Ohio State University celebrates Homecoming 2002

COLUMBUS – Meeting famous alumni, serving the community and decorating organizational floats are among the highlights of The Ohio State University’s Homecoming 2002.

Homecoming, which runs from Wednesday (10/9) to Sunday (10/13) on Ohio State’s campus, is a celebration where the university community demonstrates its Buckeye pride. Ohio State officially began celebrating Homecoming in 1912, which was also the first year of the Homecoming Parade.

“Meet the Buckeyes” is the theme for this year’s celebration.

Kai Landis, coordinator of student involvement for the Ohio Union & Student Activities, says more than 16,000 students are expected to take part in Homecoming events. She said it is an important Ohio State tradition.

“Part of Ohio State’s history and pride in being a Buckeye is encompassed in the Homecoming tradition,” Landis said. “There is a nice blend of events for the Ohio State community to participate in.”

Ashley Allison, undergraduate student chair who is coordinating the Homecoming Parade, says the event is a great time for the Ohio State and Columbus communities to express themselves and their organizations.

“The parade is a time for student organizations and the outside community to come and show their spirit,” Allison said. “It also is a time to show creativity and to be a part of a rich tradition on campus.”

Events during Homecoming 2002 include:

THURSDAY, OCT. 10

• Making Your Ohio State Degree Work for You, 11:30 a.m. in the Ohio Union Main Lounge. Ohio State alumni will discuss their experiences following graduation. Among the featured speakers are: John Kasich, former Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives who now hosts Fox News Channel’s “Heroes with John Kasich;” Jack Ford, mayor of Toledo; and Barbara Ferris, president of the International Women’s Democracy Group.

FRIDAY, OCT. 11

• Under Construction with Habitat for Humanity, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Ohio Union’s west lawn. The Ohio State University has teamed up with Habitat for Humanity to build tool sheds for several owners of Columbus Habitat for Humanity homes.

• Buckeye Story Hour, 10 a.m. to noon in the Ohio Union. Staff and students will read stories to more than 60 first- and second-grade students from Linden Park Elementary.

• Fireside Chat “Ohio State: We’re a Place Right Out of History,” 4:30 to 6 p.m. in the Kuhn Honors & Scholars House. This event is sure to give the Ohio State community a glimpse into the university’s history. David Hothersall, professor emeritus of psychology, will speak.

• “Meet the Buckeyes” Pep Rally, 8 to 9 p.m. on the South Oval. Meet the Homecoming court and cheer on members of the football team as they get ready to beat the San Jose Spartans. In case of rain, the pep rally will be help in the Ohio Union East Ballroom.

SATURDAY, OCT. 12

• Homecoming Parade, 9 a.m. The parade travels east on 17th Avenue, south on High Street and west on 12th Avenue. Although the first parade was held in 1912, it became an annual Homecoming event in 1965. It will include high school bands, student organization floats, community representatives and the 2002 Homecoming court. The parade, featuring between 70 and 80 floats, will pass the traditional grandstand on 15th Avenue and High Street. Check-in will be held from 7:30 to 8:45 a.m. on Neil and 17th avenues.

SUNDAY, OCT. 13

• 4th Annual Stefanie Spielman Breast Cancer Awareness Walk, at Fred Beekman Park, corner of Lane Avenue and Kenny Road. Registration begins at 2:30 p.m. followed by the walk at 3 p.m. As a part of their pledge to raise $1 million or more for breast cancer research, Stefanie Spielman and her husband Chris, former All-Pro NFL linebacker and Ohio State standout, will donate the proceeds of this walk to the Comprehensive Cancer Center in Ohio State’s Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute.

For information about additional events, see Ohio State’s Homecoming Web site at www.osu.edu/homecoming.