"Bringing Memories Out of the Shadows” is the theme for ONU’s Homecoming events Sept. 22-24. The annual event offers an opportunity for former students to return to campus and connect with their alma mater.
The full slate of activities is available online at www.onu.edu/event/homecoming.
Highlights will include the Homecoming parade in downtown Ada beginning at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 23.
Track and field standout Emily Richards, a senior chemistry major from Delaware, Ohio, will serve as the parade’s grand marshal, accompanied by ONU track and field coach Jason Maus. Richards is a five-time NCAA Division III track and field champion as well as a United States finalist in the 800-meter run. Fittingly for the occasion, the Ohio Northern University Marching Band, “The Star of Northwest Ohio,” will be joined by the Kappa Kappa Psi ONUMB Alumni Band.
The parade will be followed at 11:30 a.m. by a tailgate lunch and reunion photos in the King Horn Field House, and the activities tent and inflatable activities outside of King Horn.
Prior to the parade, President Emeritus Kendall Baker and former first lady Toby Baker will be honored at 9 a.m. with the dedication of the Baker Commons near Affinity Village, located along Polar Bear Way and Loop Road.
The Homecoming football game vs. Otterbein University will kick off at 1:30 p.m. in Dial-Roberson Stadium.
The William L. Robinson Young Alumni Award recipients will be introduced prior to the game at 1 p.m., and the Homecoming king and queen will be announced at halftime. The young alumni awards honor Robinson, who dedicated his career to serving ONU’s students and remains a strong supporter of the University.
A 50th-anniversary recognition of the ONU softball program also will be held prior to the football game.
After the game, reunion class members and their guests are invited to celebrate together at the reunion reception at The Inn at Ohio Northern University from 4 to 7 p.m. Contact the ONU Office of Alumni Relations for details and tickets.
The day will conclude with a performance by Catapult and the ONU Dance Company at 7:30 p.m. in the Freed Center for the Performing Arts. An “America’s Got Talent” finalist, Catapult features dancers who work behind a screen to create magical shadow silhouettes. Contact the Freed Center for ticket information.
A Homecoming Choral Collage Concert, featuring all of the University’s choral ensembles, will be held at 2 p.m. on Sept. 24 in Presser Hall. The event is free and open to the public.
The three-day weekend will include activities that are themed to specific colleges and various campus organizations as well as cultural offerings and informative talks.
