By PATRICK DRISCOLL
Contributing Writer An invitation is extended to current students and their families as well as graduates of The College of Saint Rose to come to campus for Homecoming and Family Weekend.
The festivities will kick off on Friday Sept. 22 with the Athletics Hall of Fame induction at 6:30 p.m. in the Massry Center for the Arts. Five former student athletes are being inducted into the hall of fame for their athletic achievements. Brandon Birchak who graduated from Saint Rose in 2007 is being inducted for his achievements in swimming and diving. Stephanie Brink Hilland is being inducted for her volleyball achievements. The next inductee, Matt Jones, is being inducted for his achievements in soccer, and Garth Joseph for his achievements in basketball. Garth played one year in the NBA for the Toronto Raptors and Denver Nuggets. After the induction ceremony, there will be a small reception with hors d’oeuvres. Admission to the event is $25.
Saturday will be filled with fun and activities on the quad. The activities will include acapella groups performing, massages, wax hands and other outside vendors. There will also be photo booths for families to enjoy. The acapella groups performing during Family/Homecoming weekend are the Girls Next Door, The Golden Notes and The Other Guys. The Alana Steppers will also perform step routines. The festival on the quad will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will also be a family brunch on both Saturday and Sunday in the dining hall where families can interact with alumni. The schools of Arts and Humanities, Business, Education, and Math & Sciences will be holding open houses to show families what each school is about and the different majors that are offered in each school.
Also included in the events of the weekend is the induction of the Saint Rose Class of 1967 into the Golden Roses Society, which is a group that includes students who graduated from Saint Rose 50 years ago. Dennis McDonald, vice president for Student Affairs, is looking forward to the festivities for family weekend. McDonald said that Family/ Homecoming weekend is going to be different from last year, with new additions. “Last year we combined Family Weekend with Alumni Weekend and it was a great success,” said McDonald.
One new addition this year is the Athletic Homecoming event, which will add a number of athletic events in the Nolan Gym and the Plumeri Sports Complex, as well as the Hall of Fame event on Friday, Sept. 22. The Intercultural Leadership Offi ce is also hosting new events including a Gospel Brunch, 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament, and an Old School Throwback Classic R&B/Hip Hop Party.
“We heard from both families and alumni that they appreciated the opportunity to meet and interact with each other,” said McDonald.
For a full list of events and activities during Homecoming/ Family Weekend, check the Saint Rose website at www.strose.edu. If you have any questions or concerns about the events you can contact the office of Alumni Relations at 518 -454 -5105.
