Mississippi University for Women is gearing up for homecoming next weekend, celebrating its 128th year of educating women, as the state’s first public college for women, and its 30th year of educating men. Campus organizers have planned a jam-packed calendar of events April 20-22, encompassing a wide gamut of interests, ranging from music to sports.
All alumni are asked to register by April 16 either online or via mail. They may also register April 20, beginning at 9 a.m., at Stovall House. There is a registration fee of $40.
This will be Dr. Jim Borsig’s first homecoming as MUW’s president, and alumni and guests will meet at the Old Maid’s Gate at the College Street entrance April 21 to take a stroll with him through campus. Later that day, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., an online Twitter chat with Borsig will be held, as well. Both events are free.
There also are a number of reunions scheduled, with the Class of 1962 arriving to celebrate and reminisce during the much-anticipated Golden Girls Luncheon April 20 at 11 a.m. in the Pope Banquet Room at Hogarth Dining Hall. Tickets for class members are free, while tickets for all others are $15.
A reception for the Class of 1962 will be held that night from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Puckett House.
Numerous four-year and two-year social clubs will also host reunion parties, including the D’Belles, which will celebrate their 50th reunion April 20 at 6:30 p.m. at the Lee Home, located at 316 7th St. N. in downtown Columbus.
And sports lovers and alumni athletes won’t want to miss a special program Friday afternoon dedicated to MUW athletics. Former athletics coaches Dr. Dorothy Burdeshaw, Dr. Barbara Garrett, Dr. Martha Fulton-Wells, Dr. Jo Spearman and Dr. Joan Thompson Thomas will be on hand April 20 to sign their new book, “Legacy of the Blues: A Century of Athletics at the W,” from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Pohl Building.
Burdeshaw and Spearman are former athletics directors at MUW, with Burdeshaw coaching badminton and Spearman coaching volleyball and track and field. Garrett coached tennis, and Thomas coached basketball, volleyball and track and field.
The 538-page book, which was released last month by Xlibris Corporation, details the rich history of athletics at The W between 1884 and 2003. It includes a retrospective on all intercollegiate sports offered at the college, as well as a look at the reasons the athletics program was discontinued nearly a decade ago.
Last fall, Borsig expressed an interest in re-examining the role of athletics at The W, considering whether it would be beneficial or feasible to incorporate sports back into campus life.
Continuing the sports theme, a 50-inning softball game will be held April 22 at 1 p.m. at Don Usher Field.
Other special events will include a free Frank Sinatra Tribute Concert, featuring Nick Hilscher, an MUW Chorale concert in the Cromwell Communications auditorium, an art exhibition at Summer Gallery in the Art and Design Building, a barbecue dinner celebrating 30 years of educating men at The W, a Culinary Institute wine and dessert tasting, a 5K fun run, and a special reception honoring Dr. Harry Sherman, professor emeritus of biological sciences.
For a complete schedule of homecoming events, or to register, visit muw.edu/alumni or call MUW’s Office of Alumni Relations at 662-329-7295.
Carmen K. Sisson is the former news editor at The Dispatch.
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