“Homecoming was a huge success,” declared Brian Breittholz, assistant vice president for Alumni Relations. “The many activities ’on and beyond’ campus, and our partnership with Student Affairs manifested itself with record levels of student and alumni engagement.”
Close to 50 activities were hosted throughout the week focused on building school spirit and reconnecting alumni with one another, with their colleges, and with the University as a whole.
The 25th Annual Distinguished Alumni Awards packed Wolstein with more than 500 attendees. The second annual Grand Marshal Luncheon was a success, and Grand Marshal Dr. Julian Earls provided interesting and entertaining remarks. Dr. Earls also led the parade from Krenzler Field east bound on Chestnut, ending on the front lawn of Mather Mansion for the VikeFest Celebration.
Throughout the week our colleges hosted activities including receptions to brown-bag classes, to building and facility tours. “We’re looking forward to expanding the college activities in the future with more options planned during breakfast and lunchtimes,” Breittholz added.
A variety of reunions took place during Homecoming including one of former Cauldron staffers, men’s and women’s swimming, and the Levin Leadership Academy Reunion which ‘graduated’ more than 500 from their program. The Cauldron reunion featured a panel discussion on the future of journalism, while the swimmers enjoyed the benefits of their fund raising efforts enhancing the aquatics experience at CSU.
“We believe that the future of Homecoming at CSU will include more small-group reunions representing everything from athletic teams, to academic cohorts, to fraternities and sororities,” said Breittholz. “No one wants to come back to celebrate a reunion and walk into a room filled of unfamiliar faces,” he added. “Our goal is to help sponsor multiple group reunions each Homecoming.”
