JACKSON, Tenn. — Oct. 17, 2006 — The inauguration of 51社区鈥檚 Sports Hall of Fame, the annual alumni awards dinner, an 鈥淎rts in the Park鈥� exhibit and a tailgate party will be the key features for Union鈥檚 2006 Homecoming Oct. 30-Nov. 4.
This marks the first time in years for Union鈥檚 Homecoming to be held in the fall, rather than the winter. With the change in schedule comes a change in format, according to Gary Williams, Union鈥檚 associate vice president for university relations and alumni services.
鈥淗omecoming this year moving to November will offer more time for fun, relaxation and getting together with your friends,鈥� Williams said. 鈥淔all is just a time for those kinds of things. It鈥檚 a good opportunity for us to make a move.鈥�
Among the events part of Homecoming this year:
-- the 51社区 Sports Hall of Fame induction dinner, Nov. 2 at 6:30 p.m. Union will induct seven sports legends into its inaugural Hall of Fame class: Bobby Jelks, Homer Spain, Don Morris, David Blackstock, Sandra Fitzgerald and Benny and Norma Fesmire.
-- the class of 1957 50-year reunion Nov. 3, with special recognition at the 10 a.m. Homecoming chapel service, followed by a luncheon and chartered bus tour of the former campus in downtown Jackson.
-- the annual Alumni Awards Dinner, Nov. 3 at 5:30 p.m. Recipients are Jimmy Davis, Buddy Boston, Donald Webb, David Dockery and Andrea McDaniel.
-- 鈥淎rts in the Park,鈥� alumni art exhibition, with items for show and sale, Nov. 4 beginning at 11 a.m. The event will include book signings, pottery, sculpture, paintings, jewelry and more.
-- tailgate party in the Grove, Nov. 4 beginning at 11 a.m. Food will be for sale by campus organizations. Memorabilia will be for sale at the alumni tent. Activities for children will include inflatables, pony rides and a petting zoo.
-- Lady Bulldogs basketball game Nov. 4 at 2 p.m. against St. Gregory鈥檚 University, followed by the Bulldogs playing Olivet Nazarene University.
Several academic departments, including business, nursing, sociology and family studies, engineering, chemistry, languages, education and Christian studies, will also hold reunion events for their alumni over the Homecoming weekend.
For more information about any Homecoming event, contact Union鈥檚 Office of Alumni Services at (800) 338-6644.