School spirit abounds with Come Home to OU festival, Jan. 27-29
By Eric Reikowski, media relations assistant
As the first month of the winter semester draws to a close, Oakland University’s spirit-filled homecoming celebration is rapidly approaching.
Set for Jan. 27-29, the annual Come Home to OU festival features honorary alumni co-chairs David Baker Lewis, SBA ’65, and Cameron Brunet-Koch, Ph.D. CAS ’78. Lewis is chairman and founding partner of Lewis & Munday, P.C. and formerly served as director and trustee of the Oakland University Foundation. Dr. Brunet-Koch is president of North Central Michigan College and also has served as director of CIPO and assistant director in the Department of University Housing at OU.
“Homecoming is a wonderful opportunity for alumni and friends to reconnect with the university community,” said Glenn McIntosh, dean and assistant vice president for Student Affairs. McIntosh also co-chairs the Come Home to OU planning committee. “The event is now in its fourth year and has grown into a cherished campus tradition.”
This year’s homecoming includes a wide array of events and activities, starting with an Alumni Welcome Reception from 5-8 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 27, at Meadow Brook Hall, where alumni can reconnect with friends and former classmates while enjoying appetizers and a cash bar. This event is free, but attendees must pre-register at grizzlink.oualumni.com/events.
Later that evening, participants will be treated to a Friday Night Live Comedy Show from 7-9 p.m. in the Campus Recreation Center Pioneer Room. Performer Nick Pike will deliver a fast-paced mix of juggling, acrobatics and laughs. The night will conclude with the time-honored tradition, “Guard the Grizz,” along with the “Snow Bowl” intramural flag football game from 9 p.m. to midnight. A “Car Smash” event is also planned, with all the action taking place outdoors near the Campus Recreation Center.
The P-16 parking lot will be closed from 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 26, through 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28. Parking will be available in the P-18 parking lot for the physically challenged and metered parking. Recommended alternative parking will be in the P-11 parking lot. The P-17 parking lot will also be closed on Saturday, Jan. 28. For more information about parking, view the campus map.
Festivities will continue on Saturday, Jan. 28, with a variety of academic unit open houses to take place throughout the morning. Additionally, the Varsity “O” Reunion of all varsity alumni athletes will be held from noon to 2 p.m. in the Oakland Center to commemorate 47 years of spirited competition and tradition at OU. Other receptions and activities are scheduled, including the OU Student Body Tailgate Party and the Alumni Tailgate Party from noon to 3 p.m. in the P-16 parking lot. Reserved spots will be available in lot P-17 for alumni and special guests, by contacting Tim Dameron at dameron@oakland.edu. The Alumni Association Family Festival will run from 1-3 p.m. in the Campus Recreation Center; Center for Multicultural Initiatives and Black Alumni Social from 1-3 p.m. in the Oakland Center Oakland Room; the OU Housing Reunion from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Vandenberg Hall Cafeteria for hall directors, resident assistants, and housing personnel; and the first-ever Retired OU Faculty and Staff Reception from 2-3 p.m. in the Recreation Center Pioneer Room.
Additionally, men’s and women’s basketball games will take place in the OU Athletics Center (O’rena) from 3:30-8 p.m., followed by OU’s annual Casino Night from 8 p.m. to midnight in the Oakland Center Banquet Rooms. Presented by the Student Program Board and University Housing, the evening is packed with food, music, games and novelty acts, along with a chance to win various prizes.
For a complete listing of homecoming activities and further information about specific events, visit the Come Home to OU website.
OU’s spirit-filled homecoming celebration is set for Jan. 27-29, with the annual Come Home to OU festival.
Created by Katherine Land - Deleted (land@oakland.edu) on Friday, January 20, 2012 Modified by Katherine Land - Deleted (land@oakland.edu) on Wednesday, January 25, 2012 Article Start Date: Wednesday, January 25, 2012
