Ithaca College To Offer Alumni A Chance To 'Make It Yours'

Keith Davis, 8/31/2009

ITHACA, NY — When Ithaca College alumni return to their alma mater on October 8–11, they may well experience a sense of déjà vu or the feeling that they’ve never done this before. This year, for the first time, the events of Homecoming (previously held in the fall) and Alumni Weekend (previously held in early summer) will be combined into Homecoming and Alumni Weekend 2009 “Make It Yours.”

“Whether this year marks an alumni 5th reunion or the 45th or somewhere in between, we want our alumni to return to campus when the academic year is in full swing and the college is alive with activity,” said Gretchen Van Valen, director of alumni relations.

“The theme for this historic occasion is Make It Yours,” added Brenda Carlisle, events coordinator. “In planning the weekend’s activities and events, the focus was to create a schedule that would give alumni the opportunity to tailor the weekend to their perfect fit. Our goal is to provide the kind of variety that brings alumni back to campus to have fun while also reconnecting to the college in personally meaningful ways.”

In addition to traditional offerings such as the Homecoming football game and the Alumni Awards ceremony, returning graduates will have a chance to attend the dedication of the newly opened Peggy Ryan Williams Center and tour the stunning new School of Business building, which embodies the college’s commitment to sustainability.

“I tell alumni, whatever activities you choose for the weekend, whether on-campus or off, you and your guests will find just the right mix to make it yours,” Van Valen said.

Highlights of Homecoming and Alumni Weekend 2009 — both traditional and brand new — are listed below.

Music, Drama and Film

The Ithaca College Theatre production of “Top Girls,” British playwright Caryl Churchill’s drama of a woman surviving and competing in a man’s world

Golden Doorknob Films, a selection of the best work done in the filmmaking class of Professor Emeritus Gustav “Skip” Landen, who assigned his students to make a short film depicting “death by doorknob”

Ithaca College Chamber Orchestra concert featuring works by Shostakovich and Haydn

Recitals by students in the School of Music

Family Movie Night showing of Disney/Pixar’s animated adventure “Up”

Daniel Pearl Memorial Concert, a performance by faculty members to honor the “Wall Street Journal” reporter who was kidnapped and murdered in 2002

Sports and recreation

Two alumni lacrosse games, one for women and the other for men

Homecoming football game against St. John Fisher (The Bombers have won 25 out of their last 27 homecoming contests.)

Award Ceremonies

The alumni association advisory board of directors honoring the recipients of the 2009 Ithaca College Alumni Association Awards:

Edgar “Dusty” Bredbenner Jr. ’50 Distinguished Alumni Award: Steve White ’66, M.S. ’69

Lifetime Achievement Award (posthumously): Larry Metzger, M.S. ’87

Professional Achievement Award: Lee Bird ’86 and William D’Elia ’69

Outstanding Young Alumni Award: Dominic Cottone ’99, M.S. ’00

Athletic Hall of Fame reception, dinner and induction ceremony honoring the 2009 inductees: Barry Cohen ’80; Renee Helbok Cone ’99, M.S. ’00; Nicole Swan Donlin ’97; Michael Ferrara ’80; T. J. Gamba ’89; Lisa Gould Glasner ’87; Christopher Matteotti ’96; Margaret Pilling Rux ’81; Todd Stephan ’96; and Susan Bender Szymendera ’93.

 
           Eat, Drink and Be Merry

Cayuga Wine Trail Expo

The Wines of Italy

Friday barbeque on the quad

Friday night alumni dinner

Senior class and alumni happy hour

Friday night pep rally, bonfire and dance party

Alumni and Homecoming Weekend picnic

The Big Bash on Saturday night, featuring the IComedy Club, 1970s alumni rock band Bombermania, student pop band Caution Children and ICircus

           Presentations

Two interactive workshops — “Leadership and Coalition-Building Skills for Today’s Environment” and “A Holistic Perspective on Wellness: Spirit, Mind, and Body Connections” — will be offered by the Division of Graduate and Professional Studies. Held all day Thursday and Friday morning, these workshops aim to sharpen life skills, fulfill career goals and provide powerful techniques to stay vital and healthy. Marsha Eger ’70, director of President’s Associates, will be among the presenters.

“The Financial Crisis: Front-Line Perspectives” will feature a discussion by alumni executives on weathering the recession and looking to the future. Panelists will include John Baumann ’72, JPMorgan Asset Management; Christopher LaCroix ’79, LSV Asset Management; Marc Weinberg ’80, Citigroup; and Kurt Wolfgruber ’72, recently of OppenheimerFunds.

“Design for Empowerment: Technology That Benefits Humanity” will feature physical therapy alumna Karen Piegorsch ’80, who will discuss how her ergonomic work with indigenous artisans in Guatemala helps preserve their bodies and their culture.

For more information on Homecoming and Alumni Weekend 2009 “Make It Yours” and to register, visit www.ithaca.edu/makeityours.

Originally published in News Releases: Ithaca College To Offer Alumni A Chance To 'Make It Yours'.