This week marks our 150th homecoming for Saint Augustine’s University and the campus will be jammed pack with events and activities. Homecoming runs from October 22 to October 28 and this year’s “Blue and White Experience” aims to provide a fun and exciting event for students and alumni.
The annual chapel service traditionally kicks off the week. This year, it was hosted by our Student Government Association and Falcons 4 Health on Sunday, Oct. 22. The guest speaker was Rev. Mycal Brickhouse and the service also featured the Saint Augustine’s University Choir. On Sunday at 6:30 p.m, en e vening of gospel music entitled “365 Risen” will take place at the Seby B. Jones Fine Arts Center Auditorium. The host will be Bobby Parker from the Bobby Park Radio Show. Admission is free for SAU students with a valid ID and $10 for the general public.
This year, the Office of Student Activities is leading a series of events known as Spirit Week, with the first being “Professional Dress Monday” today (Oct. 23). It will start with Cafe Blue in the cafeteria at 11 a.m., where a DJ will provide music and jams. That will be followed by the FYE Block Party at Latham and Weston Hall. The first day of Homecoming will be capped off by a comedy show at 8 p.m. in in the Julia Chester Emery Gymnasium. The show will be hosted by Theo Brown with special guest Rip Michaels, Burpie and Christopher Rollins. The cost will be $15 for SAU students with a valid ID, $20 for general admission. There also will be VIP seats available at $25.
It’s “Twinning Tuesday” on Oct. 24, starting with the annual “1867 Celebration” on the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Mall at noon, That event will be hosted by the Divine Nine and featuring DJ Big Rice. At 8 p.m. Tuesday, “Turn Up with the Greeks,” also hosted by the Divine Nine, will take place at the Greek plots on the Quadrangle.
For “Wacky Tacky Wednesday,” there wil be a pep rally at noon in MLK Mall, hosted by Student Athletic Advisory Council.
On Oct. 26, it’s Throwback Thursday. Wear your 80s, 90s or even 70s gear to show your Falcon pride. And the much-anticipated crowning of Mr. & Miss Saint Augustine’s University will take place at 7 p.m. in the Julia Chester Emery Gymnasium. The cost is free but donations will accepted.
The “Blue and White Experience” begins to build to a climax when the Student Activities hosts a Yardfest, featuring a DJ and music, in the Quadrangle on Friday. Later that evening, the annual BWE Divine Nine Step Show and “Mask Off” party will take place at the Julia Chester Emery Gymnasium, hosted by Vena Excel and Kevin Armstrong. The cost will be $20 for SAU students with a valid ID, $30 for general admission with college ID (this price will include the after party) and $20 for general admission for the step show only.
On Saturday, it’s time for tailgating! The BWE SAU Parade gets the day started and, after tailgating, the BWE Classic will feature the Saint Augustine’s University Falcons vs. the Johnson C. Smith University Golden Bulls at the George “Pup” Williams Athletic Complex. The cost will be free for SAU students with a valid ID and $30 for general admission. There will also be a “BWE Divine Nine Reception” at 5 p.m. in the Boyer Building. The weekend will end with “BWE Homecoming Concert and After Party” for family, friends and classmates. This event, featuring G Herbo and special guests, will take place off campus at Club Ego and the cost will be $20 for SAU students with a valid ID card.
All week long, SAU community can drop off donations for the SAU Food Pantry in Room 210 of the Hunter Building as part of “Community Service is a Way of Life at SAU.” Also, a dime drive will be held throughout the week to commemorate Selma Burke, an SAU alum and the creator of the bust of Roosevelt on the dime.
For more information, visit the university’s website.
— Lorraine Henderson
