Ohio State celebrates Homecoming 2002

Weeklong festivity began on campus in 1912

Meeting famous alumni, serving the community and decorating organizational floats are among the highlights of Ohio State's Homecoming 2002.

Homecoming, which runs from Oct. 9 to Oct. 13 on Ohio State's campus, is a weeklong celebration where the University community demonstrates its Buckeye pride. Ohio State officially began celebrating Homecoming in 1912, which was also the first year of the Homecoming Parade.

"Meet the Buckeyes" is the theme for this year's celebration.

Kai Landis, coordinator of student involvement for the Ohio Union & Student Activities, said more than 16,000 students are expected to take part in Homecoming events. She said it is an important Ohio State tradition.

"Part of Ohio State's history and pride in being a Buckeye is encompassed in the Homecoming tradition," Landis said. "There is a nice blend of events for the Ohio State community to participate in."

Ashley Allison, undergraduate student chair who is coordinating the Homecoming Parade, said the event is a great time for the Ohio State and Columbus communities to express themselves and their organizations.

"The parade is a time for student organizations and the outside community to come and show their spirit," Allison said. "It also is a time to show creativity and to be a part of a rich tradition on campus."

Events during Homecoming 2002 include:

Oct. 10

• Making Your Ohio State Degree Work for You, 11:30 a.m. in the Ohio Union Main Lounge. Ohio State alumni will discuss their experiences following graduation. Featured speakers include John Kasich, former Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives who now hosts Fox News Channel's "Heroes with John Kasich;" Jack Ford, mayor of Toledo; and Barbara Ferris, president of the International Women's Democracy Group.

Oct. 11

• Under Construction with Habitat for Humanity, 11 a.m.Ð4 p.m. on Ohio Union's west lawn. Ohio State has teamed up with Habitat for Humanity to build tool sheds for Columbus Habitat homeowners.

• Buckeye Story Hour, 10 a.m.Ðnoon in the Ohio Union. Staff and students will read stories to more than 60 first- and second-grade students from Linden Park Elementary.

• Fireside Chat "Ohio State: We're a Place Right Out of History," 4:30-6 p.m. in the Kuhn Honors & Scholars House. This event will give the Ohio State community a glimpse into the University's history. David Hothersall, professor emeritus of psychology, will speak.

• "Meet the Buckeyes" Pep Rally, 8-9 p.m. on the South Oval. Meet the Homecoming court and cheer on members of the football team as they get ready to beat the San Jose Spartans. Rain location will be the Ohio Union East Ballroom.

Oct. 12

• Homecoming Parade, 9 a.m. (Note the new route this year.) Although the first parade was held in 1912, it became an annual Homecoming event in 1965. It will include high school bands, student organization floats, community representatives, the 2002 Homecoming court and Ohio State's athletic band. The parade, featuring between 70 and 80 floats, will pass the traditional grandstand on 15th Avenue and High Street. Check-in will be from 7:30-8:45 a.m. on Neil and 17th avenues.

Oct. 13

• 4th Annual Stefanie Spielman Awareness Walk, at Fred Beekman Park, corner of Lane Avenue and Kenny Road. Registration begins at 2:30 p.m., followed by the walk at 3 p.m. Stefanie Spielman and her husband Chris, former All-Pro NFL linebacker and Ohio State standout, will donate the proceeds of this walk to the Comprehensive Cancer Center in Ohio State's Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute.

For information about additional events, see the Homecoming Web site at www.osu.edu/homecoming.

next page...