athletics and other extracurricular activities, it remains Brown's mantra that everything Edinboro does must reflect the University's excellence. 

"It's barely summer, but there is already a great sense of excitement on campus about Homecoming.  We believe we're creating a new standard that ultimately will become a time-honored tradition at Edinboro University."

For more information about Homecoming Weekend, starting the morning of Friday, October 3 with the annual Alumni Association Golf Outing at Culberson Hills Golf Club, please log on to www.edinboro.edu.

More information here: http://cms.edinboro.edu/departments/university_comm/news_releases/2008_releases.dot#parade