Homecoming is a time for past students to return to the place of their education to celebrate past achievements and encourage the students of tomorrow; old favorites and new surprises await the student body and returning alum. Homecoming Court nominations open Monday, September 23rd and Final 14 voting opens next Monday, September 30th.

Tuesday, October 1st there is a luncheon for all faculty, staff, and alumni in the Upper Conference Center Ballroom at noon. Make sure to wake up bright and early for the 8:00 a.m. Donut Drop on October 7th in the Bellows Commons. Come and eat your fill at the Stampede Feed in Alumni Plaza from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. the same day.

Voting opens for the homecoming king and queen on October 8th. There is also a “How to Avoid and Survive Violence” presentation in the upper CC ballroom at 10:45 a.m. Hypnotist Freddie Justice will perform at 8:00 p.m. in the PE gym. A fast-paced game of skill, puzzles, and speed based on the hit TV series The Amazing Race starts at 2:00 p.m. at the West Entrance of the Student Center and runs until the last team is released at 4:30 p.m.

Be prepared to be blown away on Wednesday, October 9th at Mustangs Got Talent! Tryouts are from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. in the Upper Conference Center. Don’t miss the show everyone’s been waiting for: Mustangs Got Talent! begins at 7:00 p.m. in the Upper Conference Center. To really want to show off, donate blood at the American Red Cross Blood Drive held the floor below Mustangs Got Talent! auditions from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Walk-ups are welcome; appointments are preferred.

October 10^th-12th are what we’ve all here for, so mark your calendars and synchronize your watches. To all those on campus, make note that on October 10th the judging for office and dorm door spirit decorating begins at 9 a.m. and continues until noon. Coronation is at 6:30; come and show some love and support to the new king and queen in the lower CC. Laughter will ensure at the Take 2 Improv show at 8:30 p.m. in the Black Box Theater, presented by the SMSU Drama Club.

Friday, October 11th is Brown and Gold Spirit Day; go Mustangs! Everyone is encouraged to attend the University Gala at 6:00 p.m. in the R/A Facility. The Gala is a great opportunity to support students because it raises thousands of dollars in scholarships and creates a great partnership between SMSU and the Marshall community. Don’t forget to purchase a ticket!

Lights! Camera! Lasers! “The Beatles – Abby Road” laser light show is 8:00-9:00 p.m. in the Planetarium here on campus. Aimee Shouse, Dean of Arts, Letters and Sciences said, “I would encourage anybody to do anything [Dr. Ken Murphy] does at the Planetarium.” Please be advised that there will be strobe lights at the laser light show.

For the night owls, Students Today, Alumni Tomorrow (STAT) and Residence Life is hosting a bonfire in Central Field from 9 p.m. until midnight.

Homecoming Day! Saturday, October 12th there is a lot happening. To kick it all off, registration for the Legacy Homecoming Run 5K/10K opens at 7:30 a.m. in the morning and the gun goes off at 8:00 a.m. The Legacy Homecoming is sponsored by the Veterans Club and held in the SS parking lot. The Homecoming parade will start at 11:00 a.m. and travel through Lyon St., Main St., and 5th St. Dr. Murphy is at it again with another star show entitled “The Eagle Has Landed – A trip to the moon” from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. At 2:45 p.m. the Parade of Flags will be held at the football field; the SMSU v. Bemidji game kicks off at 3:00 p.m. Stay out of “treble” and end the night at Bello Cucina with Dueling Pianos at 9:00 p.m.; it is going to “B Major”.

Sunday, October 13 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., alumni will gather for brunch in the dining hall for one final get-together before laying Homecoming 2019 to rest.