UB Homecoming to be Held Oct. 5-7

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- A performance by comedian Craig Ferguson and the 35th Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be among the highlights when the University at Buffalo celebrates Homecoming Weekend Oct. 5-7.

New this year will be True Blue Spirit Day on Oct. 5, when a variety of prizes will be awarded by the Homecoming Prize Patrol to students, faculty, staff and visitors on the North (Amherst) Campus wearing UB blue and white or UB logo apparel.

Also on Oct. 5, The Pillars Society Annual Luncheon, honoring graduates of 50 or more years ago, will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Center for the Arts on the North Campus. The event will include special recognition for members of the class of 1957, trivia with prizes, campus bus tours and a group photo. Tickets are $25 and may be purchased online from the UB Alumni Association, or by calling 1-800-284-5382.

A walking tour of the North Campus will be held at 1:45 p.m. on Oct. 5. Participants are asked to meet in the Admissions Office, 112 Capen Hall. The free 90-minute tours will be student led and will cover major academic and student-life buildings. Reservations are encouraged, and participants may sign up on the alumni Web site, or contact Stephanie Lichtenthal for more information at 716-645-6417 or sjl7@buffalo.edu. In addition, a tour the Structural Engineering and Earthquake Simulation Lab will be given at 11 a.m. Oct. 6. Reservations are required, and may be made by contacting Thomas Albrechcinski at tma1@buffalo.edu by Oct. 3.

A Distinguished Alumni lecture is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Oct. 5 in the Center for Tomorrow, featuring Robert Shibley, professor of architecture and director of the Urban Design Project, who will discuss the vision and strategic planning process leading to UB's future as a model 21st-century university. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased online from the UB Alumni Association, or by calling 1-800-284-5382.

The second annual "Dodge-Bull" tournament will take will be held 5-8 p.m. Oct. 5 on Commons Field, between the Student Union and the Center for the Arts on the North Campus. Presented by the University Student Alumni Board, applications for student and alumni teams are available online from the UB Alumni Association or by calling USAB at 716-645-3312, ext. 233.

The 35th UB Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will honor nine outstanding individuals from 6-9 p.m. Oct. 5 in Alumni Arena on the North Campus. Seven alumni will be inducted into the Dr. and Mrs. Edmond J. Gicewicz Family UB Athletics Hall of Fame, and two others will be honored for their ongoing support to the university's athletics program. The ceremony will begin with a cocktail and hors d'oeuvres reception in the Hall of Fame, followed by the induction ceremony on the floor of the arena. Tickets are $65 for UB Alumni Association members and Blue and White Club members, $75 for non-members and may be purchased online from the UB Alumni Association, or by calling 1-800-284-5382.

Two comedy events will be held as part of Homecoming 2007. Craig Ferguson, comedian and host of CBS's The Late, Late Show will perform in the Center for the Arts Mainstage at 8 p.m. Oct. 5, and standup comedian Jo Koy brings his act to the same venue Oct. 6 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $26 and $15 respectively, and may be purchased online from the UB Alumni Association, or by calling 1-800-284-5382.

Various reunions and receptions, all complimentary, have been scheduled to bring UB alumni together. Alumni Ambassadors will gather for breakfast at 8:30 a.m. Oct. 6 in Capen Hall. The event also is open to alumni who are interested in learning more about recruiting students to UB. Registration is available online on the UB Alumni Association Web site.

Former student-athletes will hold a tailgate reunion at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 6 inside the stadium grounds before the football game. For more information and to register, contact Marian Iak at miak@buffalo.edu or 716-645-6867.

A reunion for former orientation staff will be held at 6 p.m. Oct. 6 in the Atrium in the Center for the Arts, North Campus, featuring complimentary hors d'oeuvres and drinks. To register, call Kristen Brill at 716-645-2241.

The annual Pre-Game Tent Party in University Stadium will begin at 11:30 a.m., and will feature student-alumni Olympics, games, prizes, food and more. New this year will be a young alumni reunion with a beer tent. Alumni must be 21 or older with proper ID to enter. At 1 p.m. the UB Bulls take on Ohio University, and the Athletics Hall of Fame inductees will be presented during halftime. Admission to the alumni tent is free, but football tickets are required to enter the stadium. For football tickets, contact the Athletics Ticket Office at 716-645-6666.

Meg Allison, a singer/songwriter and Nashville Star contestant, will perform at 1 p.m. Oct. 7 in the Student Union Theatre. Tickets are $5 and may be purchased online from the UB Alumni Association, or by calling 1-800-284-5382.

More information for all Homecoming events may be found on the alumni Web site at http://www.alumni.buffalo.edu/homecoming or by calling 716-645-3312.