NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University will celebrate Homecoming 2016 with a weekend of activities, events, reunions and receptions Oct. 21-22 at the school’s main campus in Natchitoches, starting with Friday’s golf tournament, art exhibit, parade, pep rally and Rockin’ on the Riverbank Homecoming Festival featuring Louisiana rock/soul artist Marc Broussard. Saturday’s events include a full roster of activities beginning with Breakfast and Bingo at Collins Pavilion, several departmental induction ceremonies, a Vietnam War commemoration, tailgating, football and the presentation of this 2016 Honor Court.
Some times and locations may be subject to change, so verifying with organizers is recommended. Guests can RSVP or register for most open events by visiting northwesternalumni.com/homecoming16.
NSU Alumni Association will host the annual Homecoming golf tournament at Northwestern Hill beginning at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 21. The entry fee for the four-person scramble is $75 per person or $300 per team, which includes lunch and a rental cart. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place teams, longest drive and closest to the hole. Registration will close on Wednesday, Oct. 19.
An alumni art exhibit featuring costume creations by Joel Ebarb will open at 5 p.m. Friday at Orville Hanchey Gallery. Guests can view the exhibition, “Spinning Straw Into Gold” and visit with the artist at a reception that is free and open to the public.
The Homecoming Parade will depart from the NSU campus at 5:30 p.m., making its way down Second Street, turning right onto Rue Touline and flowing to Rue Beauport and the downtown riverbank stage where members of Honor Court will be recognized and NSU spirit groups will perform. Families with children can expect throws and candy from the floats created by student organizations. The Marc Broussard concert will be from 6:30-8:30. Broussard is a native of Carencro whose style is a mix of fun, blues, R&B, rock and pop matched with distinct Southern roots. For more information on Broussard or to sample his music, visit marcbroussard.com. Spirit awards for organizations that participated in Homecoming Week activities will be announced at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 22 will begin with Breakfast and Bingo at Collins Pavilion from 9-11 a.m. Guests can enjoy a hot breakfast with beverages for $10. Those who register by Oct. 16 will be eligible to win two free game tickets to the NSU-McNeese Homecoming football game. Prizes will go to winners participating in eight rounds of Bingo.
Members of Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma will celebrate 30 years of service to the Spirit of Northwestern Demon Marching Band during Homecoming. Activities include a 9 a.m. breakfast and social at Turpin Stadium prior to the 10 a.m. Spirit of Northwestern gameday rehearsal. Attendees can join Alumni tailgating at Collins Pavilion at 2 p.m. before the 5:40 pregame performance in Turpin Stadium. Attendees will also be invited to the field for a special recognition ceremony and are invited to gather at The Cove following the game. Registration is $15 per person, which includes the tailgate party and football game ticket. Children 12 and under are $8. For more information or to register, visit northwesternalumni.com/BandAlumni16.
The N Club Hall of Fame induction ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. at Magale Recital Hall. The six NSU all-time greats include softball star Becca Allen, track and field decathlete John Barrier, workman-like basketball forward George Jones, standout football receiver Patrick Palmer, shutdown football cornerback Keith Thibodeaux and crafty pitcher Jimmy Stewart. Receiving the N-Club's Distinguished Service Award is Mona Martin, one of the original 13 recipients of Louisiana's first female athletics scholarships before a storied coaching career at the high school and college levels. The N Club induction ceremony is free and open to the public.
Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority will hold Leadership Dedication at the Tri Sigma House on Organizational Row at 10:30 a.m.
The College of Business and Technology will host a reception to recognize recipients of the Outstanding Business Awards beginning at 11 a.m. in the Natchitoches Room in Russell Hall.
A luncheon for all past Homecoming Kings and Queens will begin at 11:30 a.m. in the President’s Room of the Student Union.
A luncheon commemorating the 60th anniversary of Pi Kappa Phi will be held at noon in the Student Union Ballroom.
The Louisiana Scholars’ College will host an open house beginning at 1 p.m. in Morrison Hall.
A reception and reunion for honorees to be inducted into the Hall of Distinguished Educators will begin at 1 p.m. in the Commons Area of the Teacher Education Center. The induction ceremony will begin at 1:30 p.m. in the TEC auditorium. Honored as 2016 inductees into the Hall of Distinguished Educators are the late Dr. Raymond Gilbert, Mack Daniel Knotts of Bossier City, Edwina Lewis of Natchitoches, Robert Silvie of Shreveport and David Thrash of Bossier City. Micah Coleman of Natchitoches is the Outstanding Young Professional and Paula Hickman of Shreveport is this year’s Friend of Education.
Tailgating with the NSU Alumni Association will begin at 2 p.m. in Collins Pavilion and Demon Alley. The Alumni Association will be serving fajitas, tacos, hamburgers, hot dogs, grilled sausage, chips and drinks for $6. The event is free to members of the NSU Alumni Association. Non-members who plan to attend can pay online or at the event. Food will be served until game time at 6 p.m. when the NSU Demons take on the McNeese Cowboys.
In conjunction with their annual Homecoming Open House, the NSU ROTC program will host a reception for Vietnam veterans and alumni. The 67th Demon Battalion and NSU Demon Regiment invite guests to an open house/tailgate from 3-5 p.m. with a Vietnam commemoration program set to take place at 3:30 p.m. Events will take place at the James A. Noe Armory, 418 Caspari St. To RSVP, contact Sid Hall at (318) 357-6951 or email halls@nsula.edu.
The President’s Tailgate for members of the Honor Court, Hall of Distinguished Education, College of Business honorees and other invited guests will begin at 4 p.m. behind Caspari Hall.
Pregame activities in Turpin Stadium will begin at 5:30 p.m. with Kick off against the McNeese State University Cowboys at 6 p.m. Halftime ceremonies, which will feature the presentation of the Honor Court, will be at approximately 7:30 p.m.
The weekend Homecoming celebration caps off a week of spirit activities for students, this year themed “The 2016 Homecoming Games,” that include opening ceremonies and a kick-off party, a 5K run and bonfire, NSU Olympic Games, the 50th annual J. Walter Porter Forum, Olymp-Sync lip sync competition and other events.
For more information on Homecoming events and activities, visit nsula.edu.