Homecoming Week 2005 set for Sept. 26-Oct. 1

Sacramento State will celebrate Homecoming 2005 with a lively week of events Sept. 26 through Oct. 1 that include: a talk by one of Sacramento’s leading real estate developers, a luncheon honoring some of the University’s first graduates and the annual Faculty and Staff Event during the Homecoming football game against Northern Arizona.

The week starts with a lecture by real estate developer and Sacramento State alumnus John Saca at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 27 in the Alumni Center. Saca’s talk on “What’s ’Up’ with Sacramento’s Skyline?” opens the fourth season of the Alumni Association’s Breakfast Club Speaker Series.

Events that day also include a Serna Center Speaker Series talk on “The Politics of Survival in Academia” with Sacramento State professors Lila Jacobs, Jose Cintron and Cecil Canton at 1 p.m. in the University Union’s Hinde Auditorium and a lecture by artist Rina Banerjee at 6 p.m. in Mariposa Hall Room 1000 followed by a reception in the Robert Else Gallery courtyard of Kadema Hall.

Sacramento State classes from 1949 through 1956 will be honored at the Golden Grads Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 28 in the Alumni Center. The luncheon also includes a display of class memorabilia and tours of the campus. Tickets are $20.

Events on Thursday, Sept. 29 begin with a 10 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Hornet Bookstore to celebrate the new school year and the new partnership with Follett Higher Education Group, with giveaways, refreshments, special discounts and prize drawings. Then students, alumni, faculty and staff are invited to join the giant inflatable version of mascot Herky the Hornet for the annual campus photo on the Library Quad at 11:45 a.m. “Swarm Day” festivities continue with a carnival following the photo.

Activities that day also include a guest lecture titled “The Fine Art of Psychology” by alumnus Sui-Lan Tan at 2 p.m. in the University Union Hinde Auditorium and a performance by the Sacramento Black Art of Dance group (S/BAD), directed by Sacramento State professor Linda Goodrich, at 8 p.m. in Dancespace, Solano Hall 1010. S/BAD performances continue through Oct. 2 and Oct. 5-9. Other events on Sept. 29 include a show by stand-up comic Jamie Kennedy at 7:30 p.m. in the University Union Ballroom and a faculty music recital with soprano Robin Fisher and pianist John Cozza at 8 p.m. in the Music Recital Hall in Capistrano Hall.

The annual Alumni Honors Luncheon celebrating distinguished alumni begins at noon Friday, Sept. 30 in the Alumni Center. Tickets are $30 and are available at 278-6295. Festivities continue with the Homecoming Pep Rally featuring the crowning of the Homecoming King and Queen, a concert by Funkengruven, fireworks, and an ice cream social at 6:30 p.m. in Serna Plaza.

Homecoming Day on Saturday, Oct. 1 kicks off at 1:30 p.m. with the Homecoming parade featuring marching bands, student groups and floats along Carlson Drive from Glenn Hall Park to Hornet Stadium. The celebration moves to the Alumni Center at 4 p.m. for a pre-game party.

Oct. 1 is also the date for the annual fall Faculty and Staff Event. Faculty, staff and their families are eligible for up to four tickets to the 6:05 p.m. Homecoming football game against Northern Arizona along with vouchers for food and beverages. Additional tickets can be purchased at the game for $6. To RSVP visit www.csus.edu/president/ffsr.htm.

Performance and game tickets are available from the Sacramento State Ticket Office at 278-4323 or Tickets.com. For more information, call 278-6295.