Thursday, October 5, 2006

Writer/Contact: Larry Dendy, 706/542-8078, ldendy@uga.edu

UGA Homecoming to feature fun, food and football Oct. 8-14; Franklin College students part of Homecoming Court

Athens, Ga. – Fun, food and football will highlight a week of festivities at the University of Georgia Oct. 8-14 when alumni return to campus to join students, staff and faculty in celebrating Homecoming.

“All Roads Lead Home to Georgia” is the theme of this year’s Homecoming, which features entertainment and competitions for students, reunions and social events for alumni, the Homecoming Parade and a 200th anniversary commemoration for a campus building.  The week climaxes with the Oct. 14 Georgia-Vanderbilt football game in Sanford Stadium and crowning of the Homecoming Queen and King.
           
This year’s student events, organized by the student Homecoming Committee, include a new competition titled “Spirit of Homecoming” in which registered student clubs and organizations will compete for points as they participate in Homecoming activities.
           
Festivities begin Oct. 8 with the first “Dawg Dash,” a 5K walk/run at 5 p.m. at Sandy Creek Nature Center.  Part of the proceeds will be donated to a charity designated by the winner of the “Spirit of Homecoming” competition.  Race details are available online at www.uga.edu/homecoming or by calling 706/542-6396.
           
The annual street painting competition begins at midnight Oct. 8 in front of the Tate Student Center, followed on Oct. 9 by the Homecoming kickoff event, “Bulldogs Drive Us Home,” a party on Tate Plaza from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. with music, free food, displays and giveaways.
           
Other student events include the “Brumby Beach Bash” Oct. 10, 4-7 p.m. on the lawn between Brumby and Russell residence halls, and a “Block Party” Oct. 11, 4-7 p.m. on Legion Field.  The block party will include performances by student groups and free food provided by Athens restaurants.
           
Hypnotist and comedian Dale K will perform Oct. 12 at 8 p.m. in the Tate Student Center.  Tickets, on sale at the Tate Center cashier’s window, are $4 advance, $6 day of show for students and $6 advance, $8 day of show for non-students.
           
On Oct. 13, a ceremony will be held at 10:30 a.m. to mark the 200th anniversary of UGA’s first building, Old College, which was completed in 1806.  The ceremony will include a mass ribbon-
cutting to symbolically re-open the building following a year-long renovation completed in August.
           
Athens-Clarke County Mayor Heidi Davison will be Grand Marshal for the Homecoming Parade on Oct. 13. Starting at 6:30 p.m. and proceeding through downtown Athens, the parade will include the Redcoat Band, UGA Cheerleaders, UGA athletes and floats created by student groups.
           
The UGA Alumni Association will hold a “Sink the Dores Beach Bash and BBQ” at the Wray-Nicholson House, 298 S. Hull St., from 7-9 p.m.  The event will include barbeque, live music, appearances by Hairy Dog and the UGA Cheerleaders and a Moonwalk and face tattoos for children. Details are available by contacting Wanda Darden, 1-800-606-8786, or online at www.alumni.uga.edu/alumni.

“Dawgs After Dark,” UGA’s Friday night entertainment programming for students, begins Oct. 13 at 10 p.m. and continues to 2 a.m. Oct. 14 in the Tate Student Center. The event, which will include a gem mine, mechanical bull, casino tables, a make-your-own-music-video, food and many other activities, is free for students, $5 for non-students.
           
Students will vote throughout the week to choose the Homecoming Queen and King from among 10 members of the Homecoming Court.  The King and Queen will be crowned during halftime of the football game.  Members of the court and their sponsoring organizations are: Hariqbal Basi (political science, journalism, psychology), Journal for Undergraduate Research Opportunities; Andrew Dill, Student Government Association/Blue Key; Lauren Fields (speech communication and psychology), Advocating Safe Alternatives for Peers; Ryan Grab, Ag Hill Council; Katie Griffith (romance languages), Honors Student Ambassadors; Trey Stephens (English), University Judiciary; Leigh Tenewitz, Alpha Omicron Pi; Jake Turrentine (biology), Tate Society; Charlene Wang, UGA Ballroom Performance Group; and Amanda Wartner, Panhellenic Council.
           
Several schools and colleges will hold Homecoming activities for alumni. Following is information on these events:
           
Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources: On Oct. 12, retired professor Harold Brown will speak on “The Greening of Georgia” at 2 p.m. in the Warnell School. Events on Oct. 13 include a golf tournament and tours of the school, an open house at Whitehall Mansion and a dinner celebrating the school’s 100th anniversary at Flinchum’s Phoenix. On Oct. 14, the school’s alumni association will hold its annual meeting and a barbeque at Flinchum’s Phoenix.  Details: www.forestry.uga.edu/h/alumni/homecoming.

School of Law: The classes of 1966 and 1976 will hold reunions.  On Oct. 14, a barbeque will be held on the lawn in front of the law school beginning two and a half hours before kickoff of the football game. Details:  www.law.uga.edu/alumni.

Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication: An Oct. 14 tailgate on the lawn in front of the school, beginning two hours before kickoff, will feature music by the Athens A-Train band. Details:  www.grady.uga.edu/homecoming.

Terry College of Business: A tailgate will be held Oct. 14 on Herty Field beginning three hours before kickoff.  The event will include music by Tongue and Groove and a visit by Uga VI.
           
College of Pharmacy: The classes of 2001, 1996, 1986 and 1981 will hold reunions at 9 a.m. on the Brooks Mall in front of the college.  The college’s alumni association will meet at 10:30 a.m. and a tailgate lunch begins at 11 a.m.
           
College of Environment and Design: A tailgate will be held Oct. 14 beginning three hours before kickoff at the Founders House and Memorial Garden.
           
UGA at Oxford Study Abroad Program: A tailgate will be held in honor of Ian Archer, a Fellow and lecturer at Keble College at Oxford University, who will be visiting UGA. The event – for alumni who have participated in the Oxford program and people interested in the program – will be on the patio in front of Park Hall beginning three hours before kickoff.

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