Excitement is stirring around campus as the University community prepares for this year’s Homecoming festivities.
This weekend, Homecoming will take over the University with several events sponsored by the Rutgers University Alumni Association, said the RUAA’s Director of Reunions and Homecomings, Michael Rutkowski.
Rutkowski said he hopes there will be a large turnout for the kickoff festival.
“I hope [students] and all of their friends come out,” Rutkowski said. “Everything is going to be free but the food — it will be a good time.”
The “Kickoff Festival and Pep Rally,” beginning at 3 p.m. at Bucceleuch Park, will feature an appearance from the football team, game booths run by Greek Life, fireworks at 7 p.m. and an outdoor screening of Disney and Pixar’s “Up,” said Director of Student Centers and Programs Anthony Doody. “Up” was chosen for its cross-generational appeal.
Students can also take their Homecoming spirit to an after party at the “There’s No Place Like Homecoming” dance party at 9 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room of the Rutgers Student Center on the College Avenue campus for just $5 at the door, said Lori Smith, associate director of Rutgers University Student Life.
The RUAA will finish up Friday’s festivities with a “Young Alumni Beer Tasting and Dinner,” which also requires registration, Rutkowski said.
Tomorrow, the football team will square off against Texas Southern University at 3:30 p.m. at Rutgers Stadium.
Sara Abdelmottlib, a transfer student, said although she does not know much about football at the University, she is still excited for the Homecoming activities and the football game because they will help her learn more about the University’s spirit.
“I’m a transfer student and I’m really still trying to get adjusted,” said Abdelmottlib, a School of Arts and Sciences sophomore. “But I am planning on going to the game Saturday.”
Before the game, the University community can participate in walking tours of the Old Queens campus and Voorhees mall at 10 a.m. on the College Avenue campus, Rutkowski said. Registration is required.
There will be a Graduate School of Education Alumni Association information table at Scarlet Square on Busch campus and a pre-game tailgate party, Rutkowski said.
During the football game, RUPA will announce the Distinguished Man and Woman of the Year Award recipient, awarded to two University students.
“It’s an award for upper-class students to recognize their balance of achievement in academics, student involvement [and more],” Smith said.
Applicants will not only be competing for the title, but also for one of eight RUexpress Award prizes, Smith said. One $500 RUexpress prize each will be awarded to the Distinguished Man and Woman of the Year. $100 RUexpress prizes will be awarded to each of the remaining finalists.
Students will also be able to get some laughs in at the “Homecoming Comedy Show” featuring Joel McHale of E!’s “The Soup,” according to the Web site. The show is set to begin at 9 p.m. Saturday at the College Avenue gymnasium.
Homecoming weekend will wrap up on Sunday with a “Run for RAH 5K Charity Race” at the Rutgers Stadium, an effort to support donations for Rutgers Against Hunger, according to the RUAA Web site.
School of Arts and Sciences junior Mona Dalia said she plans to attend a tabling event tomorrow, where she hopes to learn more about the festivities going on this weekend.
“I am so excited for Homecoming,” Dalia said. “I can’t wait to see what entertainment they whip up. Everyone is talking about it.”
But Mohsin Rafiq, a School of Arts and Sciences junior, said he is not excited about Homecoming because he does not think the festivities are as fun as they used to be.
“I’m honestly not too excited,” Rafiq said. “I think it’s not going to be what it used to be.”
The Homecoming happenings kicked off Wednesday night with the second annual “Homecoming Bed Race” in front of Brower Commons on the College Avenue campus. The race was an effort to help donate umbrellas to New Brunswick public school students, according to the University’s Student Life Web site.
Today there will be a homecoming golf tournament from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.; legacy admissions tours from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m., which requires registration; Rutgers Experience panels from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.; and the annual “Kickoff Festival and Pep Rally,” sponsored by Student Life and the Rutgers University Programming Association.
More information about Homecoming 2009 can be found at http://www.homecoming.rutgers.edu.
Festival, fireworks, food to kick off Homecoming '09
Published: Thursday, October 8, 2009
Updated: Sunday, October 11, 2009
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