Thousands of alumni and community members will flock to Emory this week for the campus-wide Homecoming celebration. With Emory Street Eats, a rousing parade, a family fun festival, live music by alumni musicians the Indigo Girls and The Shadowboxers, plus so much more, Emory is ready to carry on the “coming home” traditions first started nearly 100 years ago on Alumni Day.
On Saturday, performing live in concert at McDonough Field are Indigo Girls Amy Ray 86C and Emily Saliers 85C. Opening for the Grammy Award-winning duo are The Shadowboxers with founding members Scott Schwartz 11C, Matt Lipkins 11C and Adam Hoffman 11B.
“Homecoming absolutely fills me with pride," says Jennifer Crabb-Kyles 98Ox 00C, president-elect of the Oxford College Alumni Board. "Whether I’m meeting up with classmates again, marching in the parade, or taking in the concert, the entire weekend is just such a good time. The best part is I get to share all of these wonderful Emory traditions with my family.”
For young alumni like Nicholas Sommariva 15C, this year’s celebration takes on new meaning.
“I miss my Emory days already,” says Sommariva, a project analyst at Kingsley Associates. “When I was an undergrad I remember seeing how happy all of the alumni were to be back on campus. Now I understand that feeling. It will be great to be back surrounded by friends and fraternity brothers.”
Homecoming events are open to Emory alumni, students, faculty, staff and other members of the university community.
"We welcome everyone in the Emory community to register and participate in campus-wide events and affinity group get-togethers via the Homecoming website," says Gloria Grevas, director of alumni and student programs at the Emory Alumni Association.
Highlights for Emory Homecoming Weekend
Welcome Centers: Alumni stopping by welcome centers at the Miller-Ward Alumni House or Peavine Parking Deck will get a free T-shirt. Open all weekend.
Thursday, Sept. 24
11 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Golden Alumni Brunch | Miller-Ward Alumni House
Graduates of all of Emory’s schools and units who graduated more than 50 years ago are invited to come together to celebrate and connect with each other. Open to all 50 year or older alumni and their guests. Register here. $15 per person.
Friday, Sept. 25
4:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. | Shaping Leaders through the Liberal Arts: a Conversation with President Wagner | Winship Ballroom, Dobbs University Center
The Coalition of the Liberal Arts and the Emory Alumni Association present President Jim Wagner in conversation with Vicki Arroyo 85C and Kai Ryssdal 85C. Registration required. Open to all. No charge.
6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. | Grand Opening of the Centro Latino | DUC 2nd floor, West Wing
Centro Latino is a new space dedicated to enhancing, celebrating and supporting the Latino Community on campus. Refreshments will be served. Registration required. Open to all. No charge.
8: p.m. - 11 p.m. | Atlanta Young Alumni and Class of 2010 Kickoff Party and Tour | Wild Heaven Brewery
This event is open to all young alumni (2005-2015 from undergraduate or 2005-2015 from professional/graduate schools) for a fun Friday night. Open to all Atlanta young alumni and guests. $20. Registration required for tour reservation. Parking at venue.
Saturday, Sept. 26 – Wear Your Emory Gear Spirit Day
8 a.m. | Homecoming Intramural 5K Run through Lullwater Park | Student Activity & Academic Center, Clairmont Campus
The walk/run will begin outside the Student Activity & Academic Center and run through Lullwater Park. All those interested are encouraged to register online, but walk-ups are also welcome. Onsite registration will be from 7-7:45 a.m. Prizes will be awarded to male and female winners in five age groups (21 and under, 22-29, 30-39, 40-49, and 50 and up). The run is hosted by Powerade and the Emory Alumni Association. There is no charge for Emory University students, faculty/staff, alumni, friends and families.
10 a.m. | Undergraduate Admission General Information Session | Oxford Road Building, 1390 Oxford Road NE, 3rd Floor
Learn about Emory academics, student life, and the admission and financial aid processes. Presentation: 10-11 a.m. Campus tour: 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. Informal Q&A for legacy families: 12:15 p.m. - 1 p.m. Open to the public and alumni with children in high school. No charge. Registration required; please register here.
11 a.m. | Cookie Social | Barnes & Noble Bookstore, Oxford Road Building
Come satisfy your sweet tooth at the bookstore while you browse Emory gifts and apparel. Open to all. No charge.
Noon - 12:30 p.m. | Chemistry Building Dedication and Ribbon Explosion | Atwood Chemistry Center addition
Mark a milestone in the life of Emory College as we celebrate 100 Years on the Atlanta Campus with the dedication of a new collaborative center for chemistry and the sciences. Registration requested. No charge.
Noon - 2 p.m. | Southern Barbecue Lunch | Gambrell Hall, Bacardi Plaza
Enjoy traditional Southern-style barbecue, sides and desserts in a relaxed and casual setting with games, face-painting, a bounce house and other entertainment for children and grandchildren. Registration required. Open to all. $15 per adult, $10 per child.
1:45 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. | Tour of Special Exhibit "Bobby Jones: The Game of Life" | Schatten Gallery, Woodruff Library
Join a guided tour of the exhibition "Bobby Jones: The Game of Life." The exhibition presents the story of legendary golfer and Atlanta native Robert (“Bobby”) Tyre Jones, based on materials drawn from two Jones collections at Emory University’s Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives and Rare Book Library. Open to all. No charge.
1- 5 p.m. | Homecoming Parade, Festival and Concert | McDonough Field & Asbury Circle
Cheer on residence halls, fraternities, sororities and Campus Life organizations at Emory’s Annual Big, Bold, Blue and Gold Homecoming Parade! Registration required. Open to all. No charge. ID required.
1 p.m. Parade
2 p.m. Doors open to the Festival/Concert on McDonough Field. Enjoy music, games, food and fun (and beer or those over 21).
3:30 p.m. Concert, featuring the Indigo Girls and The Shadowboxers
Sunday, Sept. 27
11 a.m. | Barkley Forum Homecoming Brunch | Miller-Ward Alumni House
The Barkley Forum has been, and continues to be, one of the finest debate teams and debate education programs in the country. Celebrate the many accomplishments of the Barkley Forum and connect with old and new friends. Registration required. Open to all Barkley Forum alumni and guests. $20 per person.
2 - 5 p.m. | School of Nursing Alumni & Faculty Family Picnic | Mason Mill Park, 1340 McConnell Drive, Decatur, GA
Join School of Nursing faculty, instructors and alumni for a fun afternoon at the park. Enjoy BBQ, lawn games and time to catch up with classmates and faculty. Open to nursing alumni, faculty, staff and students. $5 per adult; no charge for children 10 and under.
See the full scheduleof Homecoming 2015 events, including information about athletic events, parking, child care, accommodations and registration information. Homecoming is an Emory University Sustainable Event.