Homecoming Week is well under way, and the annual GSU family reunion keeps building toward its culmination Saturday night.
Variety seems to have become the watchword of Homecoming 2005. Activities ranging from the educational to the fun have brought many students – past and present – out to participate.
The week kicked off Sunday with the Opening Ceremony, which led up to the Gospel Extravaganza Sunday night. Since then there has been a Presidential Health Walk and a Student Wellness Fair, as well as games galore.
The Paradigm Laser Tag Show stopped on campus Monday. The event turned out to be big, with DJ Geno on the 1’s & 2’s. The lines were long and heavy, the crowd was hyped and students couldn’t wait to get their laser tag on. “The line was long, but it was worth it in the end,” said student Whitney Weddington.
The guys competed against the girls, with the guys demolishing the ladies all night long. “It was fun, and the guys will always win,” Bryan Walker said. One female student said their recharge module was broken and that was the reason for their loss.
Monday’s activities also included a Presidential Health Walk, which started at 6 a.m.
Tuesday had something for everybody.
There was a Student Wellness Fair, with on-site flu vaccinations, an Ultimate T-Shirt giveaway and, in anticipation of Halloween next week, a Haunted House.
“The Wellness Fair gave me an insight to give a further look on my health,” said student Terence Jones.
Paulette Jackson of the GSU Office of Retention said the flu shots were “an excellent idea on a college campus.”
The Ultimate T-Shirt event Tuesday afternoon was sponsored by the GSU Favrot Student Union Board in association with Paradigm Attractions. The company came with 250 T-shirts for students to place their computerized digital pictures on, whether alone or in groups. The shirts were given first-come, first-serve and were free, which allowed an opportunity for all students to participate. The crowd was almost out the door as students stood in line to receive their personalized T-shirts.
“The Ultimate T-Shirt was an exciting and different event,” said junior Tasia Draper. “It’s good to see the FSUB doing something that all students can truly enjoy.”
But Tuesday’s highlight was perhaps the First Lady’s Tea honoring Dr. Gail Shorter-Judson, an event sponsored by the ladies of the Quarterback Club. The first lady’s message was right in keeping with what Homecoming is all about: family.
Dr. Shorter-Judson described herself as a “very proud grandmother” and said she is “family-oriented.”
She bragged about her daughters as any proud parent would, noting that Jessica, who is still in high school in Florida, is the primary reason she hasn’t been more involved with campus activities.
“I regret that, but family comes first,” the first lady said. Wednesday’s events included the Vibe Games and the Comedy Show featuring Tony Roberts, Deon Cole and Rob Stapleton.
“The events that the Union Board has are different, and I am enjoying it so far,” said sophomore Roland Harris. “I look for the upcoming events during this week.”
This year’s activities have been just the beginning for what the FSUB has in store.
“This year, we plan to bring more activities to GSU to make events more memorable,” said David Dirks, associate chair of the Artistic and Cultural Committee of the FSUB.
Homecoming 2005 has a lot more to offer. The events for the remainder of the week are:
THURSDAY
4-5:30 p.m.-Car/Truck Review, Parade down Main Street to Martha Adams Parking Lot
7 p.m.-Talent Show, T.H. Harris Auditorium
(tickets: GSU Students with ID $3, Nonstudents $5)
FRIDAY
9 a.m.– Endowed Scholarship Ceremony, Washington-Johnson Complex
10 a.m.– Alumni Registration, Alumni Center
11 a.m.– Alumni Brunch, Alumni Center
Noon – Quarterback Club Luncheon, Washington-Johnson Complex
6 p.m.– Pep Rally & Fireworks Display, Robinson Stadium
6:30 p.m.– Presidents’ Mixer, President’s Dining Room (McCall Dining Hall)
8 p.m.– Concert, featuring Bobby Valentino, Nivea, and Youngbloodz, Men’s Gymnasium
SATURDAY
7 a.m.– Tailgating
9 a.m.– Homecoming Parade, routed through Main Street
1:30 p.m.– Grambling State vs. Texas Southern Football Game, Robinson Stadium
6 p.m.-Alumni After-Game Social, Alumni Center
9 p.m.– Alumni Old School Jam, Black & Gold Room – Admission, $10
9 p.m.– Pre-Bayou Classic Greek Show, Men’s Gymnasium
(tickets: GSU Students with ID $5, Nonstudents $15)