Homecoming to Focus on Student Groups

A large percentage of the learning that takes place on a college campus occurs outside the classroom, and for many college students that includes participation in student organizations. Be they academic, social, athletic or some combination thereof, student organizations have been a part of Arkansas Tech University since its beginnings 100 years ago. In recognition of the important role that those organizations have played in the lives of Tech students from every era, Arkansas Tech Homecoming 2010 will focus on student organization reunion groups. Tech Homecoming 2010 is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 15, and Saturday, Oct. 16. “People come to college to get a degree, but along the way they gain lifelong memories of the people and places that changed their lives,” said Angela Bonds, director of alumni relations. “We hope that the student organization reunions at Homecoming 2010 will rekindle some of the memories and the friendships that make life at Arkansas Tech special.” Among the specific student organization reunions that are planned for Homecoming are Agricola and Arka Tech student publication staff members, campus ministries, Tech Ambassadors/Presidential Leadership Cabinet, ROTC, Student Senate/Student Government Association, Blue Key, Cardinal Key and Greek organizations. All of those reunion groups — along with reunion groups from the College of Business, the Department of Parks, Recreation and Hospitality Administration, the Center for Leadership and Learning and any other Tech alumnus or friend who wants to come — will meet on Centennial Plaza for a Homecoming tailgate party from 3-5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 16. There will be live music from popular Arkansas band Mister Lucky, inflatable bump-and-jump games, a $5 picnic buffet courtesy of Chartwells and plenty of opportunities to reminisce and reconnect. Pre-game Homecoming court ceremonies will begin at 5:30 p.m. inside Thone Stadium at Buerkle Field, and kickoff for the contest between Arkansas Tech and Southern Arkansas is set for 6 p.m. But the Homecoming 2010 weekend will begin long before the Wonder Boys suit up on Saturday night. The festivities will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 15, when the check-in table for the Homecoming Golf Classic at Russellville Country Club opens. Lunch for the golf outing will be served at 11 a.m., and dozens of Tech alumni and friends will take to the course in support of the Arkansas Tech Alumni Association Scholarship with a noon shotgun start.

Entry fee for the Homecoming Golf Classic is $75 per person. Also scheduled for noon on Homecoming Friday is the annual Ladies Champagne Bingo Luncheon at Lake Point Conference Center. For $15, attendees will enjoy lunch and prizes and coupons from local specialty stores. Once the final putt is holed and the final game of bingo is won, the Homecoming party will move inside the clubhouse at Russellville Country Club for the Alumni and Friends Reception from 8 p.m.-midnight on Friday. There will be a young alumni and friends reception during that same time frame on the bottom floor of the RCC clubhouse. Saturday’s highlighted activities begin at 10:45 a.m. with a groundbreaking for Hindsman Tower on the lawn south of the Ross Pendergraft Library and Technology Center.

The Homecoming parade will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday in downtown Russellville. The dedication of Rothwell Hall at 3 p.m. will lead into the tailgate party, the football game and the culmination of a busy Tech Homecoming. Other activities throughout the weekend will include chances to view the Arkansas Tech Museum in the Techionery from 2-4 p.m. on Friday and from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday; opportunities to purchase green and gold gear from the Tech Bookstore in the W.O. Young Building from 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. on Friday and from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday; and reunions for Coach Sam Hindsman’s basketball players, all Hall of Distinction members, the Class of 1960 and members of the Class of 1959, who had so much fun at their 50th class anniversary last year that they wanted to do it again. For more information about Arkansas Tech Homecoming 2010, visit www.techties.atu.edu, call (479) 968-0242 or send e-mail to alumni@atu.edu.

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