Campus News

Homecoming 2011

Seventy-six events, more than 10,000 attendees and countless memories, Homecoming 2011 gave alumni the opportunity to connect with fellow graduates. Events ranged from exclusive networking receptions to professional sporting games to picnics in the park. Thank you to everyone who attended. We can’t wait to see you again next year.

1. Augusta

Alumni celebrated homecoming in Augusta with a pregame mixer and a baseball game at Lake Olmstead Stadium cheering on on the Green Jackets.

2. Austin

Alumni kicked off the Austin homecoming festivites with a game of networking bingo during a reception held at the local Dave & Buster’s.

3. Baton Rouge

Baton Rouge alumni gathered at the beautiful Manship Theatre and enjoyed a sophisticated evening of mixing and mingling. The highlight of the evening was the inspirational speeches made by proud alumni including District 5 Council Woman Ronnie Edwards, CEO of Dow Federal Credit Union Jefferey Hendrickson and DavidPaul Learning Center Founder Lloyd Benson.

4. Boston

Homecoming in Boston was an intimate, upscale affair. Alumni enjoyed conversation during a networking reception held at the Boston Museum Science Center.

Before exploring the exhibits at the museum, alumni heard from brother and siser co-guest alumni speakers, Dr. Michael Keohane and Dr. Ellen J. Keohane.

5. Charlotte

Alumni and guests gathered at the deliciously chic Crave Dessert Bar in Charlotte for an evening filled with dancing, laughter and mingling with former classmates and new friends.

6. Chicago

The Chicago Blackhawks served as homecoming hosts in Chicago. Alumni enjoyed an exciting evening of hockey and thoughtful conversation at a pregame mixer. This event had it all: an official “alumni welcome” by Blackhawks President and CEO John F. McDonough, a photo opportunity with team mascot Tommy Hawk and even a visit by the Blackhawk Ice Girls.

7. Columbus, OH

Alumni were greeted by a welcoming committee from the Columbus Zoo courtesy of Jack Hanna himself. Lynx cats, a penguin and an armadillo did their best to make certain that this was a

memorable event for all. The good times kept rolling with alumni and guests mingling and dancing the night away.

8. Idaho (Boise)

More than 300 alumni and guests celebrated with a family friendly homecoming at Wahooz. It was an exciting evening that began with a private reception that lead to go-karts, water rides and plenty of arcade fun.

9. Houston

Aloha … Houston area alumni celebrated homecoming Hawaiian style with an exclusive pregame luau on the rooftop of Minute Maid Field. The good times kept coming as nearly 300 alumni and guests continued the festivites with an exciting game of baseball courtesy of the hometown Houston Astros.

10. Las Vegas

Alumni celebrated homecoming in Las Vegas with a pregame barbeque and a baseball game at Cashman Field cheering on on the Las Vegas 51s.

11. Kansas City

Kansas City alumni enjoyed a wonderful fall afternoon at Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Kansas City Chiefs. A pregame barbeque got the party started and the hometown team treated all to an exciting game of football.

12. Milwaukee

Alumni and peacocks alike braved the rainy weather and enjoyed a family style homecoming courtesy of Milwaukee Zoo. Homecoming attendees enjoyed an indoor barbeque, face painting and opportunities to connect with fellow alumni.

13. Nashville

Alumni celebrated homecoming in Nashville with an exclusive casino-style networking reception at aVenue.

14. New Jersey

Jersey alumni enjoyed homecoming 2011 with a Manhattan Island Dinner Cruise. As the sun set across the horizon, alumni kicked off the night with plenty of dancing and networking fun.

15. New Orleans

Homecoming took a historical spin in New Orleans where alumni gathered at the World War II Museum for an exclusive networking reception.

16. Philadelphia/Delaware

Philadelphia and Delaware area alumni enjoyed a homecoming that featured former Philadelphia Eagles great, Vince Papale. Vince’s personal story of fierce determination and preservance was brought to the big screen by actor Mark Walhberg in the the movie Invincible.

17. Phoenix

More than 900 alumni and guests made homecoming with the Arizona Diamondbacks a truly memorable event. The event included a series of fun pregame activities including an inspirational message of community service from Diamondbacks’ General Manager Kevin Towers, a networking alumni activity, face painting and a visit by team mascot Baxter. A few alumni were even selected to participate in gametime activities on the field.

18. San Antonio

Alumni enjoyed an evening mixing, mingling and networking in San Antonio. The traditional crowning of the 2011 Homecoming king and queen was a highlight of the evening. Although the reigning 2010 royalty were not present, the 2009 royal couple were in attendance and happily crowned the new winners.

19. Southern California

More than 500 alumni and guests gathered for a festive pregame mixer at the Angels Stadium of Anaheim before cheering on the hometown team as they battled the New York Yankees. Phoenix pride ran high throughout the celebration and fueled an afternoon full of music, good company, great conversation and beautiful California fall weather.

