Southern Miss Alumni Association to host “Coming Home To You” Spirit Week
Thu, 10/01/2020 - 03:38pm | By: Nicole Ruhnke
The University of Southern Mississippi Alumni Association, in conjunction with The USM Foundation, Eagle Club and Office of Admissions, will host a week-long celebration of Southern Miss alumni and friends during what would have been Homecoming week.
“Each year, the Alumni Association looks forward to Homecoming with great anticipation to welcome back the institution’s alumni,” said Jerry DeFatta, executive director of the Southern Miss Alumni Association. “Unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic has made a tremendous impact on the development of Homecoming 2020 and we are unable to host our traditional events such as the Membership Appreciation Tailgate and the Alumni Hall of Fame Banquet. Although only a limited number of alumni will be able to return to the Southern Miss campus, this pandemic will not damper the spirit of our institution. As a result, the Association is committed to creating unique opportunities for Southern Miss to come home to our alumni.”
During the week of October 5-10, the Association will host “Coming Home to You,” a week of spreading the Southern Miss spirit with the University’s alumni and fan base.
Alumni will be able to visit an online spirit store located at SouthernMissAlumni.com to download free images that can be used to show Southern Miss spirit at home, in the office or on social media.
“Our hope is that “Coming Home to You” will reach each and every former Southern Miss student and that all of our alumni and friends will share their pride in our alma mater with those they come in contact with during the week,” said DeFatta.
The following schedule outlines socially-distant “Coming Home to You” activities planned for the week of Oct. 5:
Monday, Oct. 5
Art and Design Faculty Show
Hosted by the School of Performing and Visual Arts, Art + Design Program
10 a.m. | Online Exhibit https://artdesign.usm.edu/events/2020-biennial-faculty-show/ Exhibit is open through Oct. 16, 2020.
Young Alumni Virtual Trivia
Hosted by the Southern Miss Alumni Association
6:30 p.m. | Zoom www.SouthernMissAlumni.com/AlumniTrivia20
Tuesday, Oct. 6
Dr. Hsiaopei Lee Viola Recital Hosted by the USM School of Music
6 p.m. | Marsh Auditorium
Free Admission
Thursday, Oct. 8
“How to be an A Player in an Undermotivated World” with Vice President Emeritus Dr. Joe Paul
Hosted by the Southern Miss Alumni Association
11:30 a.m. | Facebook Live www.Facebook.com/SouthernMissAlumniAssociation
Trail of Traditions Legacy Campus Tour
Hosted by The Office of Admissions for high school juniors and seniors whose parents graduated from USM
2 p.m. | Trent Lott Center www.USM.edu/admissions/experience-southern-miss.php
Virtual Celebration of the Life and Legacy of Ms. Oseola McCarty
Hosted by The USM Foundation
4 p.m. www.USMFoundation.com/McCarty
USM Symphony Opening Night: Beethoven’s Birthday Bash
Hosted by the USM Symphony Orchestra
7:30 p.m. | Virtual Event https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqxW4NKht7fzsSSRSJ9yngA
Friday, Oct. 9
Go GOLD Friday
Alumni and fans are invited to share photos of their Go GOLD Friday participation across social media using #GoGoldFriday.
22nd Annual Alumni Golf Tournament
Hosted by the Southern Miss Alumni Association
8:30 a.m. | Hattiesburg Country Club www.SouthernMissAlumni.com/HomecomingGolf2020
Here, We Grow (From Home)
Hosted by The Children’s Center for Communication and Development
Live cooking demonstration featuring renowned chefs Robert St. John and Katie Dixon, as well as Children's Center sous chef, Solomon Tynes.
6:30 p.m. | Facebook Live www.Facebook.com/TheChildrensCenterUSM
Saturday, Oct. 10
USM vs. Florida Atlantic
3 p.m. | The Rock
In addition to the events listed above, representatives from The USM Foundation, the Eagle Club, The Office of Admissions and the Alumni Association will sponsor outreach activities throughout the week.
For additional information on “Coming Home to You,” including the online spirit store, visit SouthernMissAlumni.com.
The Alumni Association serves as a driving force in the effort to advance The University of Southern Mississippi. The mission of The University of Southern Mississippi Alumni Association is to build a feeling of pride and loyalty among the alumni of the institution while strengthening participation in alumni and University programs; to coordinate the efforts of alumni on behalf of the University as a whole; and to provide a unified voice for all alumni in the affairs of the University.