‘Brown and Bold: Bringin’ It Home’ is Theme Of SMSU Homecoming Week Oct. 4-10
Published Thursday, September 30, 2021
“Brown & Bold: Bringin’ It Home” is the theme of the 2021 Southwest Minnesota State University Homecoming the week of Oct. 4-10.
Numerous events will be held on campus during the week leading up to Homecoming on Saturday, Oct. 9, including the Mustangs Got Talent competition, residence hall decorating, SMSU Day of Service, door and office decorating, live entertainment, and the king/queen coronation.
Homecoming coronation is at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 7 in the Conference Center Lower Ballroom.
Five alumni will be honored with Alumni Association awards at an 11:30 a.m. luncheon on Friday, Oct. 8 in the Conference Center Upper Ballroom.
Alumni Achievement Awards are presented to alumni in recognition of professional success and the positive reflection made on the university and fellow alumni. This year’s winners include: Posthumously, Michael “Dexter” Cooley, ’78, teacher and coach, Wakefield High School, Raleigh, N.C.; Erin (Mork) Frederiksen ’99, co-owner, Westridge Shores Resort, Alexandria, Minn.; and Todd Werpy, ’85, Senior Vice President and Chief Science Officer, ADM, Chicago, Ill.
The Graduate of the Last Decade (GOLD) Award recognizes a recent graduate with exceptional achievement and contribution to the recipient’s profession, community/society or university. This year’s GOLD Award goes to Lauren (Teal) Squires ’13, Project Specialist, Beacon Health System, South Bend, Ind.
The Honorary Lifetime Membership Award is presented to an individual who is not an SMSU graduate but give their time, talents, and enthusiasm as if they were. This year’s award goes to Gary Frandson, retired Associate Professor of Business Administration, 1969-2007.
Following the Alumni Achievement Award luncheon, President Kumara Jayasuriya will give his annual State of the University address at 2 p.m. in the Conference Center Ballroom. It will be available for viewing on cable TV Spectrum channel 188 and Vast channel 99 (22 digital). It will also be streamed at: www.marshallstudio1tv.com/smsumedialive.
The soccer team entertains Wayne State at 3 p.m., and the nationally-ranked volleyball team takes on Minot State at 6 p.m. The Planetarium will host an 8 p.m. Laser Light Show, and the evening concludes with a 9 p.m. bonfire in Central Field.
For the second year, the annual University Gala will be held virtually the week of Homecoming. Online auction items will be available for bidding, and a series of social media messages will be released leading up to the event. An anonymous donor has provided a $10,000 matching gift opportunity for gifts to the “University Gala Scholarship Fund.” Those wishing to participate, and bid on items, should register at: www.SMSUgala2021.givesmart.com.
The Legacy Homecoming Run 5K/10K will start activities on Saturday, Oct. 9, with 7:30 a.m. registration, and the race starting at 8 a.m. The Veterans Club-sponsored event starts in the Social Science parking lot.
The Homecoming parade will begin at 11 a.m., with the lineup starting at 10 a.m. at the East Lyon/Jewett Streets checkpoint. The parade will run its usual route, from Lyon St. to Main St., then north, disbanding at 5th St. Contact Scott Ewing, 507-537-6394, for parade details.
The parade can be viewed Spectrum channel 188, Vast channel 99 (22 digital). It will also be streamed at: www.marshallstudio1tv.com/smsumedialive.
An alumni parade hospitality tent featuring breakfast paninos will be located at the corner of Main St. and East College Dr., at Memorial Park, starting at 10:45 a.m.
The Charter Class of 1971 will hold a reunion at 1 p.m. in the Alumni Heritage Gallery in the Student Center.
A Homecoming Tailgate and Family Fun Fest will be held from 3-5 p.m. in the Green Lot and the area along Mustang Drive, south of the field. It will feature family games and entertainment.
The Homecoming football game begins at 5 p.m. and will feature the Mustangs taking on the University of Sioux Falls at the Schwan’s Regional Event Center.
An Alumni Social will be held from 8-10 p.m. at the Wooden Nickel.
The weekend will conclude with the SMSU soccer team taking on the Augustana at 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 10 at the Schwan’s Regional Event Center.
Throughout the week donations will be accepted at the Mustang Market, BA 161. There will also be a medallion hunt starting on Oct. 4. Follow @VisitMarshall and @SMSUtoday for clues.
