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University of Southern Mississippi students selected their 2015 homecoming court and Mr. and Miss USM during elections held recently. The homecoming royalty includes front row (sitting) Aleke Vehos, Homecoming Queen; Rachael Luckett, graduate maid; second row (sitting) Mary Blair Ward, Junior Maid; Ashli Lewis, Gulf Coast Maid; third row (standing) Jessica Thompson, Student Body Maid; Betsy Mercier, Senior Maid; back row (standing) Jessica Bourgeois, sophomore Maid; Eboni Thompson, Miss USM; Katrell Lewis, Mr. USM; and Betsy Redfern, Freshman Maid. (Southern Miss photo by Kelly Dunn)
Southern Miss “All In” for Homecoming 2015
Whether you come back each year or are making a special trip to visit your alma mater in 2015, homecoming is a time for alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends to celebrate all things Black and Gold at The University of Southern Mississippi. “Golden Eagles: All In” is the theme for this year’s homecoming week Oct. 12-18.
“I think homecoming is a time that our alumni can rekindle the spirit of their college years,” said Executive Director of the Southern Miss Alumni Association Executive Director Jerry DeFatta. “From a student perceptive, you see that once you complete your student career, it is just beginning of being a Golden Eagle. I hope when they look around and see a certain number of alumni and things and they see that their Golden Eagle experience is just getting started, and that they have a lifetime in this institution.”
The week’s schedule of events is as follows:
*Monday, Oct. 12 – Friday, Oct. 16
Numerous Homecoming Events throughout the week are scheduled for the student body, including a blood drive on Tuesday, Oct. 13 and the traditional Fountain Sit-in Friday, beginning at noon.
*Thursday, Oct. 15
9:30 a.m. The School of Mass Communication and Journalism
The School of Mass Communication and Journalism will celebrate and honor those who have dedicated their careers and lives to community mass communication and journalism on Thursday, October 15. A panel discussion on the importance of community contributions in mass media will be held in Thad Cochran Center 218 from 9:30am to 11:30am, followed at 11:45am by a luncheon (ticketed event) and induction of the School of Mass Communication and Journalism Hall of Fame 2015 honorees. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.usm.edu/mcj.
7:30 p.m. The Southern Opera and Musical Theatre Company presents: “West Side Story” Mannoni Performing Arts Center
*Friday, Oct. 16
8:30 a.m. Shell Finish Line/Alumni Association Homecoming Golf Tournament
Hattiesburg Country Club
All proceeds from golf tournament will benefit the Pierce Legacy Scholarship Endowment to provide scholarships for children and grandchildren of alumni. Visit www.SouthernMissAlumni.com/UpcomingEvents today to reserve your spot!
10 a.m. Dixie Darling Alumnae Refresher Practice
Payne Center | Basketball Court Four
New Dixie Darling alumni will meet at the Payne Center to prepare for Homecoming weekend activities. For more information, contact Melissa Lyman at
usmddalum@yahoo.com.
10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Polymer Science Alumni Event and Homecoming Activities
The first Polymer Science Alumni event will include a symposium honoring the School’s founder and former University President Dr. Shelby Thames. For more information, contact the School of Polymers and High Performance Materials at 601.266.4868.
11:30 a.m. Friday Football Luncheon
Join Head Football Coach Todd Monken for a pre-game luncheon. For more information, visit call 601.266.5017.
1 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Dixie Darling Alumnae Registration
Payne Center | Basketball Court 4
For more information, contact Melissa Lyman at usmddalum@yahoo.com.
1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Dixie Darling Alumnae Practice
Payne Center | Basketball Court 4
For more information, contact Melissa Lyman at usmddalum@yahoo.com.
3:15 p.m. – 5 p.m. Dixie Darling Alumnae and Current Dixie Darlings Practice
Pride Field
For more information, contact Melissa Lyman at usmddalum@yahoo.com.
Tailgate Under the Oaks, Gulf Park Campus South Lawn
Activities 3 – 6 p.m.
