Oct. 11, 2002--UD’s Homecoming Weekend 2002 officially begins at 4 p.m., Friday, Oct. 11, with the Spirit of Competition celebration in the Trabant University Center. The Fightin’ Blue Hen mascot YoUDee, cheerleaders, the dance team and competing student organizations will be there.

New Student Spirit Ambassadors will be introduced, the banner award will be given and student performers will sing, dance, step dance and cheer on stage. In keeping with the “competition” theme, there also will be several free carnival attractions, including miniature golf, shooting baskets and inflatable bouncy boxing or Sumo wrestling.

At 4:30 p.m., Friday, at Mitchell Hall, 12 alumni will be awarded Presidential Citations for Outstanding Achievement, honoring graduates of the past 20 years who exhibit great promise in their careers or public service activities.

The UD ice hockey team will play West Chester University at 7 p.m., Friday, in the Fred Rust Ice Arena.

At noon, Saturday, the Fightin’ Blue Hens square off on the gridiron against James Madison University in Delaware Stadium.

Festivities, entertainment and diverse cultural activities are planned throughout the weekend. Reunions for the Classes of 1952, 1957, 1977 and 1992 will be held, with special events planned for these alumni. The Black Alumni Organization has a full slate of activities for its members, including a golf outing, welcome reception, brunch, dance party and worship service.

The College of Arts and Science is sponsoring several events for alumni, including:

• An Art Loop beginning at the University Gallery at Old College, from 7-10 p.m., Friday;
• A tailgate brunch from 10 a.m.-noon, Saturday, behind the Delaware Field House, honoring Carol Hoffecker, Richards Professor of History; and
• A postgame reception at the Delaware Biotechnology Institute, honoring Dan Carson, chairperson and Trustees Distinguished Professor of Biological Sciences who recently received the prestigious Merit Award of the National Institutes of Health.

For all College of Arts and Science events, reservations are requested. For more information and to request invitations, call 831-2793.

Performances of George Bernard Shaw’s “St. Joan” by the Professional Theatre Training Program are scheduled for 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, and 12:30 p.m., Sunday, at Hartshorn Hall. Public ice skating sessions also are scheduled during the weekend.

For more information about Homecoming Weekend, call the Office of Alumni and University Relations at 831-2341 or go to [www.udel.edu/alumni].

Article by Sue Moncure