You can receive great discounts at participating Marshall businesses Oct. 7-9 by showing your Golden Ticket and wearing Mustang gear. Golden tickets are available in the Mustang app. Search “SMSU Athletics” in the App Store, or GooglePlay.
The week’s schedule of events:
Monday, October 4
9:00 AM
Donut Drop
Sponsored by Graduate Studies Office
Student Center Upper Level
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Stampede Feed
Sponsored by Chartwells - Residential Restaurant
Tuesday, October 5
King & Queen Voting Opens
8:00 PM
Candidates Night
Hypnotist, Evan Gambardella, PE Gym
Wednesday, October 6
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
2021 SMSU Day of Service, "Mustangs Give"
Check-in at Founders Hall Lobby
Service at various parks and outdoor sites throughout Marshall
Sign-up encouraged for 2-hour block: https://www.smsu.edu/go/mustangsgive
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Mustangs Got Talent Tryouts
Conference Center Upper Ballroom
3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
International Coffee Hour
Student Center 237
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
SMSU Family Picnic
Student Center Upper Level
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Mustangs Got Talent Finals
Conference Center Upper Ballroom
Thursday, October 7
9:00 AM
Residence Hall Spirit Decorating Judging
10:00 AM
Office and Door Decorating Judging
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
VIP Shopping Event
Barnes & Noble Campus Bookstore, Student Center
6:30 PM
Coronation
Singer/Songwriter Luke LeBlanc
Conference Center Lower Ballroom
8:30 PM
Take 2 Improv
FA Blackbox Theatre
Friday, October 8
8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
SMSU Foundation Board Meeting
Conference Center Lower Level Ballroom
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Mustang Mentorship Program Meet & Greet
Center for Civic & Community Engagement (BA 161)
11:30 AM
Alumni Achievement Awards Luncheon
Conference Center Upper Ballroom
2:00 PM
State of the University Address
President Kumara Jayasuriya
Conference Center Upper Ballroom
3:00 PM
SMSU Alumni Board Meeting
Student Center 206, 207, 249
3:00 PM
SMSU Soccer vs. Wayne State
Schwan's Regional Event Center
6:00 PM
SMSU Volleyball vs. Minot State
PE Gym
6:00 PM
Virtual University Gala
8:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Laser Light Show
SMSU Planetarium (Limited Seating)
9:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Bonfire - Sponsored by STAT
Central Field
Saturday, October 9
Legacy Homecoming Run 5K/10K
7:30 AM - Registration
8:00 Am - Race begins
Sponsored by the Veterans Club
Social Science Parking Lot
7:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Farmers Market
Parking Lot Between YMCA & Schwan’s
10:00 AM
Campus Tours
Founders Hall
10:00 AM
Parade Line-Up
East Lyon/Jewett Streets Checkpoint
Contact: Scott Ewing, 507-537-6384
10:45 AM
Alumni Parade Hospitality Tent
Featuring Breakfast Paninos
Memorial Park, Corner of Main Street and E. College Dr.
11:00 AM
Homecoming Parade
Lyon Street to Main Street to 5th Street
Contact: Scott Ewing, 507-537-6384
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Planetarium Star Show
SMSU Planetarium (Limited Seating)
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Charter Class Reunion
Alumni Heritage Gallery
Student Center Upper Level
1:00 PM
SMSU Volleyball vs. Mary
PE Gym
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Homecoming Tailgate & Family Fun Fest
Green Lot
5:00 PM
Homecoming Game
SMSU vs. Sioux Falls
Schwan's Regional Event Center
8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Alumni Social
Wooden Nickel
Sunday, October 10
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Alumni Brunch
Residential Restaurant
1:00 PM
SMSU Soccer vs. Augustana
Schwan's Regional Event Center
All Week of Homecoming
Mustang Market Donations: Donate new toiletry and non-perishable food items at the Mustang Market (Bellows Academic 161 or Foundation Offices). All items will be re-distributed to students that have a need. Items that are in short supply: shelf-stable tortillas, toothpaste, shaving cream, diverse hair care items, fragrance-free personal care and cleaning products, pre-bagged snacks, tampons, facial wash and moisturizer, winter hats, scarves, mittens, socks, and washcloths.
Marshall Medallion Hunt: Explore Marshall while hunting for SMSU's Medallion. Beginning October 4th, ending when found, or October 9th.
Golden Ticket: Redeemable at participating Marshall businesses Thursday, October 8th to Saturday, October 10th! Present your Golden Ticket while wearing SMSU gear to receive the deals.
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