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Homecoming 2024 celebration unites ESU alumni, students and community

by Brian Osbourn

Emporia, KS (09/13/2024) — Emporia State University kicks off Homecoming 2024 by welcoming alumni, students and the Emporia community to participate in numerous exciting activities. Attendees will recall old memories and make some new ones as generations unite to celebrate their Hornet pride.

Events begin Thursday, Oct. 3, with the annual Sam E. and Jeannene Hayes Lecture and conclude with a matinee performance of the Homecoming musical "She Loves Me" at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6.

Featured reunion groups include Emporia Connection, band/cheer/Stingers, volleyball and the KSTC Alumni Class of 1974, this year's 50-year reunion class.

The revamped Homecoming Parade will be Saturday, Oct. 5, at 10 a.m. on Commercial Street.

Baseball and Softball Alumni Weekend will be Oct. 11 to 13.

Here is a full list of events; unless a price is noted, events are free.

Thursday, Oct. 3

  • Sam E. and Jeannene Hayes Lecture featuring Dennis Brockman, senior vice president of U.S. Operations for Starbucks, Memorial Union, Webb Hall, 7 p.m.
  • Homecoming Musical, "She Loves Me," King Hall, Karl C. Bruder Theatre, 7:30 p.m. emporia.edu/tickets

Friday, Oct. 4

  • Phi Delta Theta Alumni Pole Sit, 12th Avenue and Commercial Street, 10 a.m. to 10 a.m. Saturday.
  • Athletics Hall of Honor Lunch, Memorial Union, Webb Hall, Noon. $40/person. emporia.edu/tickets
  • Black and Gold Gala Progressive Reception, Memorial Union, 4:30 p.m. $30/person. Reservation deadline is Sept. 23.
  • ESU Volleyball vs Pitt State, White Auditorium, 6 p.m.
  • Black and Gold Gala Dinner, Memorial Union, Webb Hall, 7 p.m. $30/person. Reservation deadline is Sept. 23.
  • Homecoming Musical "She Loves Me," King Hall, Karl C. Bruder Theatre, 7:30 p.m. emporia.edu/tickets
  • Homecoming Bonfire/Hornet Rally, Wilson Park, 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 5

  • Band/Cheer/Stingers Reunion Practice, Welch Stadium, 8 a.m.
  • Black and Gold Visit Day (prospective students), ESU campus, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
  • Black and Gold Day Campus Tour (alumni and students), Memorial Union, Webb Hall, 9 a.m.
  • Alumni Breakfast, Memorial Union, Main Street, 8:30 to 10 a.m.
  • CyROC Open House, Cremer Hall, fifth floor, 9 a.m. to Noon.
  • Esports Open House, Cremer Hall, first floor, 9 a.m. to Noon.
  • Phi Sigma Kappa Annual Meeting, Memorial Union, Roe R. Cross Room, 10 a.m. to Noon.
  • ESU Volleyball Alumni Game, White Auditorium, 10 to 11:30 a.m.
  • Sigma Tau Gamma Delta Chapter Annual Alumni Meeting, Sigma Tau Gamma House, 10 a.m.
  • Homecoming Parade, Commercial Street to ESU campus, 10 a.m.
  • Hornet Walk, Feltner Union Square to Welch Stadium, 11 a.m.
  • The Teachers College Party on the Patio, Visser Hall patio (east side), 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • ESU Volleyball Alumni Meet with Team, White Auditorium, 11:30 a.m. to Noon.
  • Sigma Tau Gamma Homecoming Luncheon, Sigma Tau Gamma House, 11:30 a.m.
  • Live at the Hive presented by Bud Light, south of ESU Kossover Tennis Complex, Noon to 1:45 p.m. $40/person, includes food and drink. emporia.edu/tickets
  • ESU Football vs. Northeastern State, Welch Stadium, 2 p.m. emporia.edu/tickets
  • Band/Cheer/Dance Perform at halftime, Welch Stadium, 2 p.m.
  • Sigma Phi Epsilon Alumni Get Together, Sig Ep House, 415 East 12th Avenue, 6 to 9 p.m.
  • Phi Delta Theta Dinner, Casa Ramos, 7 p.m.
  • ESU Volleyball vs. Newman, White Auditorium, 7 p.m.
  • Homecoming Musical "She Loves Me," King Hall, Karl C. Bruder Theatre, 7:30 p.m. emporia.edu/tickets

Sunday, October 6

  • Homecoming Musical "She Loves Me," King Hall, Karl C. Bruder Theatre, 2 p.m. emporia.edu/tickets

For more information about Homecoming and to register for events, go to www.emporia.edu/homecoming.

About Emporia State University

Emporia State University offers a range of academic programs through its institute and seven schools: Applied Health Sciences, Business & Technology, Humanities & Social Sciences, Interdisciplinary Studies, Library and Information Management & Library and Archives, Science & Mathematics and Visual and Performing Arts, along with The Teachers College.

As the sole public university in Kansas to be recognized as a College of Distinction for eight consecutive years, ESU stands out for its innovative education practices. It ensures accessible education by offering in-state tuition rates to full-time undergraduate students from all lower-48 United States. Additionally, full-time undergraduates benefit from flat-rate tuition - students enrolled in 12 or more credit hours with at least one credit hour on campus pay a flat rate.

For more information on how to build your future at Emporia State University, please visit www.emporia.edu.

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