CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The University of Illinois will mark its 93rd annual Homecoming with a weeklong celebration Oct. 19 through 26.
The week's activities will include a community kickoff at Hessel Park in Champaign, as well as a parade. In addition, colleges across campus will host pre-game luncheons and tent parties to welcome alumni. This year's slogan is "Always an Illini!"
For a complete schedule of activities, visit the Homecoming Web site, or get in touch with Dena Bagger at the Alumni Association, 217-333-9829.
Event highlights:
Oct. 19 (Sunday)
• Homecoming kickoff celebration, Noon-2 p.m., Hessel Park. This family-oriented event is geared to members of the community and will feature Illinois athletes, Illini fan competitions and free hot dogs or hamburgers for the first 500 people.
Oct. 21 (Tuesday)
• Lunch on the Quad, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Cost: to be determined.
• Homecoming opening ceremonies, noon to 1 p.m., Anniversary Plaza (south side of Illini Union). Entertainment, athletes and introduction of Homecoming Court.
Oct. 22 (Wednesday)
• Homecoming volunteer project, noon to 2 p.m., Quad. Volunteers from student organizations will collect donations for the Champaign County United Way.
• Build for Habitat for Humanity, all day, Everitt Engineering Laboratory and Engineering Hall. The storage shed being constructed by the group's volunteers will become the organization's Homecoming float; afterward the shed will go directly onto a Habitat for Humanity site.
Oct. 24 (Friday)
• Homecoming parade, begins at 6 p.m. at Sixth Street and Taft Drive, goes through Campustown and turns south on Mathews Avenue and ends at the Quad.
• Homecoming pep rally, immediately after the parade, Quad. Event features football team and other campus groups.
• IUB Homecoming Variety Show, immediately after the pep rally, Foellinger Auditorium, 709 S. Mathews Ave., Urbana. This competition highlights student performers vying for cash prices in three categories: dance, vocal and variety. Cost: $4. Tickets available in advance at Illini Union Ticket Central or at the Assembly Hall; or at the door (if not sold out).
Oct. 25 (Saturday)
• Illinois vs. Minnesota football game, 11 a.m., Memorial Stadium. Cost: $33 for main stands and balconies, $17 for horseshoe and field bleacher tickets. For tickets, visit the athletic ticket office; call toll-free (866) 455-4641; or order online.
• IUB African-American Homecoming Comedy Show, 5-7 p.m., Foellinger Auditorium. Event features Cocoa Brown, Roland Powell and Damon Williams, plus a student fashion show. Cost: $12 for students, $14 for the public. Tickets available in advance at Illini Union Ticket Central or at the Assembly Hall; or at the door (if not sold out).
• IUB African-American Homecoming Dance, 9 p.m., Illini Union Rooms A, B and C, 1401 W. Green St., Urbana. Cost: $5. Tickets available in advance at Illini Union Ticket Central or at the Assembly Hall; or at the door (if not sold out).
Oct. 26 (Sunday)
• IIllini stride homecoming 5K run/walk. Race starts at 10 a.m. At the Arboretum, which is located along Lincoln Avenue, one block south of Florida Avenue in Urbana. Register online or on-site at 9 a.m. Cost: $12 prior to race; $15 day of race.
Three distinguished alumni will return to campus as participants in Homecoming weekend. The Illini Comeback guests will meet with students from their colleges, participate in the parade and pep rally, attend the football game, and be guests at gatherings hosted by Chancellor Nancy Cantor and President James J. Stukel.
The guests:
Jon Burgstone, College of Engineering, 1995
A professor of engineering at the University of California at Berkeley, Burgstone manages Chronos Capital, an investment firm that he co-founded. He also was CEO and co-founder of SupplierMarket, a business-to-business software company that was acquired by software giant Ariba. In addition to his support of organizations working to improve education and promote civil rights, Burgstone currently serves on the U. of I. College of Engineering Board of Visitors.
Londa Dewey, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, 1982
President of the Private Client Group at U.S. Bank, the eighth largest financial services holding company in the United States, Dewey began her career in 1982 as a management trainee, and in two decades rose to her current position, where she leads more than 1,600 employees in 25 states. A community leader, she serves as chairwoman of the board of directors for the Greater Madison (Wis.) Chamber of Commerce and for the Edgewood Campus School, in addition to participating on the boards of her local United Way and YMCA organizations.
Carol Hillsman Sagers, College of Communications, 1979
A marketing management professional at CHS Marketing Consultants, a company she founded, Sagers began her career as a copy-editing intern at Chicago's Foote Cone & Belding advertising agency. Her firm now counts McDonald's, Kraft Foods and Keebler as clients.