Catch the spirit of Homecoming 2006

Emory freshman defender Kim Grelli heads the the ball away from a University of Chicago opponent earlier this season. Action like this--two soccer double headers over the weekend--is just one of the many fun activities offered this Homecoming 2006.The schedule runs through Sunday, October 29.

Photo by Kay Hinton

Road trip.

There is perhaps no other phrase that best illustrates the freedom that goes with being a college student. Jumping into a car to get away for a weekend’s adventure—or blowing off Friday class and hitting the road a day early (not that we would ever advocate or condone skipping class)—can instill memories as strong as any that come to pass in a freshman residence hall or hanging out on the Quad.

For Emory alumni, there is no better way to reconnect to their alma mater than a road trip to campus during this week’s Homecoming 2006, October 25–29. Blowing off work on Friday and hitting the road a day early (not that we would ever advocate or condone lost production) would mean that much more time celebrating Emory.

Tens of thousands of Emory alumni live within a four-hour drive of campus (four hours being a nice round number as well as one that can be driven in relative comfort without stopping for food or to visit the restroom). A half-day drive is a small sacrifice for memories that will last a lifetimee.

There is something for everyone at Emory Homecoming 2006. Reunions of the Classes of 1976, 1981 and 1991 (which also include invitees from classes immediately before and after those years) are just some of the special events.

A revived Wonderful Wednesday (a beloved tradition from 1967–82) kicked off the five-day celebration on Oct. 25. Thursday is highlighted by the Emory Spirit Parade through campus, which leads into the annual Mr. and Ms. Emory Contest.

The weekend, though, is when things really get started. Friday features include:
• The Birdies for Eagles Golf Tournament at Stone Mountain.
• A career-coaching seminar sponsored by the Emory Career Network.
• “The Poet and the Pianist,” a performance blending verse and music.
• Jake’s Open House, a family Halloween party.
• Soccer double header vs. University of Rochester.

Saturday features:
• Campus tours.
• A sorority reunion brunch and tour of the new Sorority Village.
• Alumnae and Women of Emory (AWE) tea with Debbie Wagner.
• Classes Without Quizzes featuring Ken Stein, Schatten Professor of Contemporary Middle Eastern History and Israeli Studies.
• Tavern on the Green, a casual alumni and student networking event, followed by a concert from Reel Big Fish.

Homecoming concludes on Sunday with:
• A pregame pancake brunch followed by a soccer double header vs. Case Western Reserve University.
• A reception for the Alumni Travel Program.
• Classes Without Quizzes featuring Marshall Duke, Candler Professor of Psychology.

Birmingham, Savannah, Charlotte, Chattanooga, Macon, Columbus, Huntsville, Nashville (if you duck rush hour) are all a half-day trip away. We’ve checked the calendar. Nothing is going on this weekend in any of those places. (Actually, we didn’t really check the calendars, but Emory Homecoming is much more fun than anything that could possibly be going on there.)

The bullets above are just a handful of the events Homecoming 2006 has to offer. The full schedule, complete with detailed descriptions of each event, is on the EAA website at www.alumni.emory.edu/2006/homecoming/schedule.htm.
Register now and catch the spirit during Homecoming 2006!—Eric Rangus, Emory Alumni Association