Homecoming is just around the corner and the ETSU Alumni Association, like in years past, will be busy with activities to bring alumni and friends together.
“Homecoming is a big celebration year in and year out for not just the students but for alumni and friends to get together who haven’t seen each other,” said Robert Plummer, associate vice president for University Advancement and executive director of the ETSU National Alumni Association.
One activity that the alumni association will continue this year is the “Alumni Return to the Classroom,” which he said has been successful and informative in the past.
In this activity, alumni members speak to or teach classes in the department from which they have graduated.
The alumni association will begin this year’s homecoming activities with the “Return to the Classroom” at 8 a.m. on Nov. 3.
This program has two benefits, according to Plummer.
The first being that it allows students to see people who have been through the same program they are in, and secondly it gives them the opportunity to see what career options the graduates have chosen.
The faculty will also benefit from the experience of the alumni in their classroom and from financial support given by alumni.
“This activity has been going on for 15-16 years,” Plummer said. “It’s been an excellent program, very meaningful for the university. There is no greater compliment than for a person to come back and speak at their alma mater.”
Another activity that has been successful and is in its 25th year of existence is the “Luncheon Under the Tent.”
This activity is held Saturday morning before the Homecom-ing football game.
“This has been very successful in the past,” Plummer said. “People always want to see friends and former class members who they don’t expect to see.”
During this activity, several ETSU groups entertain the alumni and friends.
Some include the ETSU Marching Band, the Pride Band, the dance team and the cheerleaders.
The alumni association’s “Luncheon Under the Tent” will be held Nov. 4 from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the Amphitheater.
After the luncheon, alumni and friends go to the Home-coming football game.
Homecoming week also provides former class members with class reunions of 10-40 year intervals.
“We make special attention to alert folks of the upcoming class reunions,” Plummer said.
“Folks come back and enjoy seeing former class members who they haven’t seen in a while.”
This year’s reunions for the classes of 1960, 1970, 1980 and 1990 will be held Nov. 4, from 9:30-11 a.m. in the Reece Museum.
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