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Emporia State University Theatre presents “She Loves Me” by Joe Masteroff, music by Jerry Bock and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick. Performances are scheduled at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 3 through 5 and 2 p.m. Oct. 6 in the Karl C. Bruder Theatre, in King Hall.

Just prior to the United States’ entry into World War II, Chad R. Patton, a high school graduate from rural Chase County, Kansas, who wanted to become an educator, enrolled in what was then Kansas State Teachers College in Emporia. Military service, classroom assignments and farm work delayed his graduation. But when he earned his degree in 1958, it cemented his family’s remarkable multi-generational connection to today’s Emporia State University.

Emporia State University kicks off Homecoming 2024 by welcoming alumni, students and the Emporia community to participate in numerous exciting activities. Attendees will recall old memories and make some new ones as generations unite to celebrate their Hornet pride.

Emporia State University faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends celebrate 161 years of educational excellence and opportunity with the annual Founders’ Day celebration on Thursday, Feb. 15. The event includes a lunch beginning at 11:30 a.m. in Webb Hall on the second floor of the Memorial Union. A program will follow at noon.

Six Emporia State University graduates will receive Distinguished Alumni awards at the Black & Gold Gala on Oct. 27 as part of Homecoming 2023. The award is the highest honor bestowed to alumni and recognizes outstanding accomplishments in their careers.

An Emporia State alum with a lengthy career in telecommunication returns to her alma mater to present the Sam E. and Jeannene Hayes Lecture on Thursday, Oct. 26.

Three alumni have been chosen as the Outstanding Recent Graduates for 2023. To qualify, nominees must have earned a degree from Emporia State University within the past 10 years. Awards will be presented to these recipients on Friday, Oct. 27, at the Black & Gold Gala during Homecoming weekend.

The ESU Alumni Association’s University Service Citation Award honors both alumni and friends who have made unique and significant contributions to the University, its students and its staff members. This year’s recipients will be recognized during the ESU vs. Washburn football game on Oct. 14. They are:

For more than 90 years, descendants of Leona C. (Hamilton) Young have followed a path she opened to Emporia State University. Although the year is not available, Young received her teaching certificate in the late 1920s from Kansas Normal School, which, after three name changes, became Emporia State University.

ESU welcomes alumni, students and the Emporia community to enjoy a week full of special events. Homecoming 2023 kicks off on Friday, Oct. 20, with a baseball alumni golf tournament and concludes with the final performance of the Homecoming musical “Little Shop of Horrors” on Sunday, Oct. 29. Special reunion groups include Class of 1973 (50 Year Class), Greek Alumni, Softball and Baseball.