As in previous years, the 2015 Homecoming and Family Weekend offers activities for the whole family. Photo: Wayne Armstrong
Alumni and faculty writers — including historical novelist Sandra Dallas and Kristen Iversen, author of the Colorado Book Award-winning “Full Body Burden: Growing Up in the Nuclear Shadow of Rocky Flats” — will take part in “Book Chat at the Book Stack,” one of several new additions to this year’s Homecoming and Family Weekend.
“We want to make homecoming a must-attend event for alumni, friends, parents, students and people in the Denver community by providing access to all the incredible things that happen on campus that people might not know about,” says Franny Starkey, director of events and programs for the Office of Alumni Relations. “One example is the Book Stack, a 40,0000-volume discounted bookstore in Mary Reed. We are highlighting that by bringing in five authors who have DU connections. They will be reading from and signing their latest work.”
Running Oct. 16–17 on campus, the 2015 Homecoming and Family Weekend also includes volleyball, hockey and soccer games, an all-alumni barbecue, student-led campus art tours and a presentation from Chancellor Rebecca Chopp on the future of the University.
“Homecoming is the best time to come back to campus and explore the University at every level, whether it’s reconnecting with friends at the All-Alumni Barbecue, rediscovering your favorite place to eat lunch at Taste of DU or showing off this beautiful campus to your family,” Starkey says. “It’s a chance to rediscover college life and feel proud about where DU is and where it’s going.”
The biggest change this year, Starkey says, is that two of the most popular Homecoming events are being combined into one big outdoor party featuring family activities and samples of food from neighborhood restaurants.
“Pioneer Fest — this year called Pio-Palooza — and Taste of DU are traditionally our two most popular events,” Starkey says. “Taste of DU always sells out, so by bringing the two together on Driscoll Green, we are giving everyone the chance to enjoy what’s great about Taste while having plenty of activities to keep the whole family entertained.”
Highlights of the weekend are listed below; visit the alumni website for a full schedule of events and to register.
Book Chat at the Book Stack — weekend-long series of author events on Carnegie Green, featuring Helen Thorpe, author of “Soldier Girls” (11 a.m. Oct. 16); poet and faculty member Bin Ramke (1 p.m. Oct. 16); faculty member Clark Davis, author of “It Starts With Trouble: William Goyen and the Life of Writing” (2:30 p.m. Oct. 16); alumna Sandra Dallas (BA ’60), author of “The Last Midwife” (noon Oct. 17); and alumna Kristen Iversen (MA ’91, PhD ’96), author of “Full Body Burden: Growing Up in the Nuclear Shadow of Rocky Flats” (1:30 p.m. Oct. 17).
Gymnastics Open House — 3–5 p.m. Oct. 16, Gates Field House, Ritchie Center. Meet the Denver gymnastics team and enjoy exhibitions, a question and answer session and more.
All-Alumni Barbecue — 5–7:30 p.m. Oct. 16, Driscoll Green. Western-themed event featuring food, games and live music.
Volleyball vs. Oral Roberts — 7 p.m. Oct. 16, Hamilton Gymnasium, Ritchie Center.
Hockey vs. Michigan State — 7:30 p.m. Oct. 16 and 7 p.m. Oct. 17, Magness Arena, Ritchie Center.
Chopp Talk — 8–10 a.m. Oct. 17, Cable Center. The Chancellor brings her Chopp Talk Tour to campus, where she will talk about her vision for the University and listen to audience feedback during an extended Q&A session.
Women’s Swimming and Diving vs. Omaha — noon Oct. 17, El Pomar Natatorium, Ritchie Center.
Pio-Palooza and Taste of DU — 2:30–6:30 p.m. Oct. 17, Driscoll Green. Outdoor carnival with games, live entertainment and family activities, followed by sampling of food from local restaurants.
Men’s Soccer vs. University of Nebraska-Omaha — 7 p.m. Oct. 17, Pioneer Stadium, Ritchie Center.