FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 3, 2008

Contact: K.E. Schwab  

724.738.2199

 karl.schwab@sru.edu

SRU homecoming offers gala, alumni radio show, concert and sports        

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – Homecoming, the traditional time for alumni and students to mix and mingle at Slippery Rock University, kicks off Oct. 13 with a week of activities, including king and queen voting, a pep rally, concert, gala, alumni radio show, parade and football.

           “This year we are trying some new approaches to bring new life and new interest to the weeklong event,” said Carol Waters, vice president for student affairs in Student Government Association and a homecoming planning co-chair. “This year we’ve included activities such as a Monday picnic and pep rally, an off-campus gala, a live alumni radio show on WSRU-FM as well as traditional homecoming activities like the parade, tailgating and football.”

           This year’s theme is SRU Viva RockVegas and will be used in the traditional paint-the-town events. 

           Electronic voting for homecoming king and queen opens at noon Oct. 13 and continues until noon Oct. 17. A 5-7 p.m. picnic on the Bailey Library Quad is also planned for Oct. 13 followed by a 7 p.m. pep rally featuring Landon from MTV’s “Real World Philadelphia” series. The SRU football team, coaches, cheerleaders and the SRU Marching Pride will open the festivities.

           Oct. 14 events open with a “Stuff-a-Plush” event at which students can make stuffed animals from noon to 3 p.m. in the University Union. Black Violin, a violin group offering classical music with a hip-hop twist, performs at 8 p.m. Oct. 14 in the University Union. 

           “Casino Night,” offering mock gambling and featuring the band Red Wanting Blue,” runs 7-10 p.m. Oct. 15 in the University Union.

           A Homecoming Gala at Palmers Restaurant at Oak View Golf Club, Slippery Rock, is planned for 7-11 p.m., Oct. 16 with transportation provided. Alumni, faculty, staff and students are invited to the dinner-dance event.

           Oct. 17 events include a 6 p.m. “Pre-Concert Radio Station Alumni Reception” with a number of SRU alumni involved in the operation of SRU’s radio stations – WRSU, WNFT, WRCK and WRSK – over the years.

           Radio station alumni will gather again from 7-9 p.m. Oct. 18 for an alumni show broadcast on WSRU-FM, 88.1.

           Hugh Slack, who served as radio station general manager in the early-1980, will be the program’s host. Mark French, a 1972 SRU graduate and WNFT program director at SRU in the early 1970s, and Liz Herbert Archambault, a 1980 graduate who was WNFT program director in 1979, will be among the guests. Joining in will be  Bob Hamilton, '83 graduate and sports director at WRCK in 1982; Mark "Razz"  Radziewicz, '85 graduate and two-term general manager in 1984-85; Joe Yesh, '85 graduate and traffic manager, 1983; and Rich Vargo, '88 graduate and general manager, 1987.

           Linda Henderson, '85 graduate and general manager of WSRU in 1984-85, will participate, as will Larry Ciarelli, '94 graduate and program director for WRSK, and Amy Cooper, '95 graduate who served as station secretary.  Jim "Jaime" Aronson '86 graduate and WRCK program director in 1984, will produce and direct the show.

           Each returning on-air personality will play music from their respective on-air era. Several remain active in the radio profession.

           Day 26 with Live in Color Dance Crew will perform at 8 p.m. Oct. 17 in the University Union. The concert is free to current SRU students with ID; $10 general public. Admission is limited.

           Gameday, Oct. 18, opens with the traditional 10 a.m. Homecoming Parade kick off from the Giant Eagle Parking Lot on Grove City Road. The route moves to Franklin Street, then south on Main Street to Morrow Way before disbanding at North Hall. 

           The SRU Alumni Association and various University departments will offer tailgate and welcome tents near N. Kerr Thompson Stadium from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 18. SRU takes on Edinboro University of Pennsylvania at 2 p.m. in the stadium. A post-game “Blue and White Cookout” follows at the University Union, and SRU’s Black Action Society hosts a Homecoming Party from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. in the union.

Slippery Rock University is Pennsylvania’s premier public residential university. Slippery Rock University provides students with a comprehensive learning experience that intentionally combines academic instruction with enhanced educational and learning opportunities that make a positive difference in their lives.