October 16, 2009TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – With a gala that will honor one of Florida A&M University’s (FAMU) greatest athletes in its history, an anniversary of one of FAMU outstanding schools, an anniversary of one of FAMU newest traditions and a celebration of the arts, this homecoming celebration is sure to be a one-of-a-kind event.
The centerpiece of any Homecoming weekend on most American college campuses is the football game when returning alumni pack the stadium next to faculty, students and boosters to cheer on the team.
This homecoming, FAMU will take that time-worn tradition a step further, making its storied football program the centerpiece of the 2009 Homecoming Gala. The theme is “Blood, Sweat And Tears: Great Moments in FAMU’s Gridiron History.
It will include a special Tribute to Robert “Bullet Bob” Hayes. Hayes, the track and football legend who was enshrined in the National Football League’s Pro Football Hall of Fame, this summer, is the honoree with the coaches and players of five of FAMU’s outstanding football teams — 1959, 1969, 1977, 1978 and 1979 aggregations.
The gala is scheduled for Friday, October 23, at 6 p.m. at the FAMU Multipurpose Center Teaching Gymnasium. For information and tickets, visit www.RattlerHomecoming.com.
The FAMU School of Journalism and Graphic Communication (SJGC) will celebrate its 35th anniversary of its Division of Journalism during homecoming. SJGC was founded in 1982. As part of the 35th anniversary celebration, five nationally known journalists at CBS News will speak to SJGC students in a panel discussion scheduled for Thursday, October 22.
The panel discussion titled “CBS Journalists and their Journey” is scheduled for 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Hotel Duval, Grand Ballroom. The featured speakers are:
- Russ Mitchell, Anchor, CBS Early Show and Evening News Saturday Edition;
- Byron Pitts, Chief National Correspondent and Contributing Correspondent, 60 Minutes;
- Randall Pinkston, CBS News Correspondent;
- Bill Whitaker, CBS News Correspondent; and
- Harold Dow, Correspondent, 48 Hours Mystery.
“This is the 35th year of journalism at Florida A&M University,” said James Hawkins, dean, School of Journalism and Graphic Communication. “This panel discussion featuring these prominent journalists from CBS is a part of our celebration in reaching this milestone.”
Kim Godwin, senior producer of the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric and a FAMU graduate, will serve as the moderator of the panel.
This event is by invitation only. The general public can tune into FamCast at www.famu.edu.
A fairly new tradition at FAMU, the addition of Mr. FAMU to the Royal Court will celebrate its 10th anniversary during homecoming. As part of the celebration, all 10 Mr. FAMUs will be presented at the football game on October 24, at Bragg Memorial Stadium.
The Mr. FAMUs throughout the years include:
- Charles Wesley Lattimore, 2000-2001
- Exley Warren, 2001-2002
- Marion Slaton, 2002-2003
- Theodore Goyins, 2003-2004
- Ryan Morand, 2004-2005
- Hasan Flake, 2005-2006
- Philip Hamilton, 2006-2007
- Jeremy Mounticure, 2007-2008
- Omari Crawford, 2008-2009
- Brandon McCaskill, 2009-2010
“I’m excited because I think it will speak volumes to have the first decade of the most influential men on campus come together and represent something positive for our up and coming Rattlers,” said McCaskill.
Another standout affair for homecoming is a special event at the FAMU Foster-Tanner Art Gallery, where they will close out the month-long exhibition of The Grid Turns the Corner: A mid-career retrospective of drawings and prints by Terry K. Hunter.
Hunter is scheduled to visit the gallery and host two “walk and talks,” scheduled for Tuesday, October 20, at 12:30 p.m. and Wednesday, October 21, at 1:30 p.m.
After Hunter’s last gallery talk, there will be a closing reception in the gallery from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Guests will have an opportunity to see the exhibit, The Grid Turns the Corner for the last time, and meet the artist while enjoying complimentary food and beverages.
