Homecoming Events Spark New Memories, Rekindle Warm Recollections

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Return to Issue of Nov. 2, 2009

This year’s Homecoming celebration on Oct. 10 kicked off the yearlong Centennial Celebration. More than 70 events took place during the week, including the Homecoming football game and related festivities such as the annual parade, the Bowman 5K Cup Race and numerous student-centered events in many colleges and departments.

Homecoming is a time to celebrate traditions and welcome alumni back to their alma mater. There was no better place on the university calendar to kick off the 100-year anniversary festivities than during this annual series of spirited events. The Centennial Celebration will continue until Homecoming 2010, with special events already on the calendar and many still in the works.

“The whole weekend was great, especially Saturday, from the Bowman Cup to the Homecoming game,” says Nancy Schiappa, associate director of Alumni Relations.

To make the Centennial as festive as possible, new events were developed, and old favorites received enhancements. Many of the floats in the parade exhibited the Centennial Celebration spirit. A black squirrel decorating contest was new this year, and an office decorating contest challenged faculty and staff to imaginative heights using the Centennial theme.

Thursday, Oct. 8, was the kickoff to the Centennial Celebration. The day’s events included the launch of Kent State University’s Centennial fundraising campaign. The private event included more than 400 partygoers who enjoyed performances by 110 Kent State performing arts students . Speakers included Ron Pizzuti, Centennial Campaign chair, and Barry Fetterman, president of the Kent State University Foundation Board of Directors.

Rededications of renovated Kent State landmarks struck a nostalgic note. The rededication of the Prentice Gate and Ritchie Hall both took place during the weekend. So that each returning alumnus could put their stamp on the celebration, the Alumni Association created a banner for alumni to sign . The banner will now travel to events through the year so more alumni can be a small part of the Centennial year.

Larry Disbro ,’71, attended this year’s festivities. He enjoyed seeing old friends and swapping stories. He said the parade was excellent as were the continental breakfast at the Williamson Alumni Center and the luncheon in the Flash FanZone prior to the game.

Disbro and his wife, Sandy, served as parade judges this year. As with many former Golden Flashes, the couple has a list a reasons why they come back for Homecoming.

“First of all, my wife, Sandy, and I met at Kent State. And every time we return, it brings back those good memories,” says Disbro. “Second, Kent State provided me with a great education! I learned skills for my profession and made lifelong friends along the way. Being in a fraternity taught me leadership and interpersonal skills.

“Kent State was good to me and I enjoy being back on campus,” he says.

Schiappa says that all of the planning subcommittees that spent most of 2009 planning for Homecoming received positive feedback and all felt the weekend went well.

Both Schiappa and Disbro agreed that the weekend was extremely entertaining, including wonderful weather, few glitches and enthusiastic crowds. Alumni returned to Kent State from as far away as Nebraska, Kansas and Florida to celebrate Kent State’s first century, and to kick off the next in grand style.

By Stephanie Mathias

Return to Issue of Nov. 2, 2009