KINGSTON, R.I. – October 2, 2007 – University of Rhode Island alumni, students and friends can get RAMbunctious at Homecoming 2007 by enjoying a bonfire and fireworks, taking in a timely play, cheering on the Rhody football team or joining the kickoff of the $100 million “Making a Difference”u capital campaign.
From Oct. 12 through 14, the University will host more than 20 events, including reunions, the first-ever “Rhodyville” and the traditional homecoming football game Saturday, Oct. 13 at 1 p.m., which pits URI against James Madison.
The weekend gets off to a fiery start Friday Oct. 12 with the bonfire at 9 p.m. and fireworks at 9:45 near Keaney Gymnasium. Both are open to the public and free. Parking is available in the Keaney-Mackal lots off Route 138.
“We are re-energizing Homecoming by adding some new elements that will appeal to our alumni and folks around the region,” said Michele Nota, executive director of the URI Alumni Association.
The annual URI Homecoming 5K Rhode Race gets things started Saturday, Oct. 13 at 9 a.m. You can register online at http://www.advance.uri.edu/alumni/events/homecoming/. All runners, walkers, families and friends are welcome. The race starts on Upper College Road and ends at the Alumni Center.
Then at 10 a.m. Saturday, come on down for the first “Rhodyville,” a tent village to be set up outside Meade Stadium and Keaney Gym that will offer music, prizes and food.
Among the groups that have already reserved a Rhodyville tent are: Class of 1982, football alumni reunion, Student Alumni Association, men’s and women’s soccer, various fraternity and sorority alumni, women’s track and cross country and many more.
“We want alumni groups and student groups to join us at Rhodyville,” Nota said. “Radio station Hot 106 will be on hand playing music and offering prizes. It will be the place to be to meet friends, coaches and your professors in a fun and exciting venue.”
Saturday afternoon from 2 to 2:50, a workshop titled “Redesign your Retirement,” will be held at the Alumni Center. From 3 to 3:50 p.m, another workshop titled “China’s Emerging Economic Power,” will be held in the Kirk Center for Advanced Technology’s Cherry Auditorium. A panel of experts will look at mainland China’s changes during the past few decades in technology, markets and U.S. business involvement.
The University will launch the public phase of its $100 million “Making a Difference” capital campaign Saturday night at 6:30 at the Westin Hotel in Providence and honor 30 Distinguished Achievement Award winners. Tickets are $90 per person and $20 for children under 14.
Another weekend highlight is the theater troupe’s production of “Stuff Happens,” a play by David Hare that focuses on events leading to the Iraq War. Showtimes are Friday, Oct. 12 and Saturday, Oct. 13 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday Oct. 14 at 3 p.m. in J Studio of the Fine Arts Center.
“Thanks to the campus-wide effort, we have something for our students, alumni and community,” Nota said.
Please visit online for a full listing of events.