Homecoming to feature Biology anniversary

More than 1,000 alumni and emeriti faculty and staff will return to SUNY Fredonia for Homecoming weekend, Friday and Saturday, Oct. 5 and 6, to enjoy a wide range of activities, musical performances, athletic contests and assorted reunions.

“Everyone is really excited,” said Patricia Feraldi, director of Alumni Affairs. “We do offer quite a few different venues, from athletic to cultural to educational – the whole gamut, so hopefully everyone will have a good time and see many, many good friends. We try to offer a variety of events to appeal to everyone.”

The popular Fredonia Jazz Ensemble reunion concert, which takes place Friday at 7 p.m., is expected to pack the Juliet J. Rosch Recital Hall. Another crowd favorite, Friday’s pep rally at 5 p.m. at the Williams Center, is also drawing great interest, Ms. Feraldi said. “A number of students are running for homecoming king and queen, and students will find out who won at the pep rally.”

“Fredonia Goes Back to the 1960s” is the theme of the rally.

Other Friday highlights include a student barbecue, 7 to 9 p.m., outside of the Williams Center; “Random Acts,” student improv comedy, at the 1891 Fredonia Opera House, 8 p.m.; and an all-alumni get-together at the White Inn’s University Room, beginning at 9 p.m.

Athletic contests on Friday include men’s soccer, versus Oswego, at 4 p.m. at the new University Stadium, and the women’s volleyball invitational, beginning at 4 p.m., at Dods Hall.

The annual Alumni Awards Luncheon will be held Saturday at noon in the Williams Center. Cathy (Calannio) Marion, a 1979 graduate now living in Houston, Texas, will receive the Outstanding Achievement Award. Ms. Marion, an alumna of Falconer Central School, graduated from SUNY Fredonia with a degree in Psychology with honors and was a member of the Psi Chi Honor Society. She has worked extensively in the fields of public relations, event planning and corporate publications, and has published articles devoted to health, crime, beauty, design, lifestyle and women’s issues. She and her husband, Jesse, founded the Marion Foundation to support worthy causes that address children’s issues, the arts, health and animal welfare. Ms. Marion is currently writing a book on charitable giving and also working on other writing, philanthropic and design projects in the U.S. and Canada.

The program will also feature the presentation of the first Michael J. Livingston Memorial Scholarship, created to honor the 1989 graduate. The classes of 1967, 1972, 1977, 1987 and 2002 will be recognized for their respective anniversaries. Science teachers who are graduates of SUNY Fredonia will also be recognized.

A free concert by the Pyramid Band, an alumni ensemble comprised of graduates from the early 1990s, will play big band music following the luncheon, also at the Williams Center, 1:30 to 3 p.m. The Octoberfest picnic will be held at the Dods Hall grove, 2 to 4 p.m.

The Rho Chi chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, the men’s music fraternity, will present a Founder’s Day concert at the Rosch Recital Hall at 7 p.m. The organization also hosts a members’ only luncheon on Saturday at Café G, Williams Center.

Individual gatherings on campus Saturday include: Golden Alumni Breakfast for the Class of 1957 and all prior classes, 8:30 a.m., Alumni House; College of Education Friends Group Steering Committee meeting, 10 a.m, Foundation House; College of Education gathering, 11 a.m., Foundation House tent; School of Business luncheon/reception, noon, W103 Thompson Hall; Biology department 45th anniversary reception, 4 p.m., Café G, Williams Center; Leadership Program alumni reception, 4 p.m., S-120 Williams Center; Class of 1967, Alumni House, 6 p.m.; and Class of 1982, Foundation House tent, at 5 p.m. Passion Works will perform at the tent at 8 p.m.

The women’s volleyball invitational continues on Saturday at 10 a.m., Dods Hall. An alumni men’s baseball game will be played at noon at Ludwig Field, and an alumni soccer match at 4 p.m. at University Stadium.

Off-campus gatherings will be hosted by the Communication department, Union Board of Governors and Class of 1997. Other classes expected to stage evening reunions at downtown establishments include: 1962, 1972, 1977, 1987, 1992 and 2002.

Registration and ticket pickup on Friday runs from 1 to 8 p.m. at the Alumni House, and on Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Williams Center. The bookstore will be open Friday, 5 to 8 p.m., and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Campus tours on Saturday begin at 10 a.m. at the Williams Center.