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Homecoming takes over UM-Dearborn

The Homecoming theme this year at UM-D is “Through the Decades.”

Published October 9, 2012 • 3 comments

Various events will be taking place throughout the week in preparation for the Homecoming football game versus Illinois on Saturday. (Photo courtesy of UM-Dearborn SAO website)

By SAMANTHA BELCHER, Student Life Editor

Homecoming Week is taking over the University of Michigan-Dearborn from October 8-13. Various events will be taking place throughout the week in preparation for the Homecoming football game versus Illinois on Saturday, October 13.

The Homecoming theme this year at UM-D is “Through the Decades.”

CALENDAR: View events for Homecoming 2012

“It (Homecoming) is a way for us to meet people we’ve never encountered before as well as make memories with those we have already connected with,” said Taj El-Sayed, chair of the Homecoming Committee.

Students celebrated the start of Homecoming Week yesterday, October 8, at The Homecoming Kick-Off Celebration in the University Center Kochoff Halls. Students were able to interact with each other and enjoy the fortune-teller, green screen, and food.

“This event is purely a fun based event intended to lift the spirits of all the students and encourage them to get involved in the rest of the week’s events,” El-Sayed added.

Today, students will be able to participate in the 6th annual Pancake Breakfast at 9:30 a.m. on the University Center stage.

A fashion show will also be taking place on Tuesday, October 9 at 3:00 p.m. in Kochoff Hall. Event coordinators Rima Rida and Wedad Ibrahim organized the event around this year’s theme of “Through the Decades.”

On Wednesday, October 10, students will participate in the “Rowing the Pond” Cardboard Races at 12 p.m. in Chancellor’s Pond. Also on Wednesday, GOLD, Graduates of the Last Decade, will host the Maize and Blue Bowl from 5-7 p.m. Students will play against alumni in a flag football game behind the University Center near the CASL Annex.

On Thursday, October 11, the “What’s the Scoop” Learn, Donate, Eat ice cream social will take place on the UC stage at 11 a.m. Faculty and students are invited to the ice cream social and can also learn more about breast cancer awareness at the event.

At 3:00 p.m. the Office for Student Engagement will start judging the 5th Annual Door Decorating contest. UM-D student organizations will be decorating their doors for the contest. The winning organization will receive a free lunch. Door decorations must be completed by 9 a.m. on Wednesday.

Alumni and students can participate in Family Fun Night on Thursday from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Fieldhouse. Games, crafts, entertainment, and refreshments will be provided for those who attend. The Alumni Hockey Game will immediately follow Family Fun Night in the Fieldhouse from 7:30-8:30 p.m.

The 6th Annual Breast Cancer Benefit Ball will also be taking place on Thursday at 7 p.m. in Kochoff Hall. According to Jenny Forrester, Homecoming Ball Coordinator, tickets for the event are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Tickets will be available at all Homecoming events this week.

“The Ball is going to be great this year- there will be a jazz band, photobooth, great food, speaker from the American Cancer Society, and dancing,” Forrester said.

She added that $8 from the sale of each ticket would be donated to the Maize Marchers team for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk. A raffle for prizes will be held at the ball and all the money from the raffle will also go to the Maize Marchers.
On Friday, October 12, the Alumni Award Ceremony will take place in the Fairlane Center South building at 5:30 p.m. UM-D alumni will be honored for their work contributing to the university and community.

Students, faculty, and alumni are invited to the 36th annual Homecoming Tailgate on Saturday, October 13 at the Oosterbaan Fieldhouse in Ann Arbor. Doors open for the tailgate at 12:00 p.m.

The Michigan Homecoming football game will conclude the week’s events. The Michigan football team will play against Illinois in Michigan Stadium at 3:30 p.m.