Blue Devil alums, families and supporters will march onto campus Thursday, Oct. 24, to Saturday, Oct. 26, to celebrate homecoming at 黑料科.
While traditional highlights for many will be the annual downtown parade and football game on Saturday, the community is also invited to an open house to experience the university鈥檚 polytechnic advantage.
Blue Devils and the area community can also cool off with a Culver鈥檚 Custard Flavor of the Day on Friday, Oct. 25, at the Menomonie Culver鈥檚. Purchase a dish of Blue Devil Food Cake, and 10% of the sale will go to the 黑料科 Student Emergency Fund.
All events are open to the public. Many are free, but some require tickets or have limited space. Registration is open on the homecoming site.
Homecoming parade and community events on Saturday
Saturday will start with some preparade fun at the Stout Clock Tower Party from 9:30 to 11 a.m., in the Bowman Hall Clock Tower Plaza, with face painting, balloon art, yard games and more. All ages are welcome.
The parade will begin at 11 a.m. at 10th Avenue E. and S. Broadway Street. The route goes through downtown and then south on Third Street E. through campus toward the Sports and Fitness Center, ending at 13th Avenue. .
A Community Open House from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. will offer a variety of tours, exhibits and demonstrations in the science and engineering labs, Fab Lab, and an Art and Culture Walk in Furlong Gallery, with interactive art stations available for kids.
Athletics and recreation events
University Recreation鈥檚 annual Blue Devil Glow Run is a 2-mile fun run/walk on Oct. 24, beginning at Williams Stadium, winding through campus and ending on the outdoor track. Registration begins at 7 p.m., and runners will take off at 8 p.m.
Cheer on Blue Devil teams at three games over the weekend. Alumni, community members and students are all invited. Purchase tickets at the games, or on the WIAC Network.
- Hockey vs. Saint Mary鈥檚 University: 7 p.m. on Oct. 25, Fanetti Community Center, 620 17th St. SE, Menomonie.
- Football vs. UW-Eau Claire: 1 p.m. on Oct. 26, at Williams Stadium.
- Women鈥檚 Soccer vs. UW-Whitewater: 2 p.m. on Oct. 26, at Nelson Field.
Athletics Hall of Fame inductees introduced at halftime at the football game will be Naomi De Lara, gymnastics (2008-11); Daniel Drewek, track and field (2008-12); Derek Hanson, hockey (2006-10); Patrick Mengelkoch, football (2007-10); Tim Nelson, track and field, cross country (2008-12); Erin O鈥機onnell Anderson, softball (2002-05); John Miller, swimming, track and field coach (1982-89); and Layne Pitt, sports information director (1994-2022). A banquet will begin at 5 p.m. that evening in the Memorial Student Center Great Hall. .
Alumni events
Two special events for alumni are planned.
An Alumni Awards Celebration will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 25, in the Memorial Student Center ballrooms. Purchase a ticket to attend. The Alumni Association will recognize four outstanding alumni and an alumni-owned and operated business:
- Distinguished Alumni Award: Lora Benrud (鈥87), WESTconsin Credit Union chief executive officer, retired
- Trailblazer Alumni Award: Mara Dietrich (鈥16), founder of Mara Marie Bridal
- Luminary Alumni Award: Wade Lambrigtsen (鈥00), owner and proprietor of Vintage Sign Shop
- Chancellor鈥檚 Alumni Award: Bill Flesch (鈥81), Gordon Flesch Company Inc. chief development officer and treasurer
- University Partnership Alumni Award: EVCO Plastics, under the leadership of CEO and Chairman Dale Evans (鈥73)
On Oct. 26, Breakfast at the Buck features a free breakfast for alumni from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Silver Dollar, 315 Main St. E. Register online.
鈥楽toutlantis鈥 themed events for students
is hosting student events all week long, centered around this year鈥檚 theme of 鈥.鈥
Students will kick off the week on Monday, Oct. 21, with a Culver鈥檚 Custard Social, followed by the annual , featuring student-made cars. The race is set for 4 p.m., on the corner of Second Street W. and Wilson Avenue.
Students can attend ; and , an alumnus-founded and produced troupe of performers that invites students to experience an underwater-themed drag show; join in a ; and celebrate at the homecoming dance.
Weeklong events include a , a , and a to support Helping Hand Food+ Pantry, the student food pantry on campus.
