Come Home to OU celebration to bring spirit, festivities Jan. 25-26

As temperatures drop and snow begins to fall, Oakland University’s spirit-filled homecoming celebration moves closer to the horizon. Set for Jan. 25-26, the annual Come Home to OU festival features honorary alumni co-chairs Joseph Angileri, SBA ’80, president and COO of Compuware Corporation and Jacqueline Long, SON ’81, who served on the OU Board of Trustees from 2004-2012.

“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 fifth year and has grown into a cherished campus tradition.”

This year’s celebration includes a wide array of events, starting with the Alumni Welcome Reception from 5-8 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 25 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 7-8 p.m. in the Vandenberg Hall Cafeteria. Popular illusionist and “corporate magician” Joseph Tran will wow the crowd with a fresh mix of innovative magic tricks, illusions and comedy acts. Presented by the Residence Halls Association, this event is free and refreshments will be provided.

The night will conclude with the annual “Guard the Grizz” and “Car Smash” events from 10 p.m. – midnight at the hallowed Grizz Statue located outside the Recreation and Athletics Center. 

 
Festivities will continue on Saturday, Jan. 26, with a series of social events, including the OU Student Body Tailgate Party, Fraternities and Sororities Alumni Reunion and the Varsity O Reunion from 1-4:30 p.m. in the P-16 parking lot. Additionally, the Center for Multicultural Initiatives and Black Alumni Social will be held from 1-4 p.m. in the Oakland Center Gold Rooms. 

The day will also feature the OU Alumni Association’s annual Family Festival from 2-4:30 p.m. in the Campus Recreation Center, where attendees can enjoy inflatable attractions like the bounce house and bungee run, get their black and gold on at the face-painting booth and fill up on a tailgate-style food buffet. Later, music enthusiasts can enjoy a unique blend of ethnic musical traditions during the Southpaw Isle Steel Band Concert set for 8 p.m. in Varner Recital Hall. The group will present many original compositions drawing on a wide range of genres, including American jazz, Brazilian Samba and Trinidadian calypso. Admission is $8 for students and $14 for the general public. 

The evening will continue with card games, slot machines and other games during Casino Night, which runs from 7:30 p.m. through midnight. An assortment of raffle prizes will be up for grabs and various musicians and novelty acts will liven up the atmosphere.

For a complete listing of homecoming activities and events, visit the website at oakland.edu/comehome.