Homecoming Weekend is Slated for October 26-28

Ithaca College alumni will be returning to South Hill Friday through Sunday, October 26-28, for a Homecoming weekend that will include concerts; a pep rally; a talk by Aaron McGruder, creator of the comic strip The Boondocks; and the induction of 11 people into the Ithaca College Athletic Hall of Fame.

Before the festivities get into full swing, though, some alumni will already be on campus as a result of participating in the Alumni in the Classroom program. Now in its second year, this program gives alumni an opportunity to visit Thursday and Friday classes to talk about their work experiences.

The weekend’s activities will gear up Friday evening. The hall of fame dinner and induction ceremony will take place in the Emerson Suites at 7:00 p.m. (tickets required); a reception will be held beforehand, at 6:00 p.m.

This year’s inductees are world-class gymnastics official Harold Bjerke ’63; wrestling national champion Mike Cronmiller ’90; all-star football lineman John Fasolino ’60, M.S. ’62; baseball and basketball captain Allen Gilberti ’53; three-sport athlete Edmund "Hop" Hickey ’34; sports media executive Barry Mendelson ’65; cross-country and track and field standout James Quinn ’86; women’s soccer all-American Tracey Marullo Ranieri ’86; football all-American and president of Maine Maritime Academy Len Tyler ’66, M.S. ’70; and three-time football all-Americans Bill Sheerin ’84 and Jeff Wittman ’93.

Another Friday event will be McGruder’s talk, which will take place at 8:00 p.m. in the Whalen Center recital hall in conjunction with the 16th annual Professionals Symposium (see story on page 3). His presentation is free and open to alumni and the general public. Other Friday happenings include receptions for former resident assistants and the current senior class, as well as a pep rally and bonfire in preparation for Saturday afternoon’s gridiron contest between the Ithaca College Bombers and the Hobart College Statesmen at Butterfield Stadium.

Before the game an alumni tent located in F lot will provide a spot for returning graduates to gather and renew old acquaintances. It will host prize giveaways, kids’ activities, and a barbecue. (Tickets for the barbecue are limited and will be sold on site.)

Other Saturday events include the class of 2001 gift dedication, an alumni and student networking brunch, and a reception for current and former student leaders.

Saturday evening highlights will include a free concert by the Concord Ensemble, a vocal sextet specializing in music from the Renaissance and featuring School of Music graduate Pablo Corá ’95 (see story on page 4). Rusted Root --- an instrumental group with a sound influenced by rock as well as by music from Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America --- will also perform Saturday evening. Sponsored by the Ithaca College Bureau of Concerts, the show will take place in Ben Light Gymnasium and is open to the public. Tickets are available at the Ithaca College check-cashing window in Egbert Hall, Sounds Fine on the Ithaca Commons, and all TicketMaster outlets, as well as online at www.ticketmaster.com.

For more information about Homecoming weekend visit www.ithaca.edu/alumni/homeschedule.htm or call the Office of Alumni Relations at 274-3194.

For information on the Professionals Symposium call the Office of Multicultural Affairs at 274-3381.