Homecoming Lights Special Spark on Campus
Thu, 10/07/2010 - 09:16am | By: David Tisdale
He said I could have it for my own, but I must give my friend and former Student Printz colleague Andy Hamm credit for the expression he used in our recent conversation - “getting our century on” - to describe the lineup of events this week that mark our Centennial Homecoming Celebration.
One of those is the homecoming parade, and there's a lot of anticipation for it because it's being held in historic downtown Hattiesburg. For many years, it rolled down Main Street before being moved to Hardy Street about 13 years ago after Dean of Students Eddie Holloway revived the dormant tradition. And this Saturday it will be held in conjunction with downtown's popular art walk. We're expecting a big crowd and it's not too late if you want to register your business or organization to be part of it. Lineup is at 9 a.m. at Hawkins Elementary School on Green Street, with the parade starting at 10 a.m.
As with most homecomings, it's a time for alumni, current students, past and current Southern Miss employees and other friends of the university to come back to campus to get reacquainted, see how much the campus has changed since they last visited, enjoy some tailgating cuisine and watch Golden Eagles football.
It's also a time to reflect on what the university means to all of us and how much it has positively impacted local communities, our state, nation and the world . Through education, research and service, we've been a force for good for 100 years, with more to come.