As alumni return to their alma mater, parents and families visit campus, and students prepare for their first—or fourth—homecoming, a full lineup is set.
More than 100 events are scheduled throughout the week, from the annual faceoff of junior vs. senior women in tonight’s powder puff football game at 9 p.m. (where the homecoming court candidates will be announced) to the Case Western Reserve football team’s matchup vs. Linfield College on Saturday at noon. Even first-year students and sophomores will get in on the athletic action, with the “freshmore” kickball game Wednesday, Sept. 25, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. behind Clarke Tower.
But there’s much more to this week than sports. On Thursday night, the university will host Blue Block Party 2.0, a dynamic street festival in Toby’s Plaza with food, music, entertainment and more. The event is from 7 to 9 p.m.; creative blue attire is encouraged.
On Friday, there will be a variety of tours and school- or college-sponsored alumni events throughout the day and evening, not to mention universitywide events for all members of the campus community. At the homecoming luncheon, for example, President Barbara R. Snyder will share the state of the university with alumni, parents, students and guests. In addition, winners of the 2013 Alumni Association awards will be announced. The luncheon will be held in the Veale Convocation, Recreation and Athletic Center from noon to 1:30 p.m.
Before and after the luncheon, there will be a variety of “Think Forums,” discussions led by alumni, faculty, students and friends of the university on everything from book-to-movie translations to Case Western Reserve’s role in shaping the U.S. chemical industry.
Immediately following the luncheon, this year’s grand lecture will take place in Veale Center. Titled “CWRU’s Newest Generation of Stars,” this forum features a panel of outstanding young alumni who also will be profiled in the next issue of think magazine. Four alums under 30 will discuss their victories, defeats and the road to achieving such success at a young age.
At 3 p.m., head over to Kelvin Smith Library’s O’Neill Room, where Frank Ryan—the quarterback who led the Cleveland Browns to a 1964 national championship—will discuss his time as a respected associate professor of mathematics at Case Institute of Technology.
That night, students, families and alumni can explore the city—or stay right on campus for plenty of entertainment. For example, the Case Footlighters—a student-run musical theater group—will host a performing arts celebration from 5 to 11 p.m. on the Kelvin Smith Library oval, featuring shows by a number of student organizations, ranging from a cappella to dance to improv. There’s even a “CWRU Legends” tour to give an insider’s look at the myths and history of Case Western Reserve University, and spirit night from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. at The Spot for alumni and students.
Saturday’s events kick off early—8:30 a.m.—with the Stephanie Tubbs-Jones Homecoming 5K Race and 1-Mile Fun Run. The race, around the north side of campus, is in honor of alumna Tubbs-Jones, who embodied the spirit of community and Spartan pride. All proceeds from the race directly benefit an undergraduate student at Case Western Reserve.
Next, the homecoming parade, a perennial favorite, will begin at 10:30 a.m. Participants, including student organizations and teams, alumni and university administrators, will traverse campus, sharing their Spartan spirit before heading to the 11 a.m. tailgate party outside Leutner Commons.
After the tailgate, head over to Case Field by noon for the football game vs. Linfield College, where the 1-2 Spartans take on the 2-0 Linfield Wildcats. The homecoming king and queen will be announced at halftime.
Think Forums also will continue Saturday, as will school-, college- and group-organized events.
That night, the university community is invited to reunite for the University Program Board-sponsored concert by Passion Pit. With hit indie-pop songs like “Take A Walk,” “Sleepyhead” and “Little Secrets,” this free show will be a highlight for students, alumni and families alike.
Homecoming weekend will close Sunday, Sept. 29, with the annual Stephanie Tubbs-Jones Gospelfest Celebration, which showcases the talents of local churches and youth organizations in an annual celebration of the rich heritage of gospel music in Cleveland. The event is from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at John Hay High School’s main auditorium.
To share photos from the weekend—or keep up with the action—use the hashtag #CWRUhc13 on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
For more information and a full list of the weekend’s events, visit case.edu/homecoming.