"
Come Home
To Marshall" was the welcoming theme for alumni as the campus prepared
for Homecoming '96 on the MU campus. The week-long celebration of Marshall
University was a part of Governor Gaston Caperton's "Homecoming '96
Celebration" which gave West Virginian's the opportunity to come back
to the state for Homecoming events. Homecoming on the Marshall campus is
always a special time as we renew acquaintances and friendships and meet
new people.
The Alumni Association hosts a separate schedule of events for alumni as they return to campus. The Campus Activities and Greek Affairs Office primary focus is on the current campus community. Many different campus organizations host functions to welcome Alumni back home.
The 1996 Homecoming was filled with exciting
events for all involved. On Monday, October 28, the week was kicked off
with Fun Flicks in Marco's. Fun Flicks allows students
to make MTV style videos. The candidates for Homecoming Court had a candy
give-away on the Plaza to entice students to vote for Homecoming Court.
Tuesday, October 29 was an exciting day with the MasterCard Acts Talent Competition taking center stage.
Students competed for the chance to represent Marshall University in MasterCard
Acts national competition. A great variety of talent was present for the
event . Acts included "The Chewtoys," Christina Overstreet, Jason
Webb and Erin Hardiman, Dangerous Curves Sax Quartet, Jimmy Hatcher, J
ason Downey, Tanya Morris, Allexander Lyons, and Jamela Shelton.
The eventual winner was Ms. Jamela Shelton who awed the crowd with her amazing
vocal talents.
The big announcement came on Wednesday, October 30, as the Homecoming Court was announced at a special noon time event. The MU Jazz Band entertained a large crowd as the announcements were made. After the court was announced and the final candidates for Homecoming Queen were made, the court served a lovely cake to their peers.
The Comedy was hot on Wednesday evening as "The
Black Comedy Tour" came to campus. Featuring two of the country's hottest
comedians. The Don Morris Room was packed with students and community members
as Joe Claire and Rodney Johnson kept the crowd rolling! A "Snaps"
contest was also featured. Co-Sponsors for the event were the Office of
Student Activities and Greek Affairs, 
and
the African-American Students Program Office.
In order to kick-off the official beginning of the homecoming weekend, the parade was held on Thursday evening. The parade hosted 34 entrants who circled campus in various type of vehicles and floats. Following the parade, Student Activities presented the "The Big Surf Drive-In" movie showing "Multiplicity" on Buskirk Field. The participants enjoyed 'chillin' on the Field as the temperature took a cool November dip.
The weekend was full of entertaining events initiated by the T.G.I.F Happy Hour sponsored by the Alumni Association at BrewBakers. An evening reception was held in the Fine and Performing Arts Center. The Student Activities Office sponsored the "Wild Video Dance Party" as the Gullickson Gym was transformed into a video night club with laser light show and smoke machines. The students and their guests were treated to lots of food and music. The Athletic Department Hall of Fame Banquet was held on campus for all the former athletes and supporters. The Sig Ep's held an Alumni Casino Night.
On Saturday morning, alumni and friends joined in on
a walking tour of campus and the "Wild Dawg Alum Run," a five-kilometer
road race was sponsored by WDGG 93.7-FM, the Department of Health, Physical
Education, and Recreation, and the Huntington Track Club. The College of
Science's second annual Homecoming breakfast was held in the Science Building
with the program "Innovative Teaching Techniques in Science and Mathematics"
following. Family and Consumer Sciences held a brunch for their Alumni.
The H.E.L.P Program held an open house in Myers Hall. The College of Liberal
Arts held its third annual brunch. The Sigma Phi Epsilon alumni attended
a tailgate party at the house.
WMUL-FM had a big weekend of activities in observation
of their 35th Anniversary. The nationally recognized student 
radio station held a reception on Friday evening with tours of
the studios for those interested. On Saturday, the station presented its
35th Anniversary documentary and offered walking tours of campus for alumni.
The pre-game festivities featured "Lunch Under the Tent" sponsored by WDGG and the Alumni Center in the Tent City on the Track Field. The Regents B.A. reunion held a tailgate as did the Baseball and Swim Team alumni, and Health, Physical Education, and Recreation alumni.
People could feel the excitement as the kick-off of the football game grew closer. The electricity of the crowd and the completely beautiful sun shiny day gave the perfect setting for the Homecoming Victory over the Citadel. As the Thunder Herd bid a final farewell to the Southern Conference, the crowd welcomed home former Homecoming Queens and Mr. Marshalls. Queens from as far back as the 1930's graced the campus while the 1996 Homecoming Court was announced. Stephney Desselle Riley was named Homecoming Queen. The Herd trampled the Bulldogs, 56-21.
After the game, the party moved to the Erickson Alumni Center for an Open House. Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity celebrated it 50th
Anniversary dinner/dance at the Radisson Hotel. Pi Kappa
Alpha fraternity 1950s classes held a dinner dance at the Guyan Country
Club. The Sigma Phi Epsilon reunion dinner was held at BrewBakers. Omega
Psi Phi Fraternity hosted a weekend full of festivities for their alumni
as they celebrated their 25th year of Nu Beta Chapter at Marshall University.
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity held the "StompFest" featuring historically
African-American Greeks from the campus and special guests from University
of Louisville and West Virginia State. Groups participating for the top
prize included Alpha Phi Alpha from the University of Louisville, Alpha
Kappa Alpha Sorority of Marshall University, Kappa
Alpha Psi of Marshall University, Zeta Phi Beta of Marshall University,
Delta Sigma Theta of West Virginia State, and Omega Psi Phi of Marshall
University. The Sweethearts of Marshall University, a social club, provided
great entertainment during an intermission. After all the stomping was done,
Omega Psi Phi hopped off with the grand prize.