Alumni, students, parents and guests will be part of the festivities at Union College's Homecoming Family Weekend, Oct. 21-23.
People from all over the country, some from as far as California, Texas and Florida will converge on Union's campus and the city of Schenectady.
“As always we anticipate an exciting fall weekend,” said Nick Famulare '92, Director of Alumni Relations. “We are well on our way to having more than 2000 people come back this year, which will meet and probably break our attendance record for this annual event.”
Homecoming and Family Weekend 2005 features events ranging from athletic home games and Minerva House receptions, to tours, panel discussions and dinners.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for parents to experience campus life for a brief moment, said Lis Bischoff-Ormsbee, director of parents program. “They'll have the opportunity to meet our Interim President Jim Underwood, take a class, see an athletic event, learn about internships and terms abroad, attend the Parents Association Meeting, and just have time with their children.”
WRUC Anniversary
The college's radio station WRUC will celebrate its 85th anniversary being on-air. In 1920, Union students used makeshift equipment in a shed behind the electrical engineering lab to broadcast 27 minutes of music through the airwaves – widely considered the first scheduled radio broadcast in the country.
The “first station in the nation” continues to provide commercial free, student-run radio, featuring everything from jazz and rock to news and sports, on 89.7 FM and through its streaming Internet feed. Union alumni will step back into the booth as guest DJ's all weekend.
Terms Abroad
Union's dedication to international programs and travel will be highlighted by a reception and dinner for the Rennes (France) Term Abroad program on Saturday, Oct. 22, from 4 to 6 p.m. in Orange House.
Bill Thomas, director of International Programs, notes that 710 individuals have taken part in the term since 1969. The gathering to mark the 35-year milestone will bring together alumni, friends, current students, French exchange students and faculty members.
Union Football
The Fighting Dutchmen Gridiron Club (comprised of current and former players, coaches and friends of the college's football team) will honor the 1985 and 1995 undefeated regular season teams at a special halftime presentation during Saturday's home game.
Weekend highlights include:
- President's welcome reception, Friday, 4:30-6 p.m., Nott Memorial
- Volunteer appreciation dinner, Friday, 5:30 p.m., Ballroom, College Park Hall
- Alumni Council meeting, Saturday, 9 a.m., Reamer Campus Center Auditorium
- Football vs. Coast Guard Academy, Saturday, 1 p.m., Frank Bailey Field
- WRUC 85th anniversary cocktail reception, Saturday, 4-6 p.m., Reamer Campus Center patio
- Union Women Connect career panel, Saturday, 4:30 p.m., F.W. Olin Center Auditorium
For the entire schedule go to http://www.union.edu/HFW/ or call 388-6168.