Emporia State University is celebrating Homecoming this week, which includes annual traditions, athletic events, and a host of social gatherings. One annual tradition is the 2015 ESU Theatre Homecoming scholarship musical, and this year ESU Theatre presents “South Pacific.”
Featuring one of the most beloved scores of the musical stage, “South Pacific” is based upon the Pulitzer-prize winning “Tales of the South Pacific” by James A. Michener. The musical was also awarded a Pulitzer in 1950.
Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II’s musical romance centers on a group of American sailors and Navy nurses who are stationed in the South Pacific during World War II. Rodgers composed the music with lyrics by Hammerstein. Hammerstein and the show’s original director, Joshua Logan, wrote the book.
Proceeds from “South Pacific” support scholarships for ESU students in the performing arts. “South Pacific” runs from Thursday, Oct. 22 through Saturday, Oct. 24 at 7:30 p.m., and on Sunday, Oct. 25 at 2 p.m.
All “South Pacific” showings will be inside the Albert Taylor Hall on the ESU campus. Tickets can be reserved at the university box office in the Memorial Union or by calling 620-341-6378.
Special events during Homecoming include:
Wednesday:
Students and faculty will enjoy competition during the annual Tricycle Races. Cost is $20 to enter. Teams can enter the tricycle races by calling 620-341-6468.
Thursday:
Hornet alumnus Susan Thomas will present the fifth address in the Sam E. and Jeannene Hayes Lecture Series inside the Memorial Union’s Webb Hall at 7 p.m. Thomas will speak about “An Ordinary Life of Extraordinary Experiences” that led her to become the founder, President and CEO of 10Fold Communications. The Newton, Kansas native earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in business from Emporia State in 1986, and has a master’s degree in industrial/organization psychology from the University of Tulsa. Thomas also serves as a Board of Advisors member for the Heritage Bank of Commerce, Authenti-App, and DataPhysics Research Inc. (DPR).
Friday:
- The second annual Kansas State Teacher’s College (KSTC) Luncheon is inside the Memorial Union’s KSTC Ballroom. Friday morning’s festivities begin with the reception at 11:30 a.m., and the luncheon follows the reception at noon. This year’s luncheon features the KSTC’s Class of 1965 and other guests for lunch and reconnecting. Reservations are required. To RSVP call 620-341-6476.
- 2015’s inaugural Black and Gold Dinner will honor the recipients of the President’s Common Good, Outstanding Recent Graduates, and Distinguished Alumni awards. Plus, members of the President’s Club, Kellogg Society, and Black & Gold Circle will be recognized. The reception is at 6 p.m., as dinner follows at 7 p.m. The Black and Gold Dinner will include cocktails, dinner, and entertainment. To RSVP call 620-341-6476. This year’s honorees for the three awards are as follows:
- President’s Awards for the Common Good
- Evan C., Olive, and Walter S. Jones
- Dr. Harry Stephens ‘65 & ‘72
- Outstanding Recent Graduates
- Mr. Cory Falldine ‘06 & ‘08
- Ms. Tiffany Jervis ‘08 & ‘13
- Ms. Yunqi “Chloe” Zhao ‘09
- Distinguished Alumni
- Col. Guy Beougher ‘80
- Mr. Dick Hawk ‘56 & ‘57
- Dr. Ilene Kleinsorge ‘81
- Mr. John McPherson ‘69
- Mrs. Lana Scrimsher Oleen ‘72 & ‘77
- Emporia State’s volleyball team takes on Central Oklahoma at 7 p.m. inside White Auditorium.
- Wilson Park will host the annual Homecoming Bonfire beginning at 8 p.m., including the “Yell like Hell” student contest.
Saturday:
- Five individuals and a national runner-up women’s cross country team will be inducted into the Emporia State Athletic Hall of Honor. This year’s class will be honored at the annual Hall of Honor Breakfast at 8 a.m. in the Memorial Union’s Webb Hall. The public is invited to attend, and the cost of the breakfast is $12. Reservations can be made at emporia.edu/alumni/homecoming or by calling 620-341-6476. This year’s list of honorees include:
- Megan Beattie-Day, Softball, 2000-03.
- Carol Ketterman, Women’s Tennis 1979-83.
- Bob Leahy, Football 1967-69.
- Mark Sevier, Track & Field 1974-75.
- Harold Thompson, Track & Field/Football 1955-59.
- 1986 Women’s Cross Country NAIA National Runners-up
- Prospective college students along with their families will tour campus during a Black & Gold Visit.
- Emporia State’s faculty emeritus are inviting all former students to join them for coffee, pastries and conversations at the annual Kaffee Klatch from 9 to 11 a.m. in Memorial Union’s Main Street in front of the bookstore.
- Emporia State volleyball’s annual Alumni Volleyball Game takes place from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at White Auditorium.
- The Blue Key Honor Society is having an Alumni Meet and Greet from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. at the Memorial Union’s Flint Hills/Kanza Room. Alumni can RSVP to the Alexis Streeter, Alumni Relations Chairman at astreet1@g.emporia.edu or by texting/calling 785-214-9258. Deadline is 5 p.m. Thursday.
- The annual Homecoming Parade heads north on Commercial Street beginning at 11:30 a.m. The parade begins at Fourth Avenue and comes to the south entrance of campus.
- Tailgate at the Watering Hole on the Milton Tennis Courts from noon to 1:45 p.m. Tickets are available on site and cost $10 for adults and $8 for youths 12 and under. Reservations aren’t required but they are encouraged.
- At 2 p.m., the Hornet football team takes on Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) conference rival Missouri Western State University at the annual Emporia State Homecoming Football Game inside Welch Stadium. Homecoming royalty ceremonies will take place at halftime. For tickets, order a Homecoming package or call the ESU ticket office at 620-341-6378.
- After the football game, Emporia State is having a MIAA 25th Anniversary Reception, marking the 25th year of competition in the MIAA. Celebrate Emporia State’s many successes during the first 25 years with the MIAA. All are welcome. Reservations are required. To RSVP, call 620-341-6476.
- Emporia State’s volleyball team takes on Pittsburg State inside the White Auditorium, with the first serve taking place at 7 p.m.
For more information about events, go online to www.emporia.edu/homecoming.