It’s Homecoming time and West Liberty University is pleased to welcome alumni, friends and family back to the Hilltop. Student activities take place from Oct. 6 – 11 and kickoff is 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 11.
This year, the football game takes on special significance, as the newly renovated West Family Stadium will be officially dedicated during halftime.
Homecoming activities for students begin with the traditional Serenade Competition at 9 p.m.,Tuesday, Oct. 7, in College Hall. Each homecoming candidate pair is given a theme, under the overarching homecoming motif of “Cirque de la Hilltop,” then develops a performance consisting of skits and dances in this talent competition.
“The serenades are so clever and creative. They offer a great way to build school spirit,” said Kacie Murray, a senior from Lumberport, W.Va.
2014 King and Queen candidates and their sponsoring organization include:
- Shelly Phillips (Kappa Phi), Moundsville and Zachary Burr (Independent), Buckhannon, W.Va.
- Kaytlynn Talkington (Beta Rho Epsilon), New Martinsville, W.Va. and Ethan Delekta (Independent), New Cumberland, Ohio.
- Maura Reiff (Alpha Xi Delta), Martinsburg, W.Va. and Evan Dotson (Chi Nu), Calcutta, Ohio.
- Hannah Walters (Lambda Psi Sigma), Williamstown, W.Va. and Miles Young (Football), Irondequoit, N.Y.
- Kirstie Kalany (Independent), Wheeling and Corey Klug (Independent), Valley Grove, W.Va.
- Jillian Laslo (Chi Omega), Shadyside, Ohio and Stewart Lane (Phi Delta Theta), Williamstown, W.Va.
- Taylor Zeiger (Softball), Carrollton, Ohio and Bruce Knisley (Baseball), Midland, Pa.
- Rebecca McDowel (Delta Theta Kappa), East Liverpool, Ohio and Casey Johnson (Kappa Delta Kappa), Wellsburg, W.Va.
Throughout the day, Wednesday, Oct. 8, candidates will campaign on Hoge Quadrangle (Quad), offering free goodies, including gifts and food, hoping to be elected. Students vote for their choice of royalty from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m, that same day.
WLU will host various festivities on the Quad throughout Friday afternoon as well as a homecoming themed dinner in the Marketplace dining hall.
Invited alumni also will gather at noon, Friday, Oct. 10, for the first-ever Notable Science Induction Ceremony in Campbell Hall of Health Sciences. Inductees being honored for accomplishments in science include:
- WLU Professor Robert W. Schramm ‘58, deceased
- Elizabeth “Jake” Feinler ‘54, Menlo Park, Ca.
- Dr. Philip D. Stahl ‘64, Clayton, Mo.
On Friday evening donors will be honored at a private Benefactors Gala, held at the Capitol Theatre ballroom, Wheeling.
Saturday’s alumni events begin with a 9 a.m. Alumni Wall of Honor Breakfast and Induction Ceremony to honor three distinguished alumni, recognized for their professional success, leadership and achievements:
- Attorney John Wm. Hoppers ‘63, Columbus, Ohio.
- Senate President Jeff Kessler ‘77, Glen Dale, W.Va.
- Dr. Mary Whitman ‘77, West Chester, Pa.
The breakfast takes place at the Gary E. West Event Center and the distinguished alumni also will be honored during halftime festivities.
At 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 11, the Homecoming Parade, featuring the Marching Hilltoppers, brings campus and town together with a parade route that begins in the town of West Liberty and ends at the stadium.
Students and alumni are invited to tailgate before and during the homecoming game when the Hilltoppers take on Fairmont State University, with game time at 1 p.m. The 2014 West Liberty University Homecoming King and Queen will be announced during the halftime show.
Students end their homecoming festivities with a 10 p.m. – 2 a.m. dance at the River City Restaurant, Wheeling.
Please call Institutional Advancement at 304.336.8888 for more information on any alumni events or visit westliberty.edu.