Mississippi University for Women invites alumni, friends and guests to a weekend filled with entertainment and activities for Homecoming festivities March 28-31.
“Homecoming is not only a time to reconnect with old friends, but it is also an opportunity to visit your alma mater and learn about all the exciting news happening now. So, please come join us because there is an event for everyone,” said Lyndsay Cumberland, director of alumni relations.
Thursday kickoff
Homecoming will start Thursday, March 28 at 4:30 p.m. with the Spring Fling for Graduating Seniors hosted by the MUW Alumni Association. Join alumni and seniors at Stark Recreation Center for dinner, games, music and an opportunity to meet soon-to-be members of the Long Blue Line. Alumni tickets are $15.
From 6 to 7:30 p.m., the Nell Peel Wolfe Lecture Series, presented by the Ina E. Gordy Honors College, will host Tracy Crow, former Marine Corps officer, editor of “It’s My Country Too: Women’s Military Stories from the American Revolution to Afghanistan,” author of “Eyes Right: Confessions from a Woman Marine” and three other books,and president/CEO of the community arts foundation Milspeak, which supports the creative endeavors of military service members, veterans and their families. The event, located in Nissan Auditorium, is free and open to the public.
Thursday’s events will conclude with an 8 p.m. piano recital by guest artist Elena Klionsky in the Kossen Auditorium, Poindexter Hall. This event is sponsored by the Leslie F. Threadgill Lecture and Artist Series. It is free and open to the public.
Friday activities
Friday’s events will start with registration from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. in the lobby of Welty Hall.
A campus tour led by President Nora Miller will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the Old Maids’ Gate near the College Street entrance. During the tour, participants will interact with honor students and discuss their latest research projects.
The Golden Girls Luncheon will honor the Class of 1969 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Pope Banquet Room, Hogarth Dining Center. Tickets are required for this event. Members of the Class of 1969 receive a complimentary ticket with their registration.
At 2 p.m., a tour and update of campus will be offered by the Office of Admissions, with shuttles available. The tour will begin on the second floor of Welty Hall.
From 2 to 3:30 p.m., “Reading, Writing, Living” will feature Eugenia “Genie” Talbot, ’69, Myra Ottwell, ’69 and Derek Webb, special collections librarian/university archivist. Attendees will travel to places with Talbot, and Ottewell will set the stage for how she produced her documentary “Mississippi ReMixed: A fresh look at race relations in the Deep South.” Webb will conclude with a photographic tour of The W’s history with images from the Beulah Culbertson Archives and Special Collections.
From 4:30 to 6 p.m., a welcome home reception and art exhibition in the MUW Galleries, Summer Hall, will feature W artist Debra Gordon, ’78; Mary Price Kerr, ’65; Katherine Feeney Munson, ’09 and Jessie Whitehead, ’76. Refreshments will be provided by the MUWAA Lowndes County Chapter. The event is free, but participants should register.
At 6 p.m., The Long Blue Line Auction and Welcome Dinner, benefiting W faculty grants and awards, will feature dancing and live music by Unfazed. The event is ticketed and participants should visit www.longblueline.muw.edu to reserve tickets. The auction is free. Dinner is $40.
The evening concludes with the Black Alumni Reception at 8 p.m. in Shattuck Hall. Featuring desserts prepared by W culinary art students, the event will honor black alumni.
On Saturday
Saturday morning will begin with the MUW Social Organization Alumni Council Planning Committee which will provide an update on the achievements of the first year of the SOAC, relationships with the university and MUWAA and goals for 2019. Registration will also be available at 8 a.m. in Welty Hall.
From 9 to 10 a.m., the MUW Alumni Association Annual Meeting will take place in the Limbert Assembly Room, Cochran Hall.
Class reunion photos will take place on front campus at 10 a.m.
At noon, alumni, friends, parents and fans will tailgate for lunch. The Owls Softball team will take on Agnes Scott at 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 and includes a snack from Project C.H.E.W. Also, there will be tailgate games provided by Campus Recreation.
From 1:30-5p.m., the Black Alumni Reunion will celebrate black excellence with special guests, food, fun and fellowship next to Bryan Green Gazebo. The event is free but participants are asked to register.
Visit the President’s House and enjoy light refreshments with the president from 2:30 to 4:30 Saturday.
Beginning at 5 p.m., celebrate the 2019 MUW Alumni Association Award in the Atrium of the Fant Library.
The Class of 1969 Reunion Dinner will take place at 6 p.m. in Brigham Dining Room, Hogarth Dining Center, while the Gingko Gathering, a dinner for all, will be in the Pope Banquet Room, Hogarth Dining Center at 6 p.m.
Saturday evening will conclude with the Department of Music Student Showcase in Poindexter Hall featuring performances by students. The event is free and open to the public.
Sunday service
Sunday will begin with a 9 a.m. chapel service, led by the MUW Wesley Foundation. It will be a remembrance of those who have died since the previous Homecoming.
For more information, call 662-329-7148 or visit muw.edu.
homecoming MUW
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 36 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.