Homecoming is an annual event that Mines students and alumni look forward to each year. This year’s festivities will be held on Oct. 5–8 and will feature new and traditional events for Orediggers to come together and show off their Mines pride. “Our theme is ‘Ignite the Night,’” said Mines Activities Council Homecoming and Outreach Chair, Cassidy Steen. “I like the idea of our alumni coming back and igniting their memories and having students come out and ignite their passions.”
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| Photo credit: The Oredigger |
The festivities kick off Wednesday evening with the President’s Distinguished Lecture from none other than Bill Nye the Science Guy. “Everyone is getting so excited,” Steen said. “Bill Nye is the person they grew up with who got them excited about science.” Those who were lucky enough to win a ticket will fill Lockridge Arena located in the Student Rec Center at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 5.
Those who won’t get the chance to attend the Bill Nye’s lecture still have plenty activities to attend, including the ever-popular Oredigger Challenge on Thursday afternoon. Students can get a team together, sign up on the MAC website and compete in field day games for the chance to win the coveted trophy. The Oredigger Challenge will be held from 4–6 p.m. on the North Intramural Fields, located across the street from the Outdoor Recreational Center.
“Everyone loves E-Days so much, and we are really focusing on making Homecoming as big of an event that gets everyone as excited,” said MAC Royalty Chair Meagan Lundgren. “I think that the bonfire is going to be a big part of that.” When asked what she is most looking forward to this year, Steen said, “I am definitely most looking forward to the bonfire, because I think it is going to be a really unique event, and we’ve never really had anything like it here at Mines before.” On Friday evening, students, alumni, faculty and staff will get the chance to enjoy s’mores, play glow-in-the-dark corn hole, meet the 2016 nominees for Homecoming Queen and Beast and, of course, watch the “M” light up in the glow of the first-ever homecoming bonfire, which will be held in parking lot Q beginning at 8 p.m.
To ensure the bonfire is a celebratory event and to add to the excitement of the evening, Orediggers can show their support for Mines athletics and cheer on the women’s soccer and volleyball teams at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. respectively, followed by a pep rally.
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| Photo credit: The Oredigger |
On Saturday, rounding out Homecoming weekend is the much-anticipated parade, tailgate and football game where Mines will take on Azusa Pacific University. Students can build a float and walk in the parade or simply enjoy the show. The parade kicks off at 9 a.m. at the corner of 19th and Cheyenne. View the parade route here. The ever-popular tailgate will follow the parade in parking lot Q, located up the street from the traditional halls, where students can vote for this year’s Homecoming Queen and Beast. Football lovers can then follow the crowd down to Marv Kay Stadium at noon to watch the football game and halftime show, where this year’s Homecoming Queen and Beast will be announced.
As Homecoming weekend draws near, the focus is on bringing students and alumni together to celebrate what it means to be an Oredigger and all that is Colorado School of Mines.
Students can register for all Homecoming events on the MAC website. Alumni registration is now closed, but a full schedule events is available for attendees on the Alumni Association’s website. All attendees can also download a Guidebook app, which contains the 2016 schedule, day-of updates, giveaways and more.
Contact:
Leah Pinkus, Communications Assistant, Colorado School of Mines | 303-273-3088 | lpinkus@mines.edu
Ashley Spurgeon, Editorial Assistant, Mines magazine | 303-273-3959 | aspurgeon@mines.edu
Agata Bogucka, Communications Manager, College of Earth Resource Sciences & Engineering | 303-384-2657 | abogucka@mines.edu
