ΜμΜμ³ΤΉΟ celebrated its Homecoming on Saturday, Oct. 5. This yearβs Homecoming theme, βNew and Old, Forever Blue and Gold,β honored ΜμΜμ³ΤΉΟ Stateβs past while looking forward to the universityβs future. The Golden Flashes lost 38-24 to Northern Illinois in a rematch of last year's Mid-American Conference Championship Game.
βThis yearβs theme really embodies the transitions ΜμΜμ³ΤΉΟ State and the community are going through now,β said Joy Foreman, assistant director of outreach with ΜμΜμ³ΤΉΟ Stateβs Alumni Relations and Homecoming chair. βThe university is constantly evolving, but no matter what changes on campus, thereβs always that ΜμΜμ³ΤΉΟ State pride. That always stays consistent.β
Sponsored by the ΜμΜμ³ΤΉΟ Alumni Association, the festivities began with the 13th annual Bowman Cup 5K race at 8 a.m. followed by the complimentary alumni continental breakfast and parade viewing at the Williamson Alumni Center, located at 1200 Main St. in ΜμΜμ³ΤΉΟ.
The Homecoming parade began at 11 a.m. on Main Street and included entries from numerous campus organizations and the community. Following the parade, the alumni association hosted tours of newly rejuvenated downtown ΜμΜμ³ΤΉΟ aboard Lolly the Trolley.
Other activities included a faculty lecture on ΜμΜμ³ΤΉΟ State and May 4, 1970, the third annual Kiss on the K and a free concert featuring Flash in the Pan, ΜμΜμ³ΤΉΟ Stateβs own steel drum band. New this year, the ΜμΜμ³ΤΉΟ State Fashion School hosted a grand opening reception for the TechStyleLAB and a Fashion Walk on the new ΜμΜμ³ΤΉΟ Esplanade extension.
The ΜμΜμ³ΤΉΟ State Golden Flashes football team battled the Northern Illinois Huskies at 3:30 p.m. at Dix Stadium. A Family Fun Zone with inflatables, caricature artists and other family friendly activities were located on the south side of the stadium. The 2013 Homecoming King and Queen were also announced during halftime. Golden Flashes fans were asked to show their support by wearing the universityβs colors β blue and gold β to the game.
βHomecoming is the best time for ΜμΜμ³ΤΉΟ State to come together to celebrate the past and future,β Foreman said. βWe have so many activities planned. There really is something for everyone.β
Additional information about ΜμΜμ³ΤΉΟ Stateβs 2013 Homecoming is available at .