Immediately following the reception, the gallery will host an after party. Foster-Tanner Fine Arts Gallery will open its doors to the first Open Space Gallery After Party scheduled for 8 p.m.
After the football game, the gallery will be open for a chance to chat with Hunter on the final day of the exhibition. This meet and greet is scheduled for Saturday, October 24, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. All events are free and open to the public.
This collection of 52 works is the first comprehensive exhibition of Hunter’s work and chronicles the influence of the socio-cultural milieu that shaped the artist’s vision and steered him toward social commentary as a vehicle for creative expression. FAMU was the first stop in this national traveling exhibition.
Hunter is currently the executive director of the Fine Arts Cultural Enrichment Teaching studios, a professional development institute in the arts associated with Clemson University.
For more information on Homecoming at the Gallery, call (850) 599-8755.
For more than 20 years, FAMU supporter Arthur Thompson has provided assistance to university students through an annual scholarship in his name. The scholarship is awarded each year to a FAMU student enrolled full-time that has graduated from a Big Bend area high school. The winner is announced and presented with the scholarship during the homecoming post-game barbecue.
Since the time of its inception, the scholarship has generated more than $57,000 in financial assistance to FAMU students.
The $10 charge for the event includes food and drinks. Tickets for the barbecue will be available on-site.
For more information on the barbecue please contact Brian Lucas at (850) 599-3413.
The following is the complete homecoming schedule:
Saturday, October 177 p.m. – Midnight
Homecoming Dance “Years of Pride,” Grand Ballroom
Sunday, October 18
9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Homecoming Worship Service, Perry Paige Auditorium
7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Dorm Step Show, Multipurpose Center Teaching Gymnasium
Monday, October 19
9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Spirit Run/Walk, the Set
11a.m. – 2 p.m.
Spirit Day, the Set
8 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Comedy/Talent Showcase, Multipurpose Center Teaching Gymnasium
Tuesday, October 209:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
History of Blood Sweat and Tears, Lee Hall Auditorium
Noon – 2 p.m.
Royal Luncheon (Invitation only), Grand Ballroom
7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Homecoming Fashion Show, Multipurpose Center Teaching Gymnasium
Wednesday, October 21 Orange DayNoon – 4 p.m.
SGA Annual Homecoming Barbeque, FAMU Park
Noon. – 4 p.m.
BET College Tour, FAMU Park
7 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Homecoming Games “Sweating on the Gridiron,” FAMU Park
Thursday, October 22
Green Day10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Health Day, HIV/AIDS Testing/State Health Agencies, FAMU Park
Noon - 2 p.m.
Gallery of Distinction Luncheon, Governor’s Club
3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Judging of the Buildings – Theme Decorations, Campus
7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Coronation, Lee Hall Auditorium
9 p.m. – Midnight
Coronation Ball, Grand Ballroom
Friday, October 23 Orange and Green Day10:10 a.m. – 12:10 p.m.
Convocation, Gaither Gymnasium
Noon – 2 p.m.
Young Alumni Giving Luncheon, Hotel Duval
1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Block Party, FAMU Park
5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Conference Volleyball Game, FAMU vs. South Carolina State, Gaither Gym
6 p.m. – 10 p.m.
President’s Reception and Gala, Multipurpose Center Teaching Gymnasium
7 p.m. – 11 p.m.
National Pan-Hellenic Council Greek Step Show, Leon County Civic Center
Saturday, October 248 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Parade/Judging of Floats, Frenchtown and Downtown Route
1:30 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Snake Walk, starting on the Set and ending at Bragg Stadium
3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Football Game, FAMU vs. Norfolk State, Bragg Stadium
8 p.m. – Midnight
SGA Concert, Multipurpose Center Teaching Gymnasium
8 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Gospel Concert, Lee Hall Auditorium
Sunday, October 25 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Rattler Fever Campus Clean Up, Bragg Stadium and the Set
3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Conference Volleyball Game, FAMU vs. Bethune-Cookman, Gaither Gym
For more information on homecoming, visit
www.RattlerHomecoming.com.
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