Homecoming Reunion Weekend October 27-29" 

SALISBURY, MD---The theme to Salisbury State University's 75th Anniversary Homecoming Reunion Weekend Friday-Sunday, October 27-29, is "A 75 Carat Celebration ... Diamonds are a Gull's Best Friend."

Honorary co-chairs of the weekend are the Rev. Edward Holloway,(Class of 1949), son of the founder of the school, President William Holloway, and Imogene Caruthers Horton, '34, daughter of one of the founding faculty, Dr. Thomas Caruthers. Alumni chair is Cathy Maynard,'87, and student chair is Kelly Kolwicz,'01.

"During the 75th anniversary year we've tried to add events that would appeal to all ages, all members of the family and a lot of new first-time events," said Roy Perdue, director of alumni relations.

The weekend kicks off Friday with a series of banquets and dinners including a luncheon salute to faculty emeriti and retired staff, an SSU Habitat for Humanity open house, a Fulton School open house and the Athletic Hall of Fame reception and banquet in the Commons. This year's honorees are Kathy Schuyler, '72 (basketball, field hockey and lacrosse), Joe Mammano, '85 (football) and Terri Sharpless, '90 (softball). A highlight of the evening is the traditional bonfire at 9:30 p.m. sponsored by the Student Government Association.

Saturday begins with the Alumni Association Annual Meeting at 9:30 a.m. in the Alumni House. The long-lost Gull Gating is from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Sea Gull Stadium. Helping to promote team spirit and a sense of community, the competition includes categories for students, parents and alumni in everything from banners and decorations to outrageous costuming.

A reunion luncheon with President Janet Dudley-Eshbach is in the Worcester Room of the Commons at 11:30 a.m. with seating by class years. From noon-4 p.m., the Alumni Association invites all alumni to its tent at the football game. From 2-6 p.m. there is a block party at the intramural fields. Games that day include men's and women's swimming against Mary Washington College and football against Wesley College, both at 1 p.m. The 50-member Alumni Pep Band under Jack Burton, '75, will also perform.

Later that afternoon there will be a series of receptions including decade parties for the '70s, '80s and '90s at the intramural fields from 4-6 p.m., the traditional tea for the 50-year class at 4 p.m. in the Holloway Hall Social Room, the Lambda Society Rainbow Reunion at 5 p.m., and dinners for the classes of '50, '60, '75 and '80.

Evening festivities include a Celebration of the Arts at 8 p.m. in Holloway Hall Auditorium with alumni and student performances, followed by a reception in Fulton Hall Gallery, site of an alumni/faculty exhibition. At 10 p.m. SSU's Bound and Gagged Improvisation comedy troupe takes to the boards in the Wicomico Room of the Guerrieri University Center for a zany performance.

Sunday is a golf outing at Horse Bridge Golf Course in Salisbury. Throughout the weekend is the 75th Anniversary Retrospective Exhibit at the Alumni House. The Decorators Show House will also be open at 1308 Camden Ave.

For more information on Homecoming activities, call the Office of Alumni Relations at 410-543-6042 or check the Web site at www.salisbury.edu/alumni/ (and then click on Homecoming).