20. Southern California – Lancaster

Homecoming was a wonderful evening for Lancaster alumni and their families (120 total) to enjoy a chance to mingle and celebrate their achievements. The festivities at Clear Channel Field kicked off with an activity-packed pregame mixer that included batting practice on the field followed by a JetHawks game.

21. Southern Colorado

Southern Colorado alumni weathered a few storms and celebrated together at a fun pregame mixer at Security Service Field. The skies cleared in time for all to enjoy the game cheering on the Colorado Springs Sky Sox.

22. St. Louis

More than 200 alumni and guests celebrated homecoming in St. Louis with a pregame barbeque and a baseball game at Busch Stadium cheering on the Cardinals.

23. Western Washington

Seattle offered up a rare balmy day (80 degrees and sunny) in honor of homecoming. More than 100 alumni and guests relished the weather and the chance to mingle with fellow alumni during a pregame mixer and Mariners baseball game at Safeco Field.

Campus News

Other homecoming events around the nation

Alaska

Reception at the Brian E. Davis Gallery

Atlanta

Pregame mixer and Braves Game at Turner Field

Bay Area

Reception at the San Jose Tech Museum

Birmingham

Networking reception at The Redmont Hotel

Cedar Rapids

Family friendly celebration at Bloomsbury Farm

Central Florida

Reception at the House of Blues and show courtesy of Cirque du Soleil

Central Valley

Reception at the Bakersfield Museum of Art with guest speaker Sandra Davis, campus college chair, College of Nursing

Chattanooga

Pregame mixer and a Chattanooga Lookouts game at AT&T Baseball Field

Cheyenne/Fort Collins

Pregame mixer and Colorado Eagles hockey game at the Budweiser Events Center

Cincinnati

Networking reception at the Mulhauser Barn

Cleveland

Reception at the The House of Blues with special guest, former NFL player Steve Sanders

Colorado

Colorado Rockies baseball game at Coors Field

Columbia, SC

High-energy affair held in the Ndoki Lounge of the Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens

Columbus, GA

Reception at the Double Tree hotel

Connecticut

Reception at the Hilton Stamford Hotel with engaging keynote speaker Lee Woodruff

Dallas

Pregame mixer and Texas Rangers baseball game at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington

Des Moines

Family style reception at All Play

Detroit

Reception at Club Amnesia inside The Motor City Casino

Eastern Washington

Networking reception at Coeur D’Alene Resort

Grand Rapids

Reception at the beautiful Frederick Meijer Gardens

Harrisburg

Networking reception at the Sheraton Harrisburg/Hershey Hotel

Hawaii

Reception at The Modern Honolulu Hotel with special guest speaker Dr. Jeremy Moreland, executive dean, School of Advanced Studies

Indianapolis

Exclusive networking reception at Dave and Buster’s

Jackson

Mixer and Mississippi Braves baseball game at Trustmark Park

Little Rock

Pregame mixer and a Travelers baseball game at Dickey Stephens Park

Louisville

Picnic at Cherokee Park

Madison

Reception at the The Brass Ring with guest speaker Michael Johnson, CEO of the Madison Boys and Girls Club

Maryland

Networking reception among the sea life at the Baltimore National Aquarium

Memphis

Reception at Chez Philippe inside the Peabody Hotel

N. Nevada

Pregame mixer and Aces game at the Reno Aces Ballpark

New Mexico

Breakfast at the Albequerque International Balloon Fiesta

North Florida

Casino themed mixer at Latitude 30

Northern Virginia/Washington, D.C.

Reception at The Carlyle Club with guest speaker Barry McCaffrey, USA General (ret.)

Northwest Indiana

Reception on a Mystic Blue Dinner Cruise near Chicago’s Navy Pier

Oklahoma City

Celebration at Red Pin Restaurant and Bowling Lounge

Omaha

Networking event at Sempecks Bowling

Oregon

Networking reception at the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum with guest speaker Stephen Belding, president and CEO, Rose Courier Express

Pittsburgh

Reception at the Sheraton Station Square Hotel

Puerto Rico

Reception at beachside hotel La Concha with comedienne Sunshine and a live salsa band

Raleigh

Reception at the Brier Creek Country Club

Richmond/Virginia Beach

Networking reception at The Contemporary Art Center of Virginia

Sacramento

Reception at the Crocker Art Museum featuring guest speaker celebrity chef Patrick Mulvaney

San Diego

Tailgate barbeque and San Diego Padres baseball game at Petco Park

Savannah

Networking reception at the Hyatt Regency

Shreveport

Reception at the Sci-Port Discovery Center

South Florida

Season opener hockey game at Bank Atlantic Center cheering on the Florida Panthers

Southern Arizona

Reception at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort with guest speaker Suzanne McFarlin, owner of Changing Tides Coaching and Consulting

Springfield

Mixer and Cardinals baseball game at Hammons Park

Tulsa

Reception among the sea life at Tulsa Aquarium

Twin Cities

Mixer and Minnesota Vikings football game at Mall of America Field

Utah

Family friendly event at Lagoon Amusement Park

West Florida

Networking breakfast and fun at Busch Gardens

Wichita

Family style celebration at Alley Bowling