They launched a campaign, dedicated two Minerva Houses, cheered at the fireworks, and boosted their home teams to victory.
More than 2,500 came to campus for a Homecoming and Family Weekend that had some of the usual activities — fireworks, games and receptions.
What may have been a first for the College was an activity that one observer called “people out standing in the field.” Library Field that is, where on Saturday morning nearly 1,000 alumni, students, friends and family spelled out their love for Union in giant letters.
“It was a spectacular weekend,” said Nick Famulare '92, director of alumni relations. “We had all the favorite homecoming events, but the launch of the campaign, the fireworks and the spell-out on Saturday really put us over the top. People left Union feeling a new energy about this place.”
Plans were to use a hot-air balloon to photograph the spelling project from above, but high winds made that impossible, said Julie Solomon, campaign director, who coordinated the event. Instead, the photograph was taken from the catwalk of the Nott Memorial. Every registrant received a commemorative garnet t-shirt that read: “You Are Union.”
Homecoming and Family Weekend also featured the dedication of two Minerva Houses: the Philip R. Beuth '54 House and the John S. '38 and Jane Wold House.
For more on the weekend activities and trustees meetings, see the October Board Report from Stephen J. Ciesinski '70, chairman of the Board of Trustees: http://www.union.edu/Board/Archive/2004_10/.