Kickoff 6 p.m., South Lawn
6:30 p.m. Alumni Hall of Fame
Thad Cochran Center
The Southern Miss Alumni Association will induct seven outstanding alumni into the Hall of Fame. Contact Rene’ Trigg at 601.266.5013 or rene.trigg@usm.edu for more information.
7 p.m. – 9 p.m. Dixie Darling Alumnae Reunion Dinner
Southern Oaks
The Dixie Darling Alumni will hold a reunion dinner at Southern Oaks House and Gardens. Dress is cocktail/casual attire. For more information, contact Melissa Lyman at Melissa.lyman.@yahoo.com.
7:30 p.m. Southern Opera and Musical Theatre Company presents West Side Story
Mannoni Performing Arts Center
8:30 p.m. Friday Night at the Fountain
Centennial Green
Friday Night at the Fountain kicks off on Centennial Green with the pep rally at 8:30 p.m., featuring the homecoming court, members of the Golden Eagle football team, Seymour, Cheerleaders, and the Dixie Darlings. Following the pep rally there will be a concert. The campus and community are invited.
*Saturday, Oct. 17
8:30 a.m. 20th Annual Homecoming 5K Eagle Run hosted by the Athletic Training Club and School of Kinesiology
Southern Miss Campus
The Athletic Training Club and School of Kinesiology presents the 20th annual Homecoming 5K Eagle Run. Check-in is at 7:30 a.m. with the race beginning at 8:30 a.m. For more information and registration, visit http://www.usm.edu/homecoming/5keaglerun.
11 a.m. Homecoming Parade
The annual Homecoming Parade will feature The Pride, Dixie Darling alumnae and current Dixie Darlings, current and former athletes and members of the Southern Miss student body.
Noon Alumni Association Awards Lunch and Business Meeting
Thad Cochran Center
The Alumni Association will recognize alumni who have given service to their alma mater at this Homecoming day lunch. The event begins at noon and cost is $20 per person. For more information, contact the Alumni Association at 601.266.5013 or rene.trigg@usm.edu.
1 p.m. Dixie Darling Scholarship Presentation
Stout Hall
The Dixie Darlings will present their 2015 scholarship recipient in Stout Hall on Saturday. For more information, please contact Melissa Lyman at Melissa.lyman@yahoo.com.
2:30 p.m. Dixie Darling Alumnae and Current Dixie Darlings Group Picture
College Hall
For more information, please contact Melissa Lyman at Melissa.lyman@yahoo.com.
3 p.m. WUSM Concert Series featuring The Strays at The Centennial Green
Alumni and fans are invited to the WUSM Tailgate Concert prior to the game, featuring the band The Strays. The concert is free and will take place on The Centennial Green at 3 p.m. For More information, visit http://www.southernmissradio.com/tailgate-concert-series.
3 p.m. Jr. Eagle Funland
Free admission for Seymour’s Sidekicks. $5 for non-members, which include unlimited jumps.
3:30-5:30 p.m. Honors College Tailgate Party
All Honors College alumni, faculty, friends and current students are invited. Call 601.266.4533 for more information.
4 p.m. Eagle Walk
Eagle Walk begins on West Memorial Drive. For more information, contact the Department of Athletics at 601.266.5017.
6 p.m. Football – Golden Eagles vs. C-USA rival University of Texas-San Antonio
M.M. Roberts Stadium, “The Rock.” For t
Southern Miss football vs. University of Texas at San Antonio. Kick-off is set for 6 p.m. at M.M. Roberts Stadium, “The Rock.” For tickets or more information, contact the ticket office at 800.844.TICK or www.SouthernMissTickets.com.
*Sunday, Oct. 18
10:30 a.m. African American Alumni Brunch
Thad Cochran Center
To purchase tickets, visit www.SouthernMissAlumni.com/HCBrunch.
2 p.m. Southern Opera and Musical Theatre Company presents “West Side Story”
Mannoni Performing Arts Center
For more information on Southern Miss Homecoming 2015, including updates to the schedule, visit www.usm.edu/homecoming. For more information on any of the Dixie Darlings events listed above, contact Melissa Lyman at usmddalum@yahoo.com.
