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10/13/2006
Contact: K.E. Schwab -- 724-738-2199;
e-mail: karl.schwab@sru.edu
SRU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION TO BREAK GROUND ON
$600,000 ADDITION TO CAMPUS HOME
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa.
– Slippery Rock University and its alumni association will
break ground at 9 a.m. Oct. 21, prior to the annual homecoming
parade, for a 2,600-square-foot, $600,000 addition to the Russell
Wright Alumni House as a project designed to provide additional
meeting and conference space.
The original
building, named for major SRU benefactor, the late Dr. Russell
Wright, a member of the class of 1923, opened in 1998 and offers a
large reception area, Memorabilia Room and small meeting room in
addition to alumni association offices. The new addition will turn
the facility into a state-of-the-art conference center and expand
much-needed meeting space on campus. It will provide space for
commemorating the university’s history and for on-campus
classes for alumni.
The addition has
received approval from the SRU council of trustees as well as the
Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education board of
governors.
Michael Saraka,
association director, reports nearly all of the needed $600,000 has
been raised in a special campaign conducted by the association.
While the groundbreaking will take place Oct. 21, actual
construction is slated for spring with completion expected by late
fall 2007.
Joining in the
groundbreaking will be past association presidents led by Eric
Holmes, current president and member of the SRU class of
1993.
Immediately
following the ceremony, participants will join the annual 10 a.m.
homecoming parade which begins at the Giant Eagle Parking Lot and
winds through downtown Slippery Rock before disbanding on campus.
More than 55 floats, marching bands, walking groups and fire trucks
are expected to participate in the event with Bob
DiSpirito, retired SRU football coach, as grand
marshal. DiSpirito coached 15 seasons, including an unprecedented
three straight Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference championships
from 1972-74. His teams compiled a 79-60-3 record, a winning
percentage of 57 percent, and also earned a pair of NCAA bowl
appearances. He retired from SRU in 1998.
Prior to the 2 p.m.
football game in which SRU takes on Lock Haven in N. Kerr Thompson
Stadium, the association will sponsor a hospitality tent near the
stadium where alumni can gather for food, entertainment and
give-aways as part of the Rocktoberfest themed event. Tent
admission will be payable at the gate.
A 6 p.m. Oct. 20
pre-homecoming pep rally, including the SRU Marching Band,
cheerleaders, football team members, homecoming king and queen,
bonfire and fireworks, as well as a concert featuring the Poverty
Neck Hillbillies, with opening act The Stickers, will be staged on
Old Thompson Field (inside Morrow Field House in the event of
rain).
In addition,
the SRU Alumni Association is sponsoring its “Annual Fall
Classic Slippery Rock Golf Outing” at Stonewall Golf Club,
Ellwood City. The shotgun start, already set with nearly 90,
four-person teams, is open at 10 a.m. Proceeds will help fund the
association’s student scholarship funds and the alumni house
expansion. Call 724-738-2018 for details.
PN, PGN, WPN, PR
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