OBU to Host Homecoming Activities Nov. 6-7
October 12, 2015
The Bison Spirit is something you cannot forget. Chanting Ka-Rip and proudly cheering OBU on to victory is a memory well loved by Bison, young and old alike. OBU alumni, friends, students, faculty, staff and the public are invited to share in celebrating OBU as the University hosts “Zip! Bang! OBU! Homecoming 2015” Nov. 6-7.
View a full schedule of events, including class gatherings, fellowships, golf tournament information, and more.
Come to Bison Hill on Thursday evening and take in Meredith Wilson’s six-time Tony Award winning musical comedy, “The Music Man.” The first performance of the Homecoming weekend will be staged Thursday, Nov. 5, at 7:30 p.m. in the Craig-Dorland Theatre of Shawnee Hall. Additional performances will be held Saturday, Nov. 7, at 7:30 p.m. as well as Sunday, Nov. 8, at 2:30 p.m. Performances will also be held the previous weekend, Oct. 29 through Nov. 1. Tickets are $13 for adults and $5 for students. Tickets may be ordered by phone beginning Oct. 15 at (405) 585-4350. Box Office hours are Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Purchase tickets for "The Music Man."
On Friday, Nov. 6, OBU will host the unveiling of the Dr. John Wesley Raley Statue at 12:30 p.m. on the south lawn in front of Raley Chapel. Raley was the eighth president of OBU and the longest tenured. He served as president from 1934-61, and as chancellor from 1961-65.
The second annual Homecoming Worship service will be held twice, at 1:30 p.m. Friday and again at 10 a.m. Saturday. Both events will be held in Stubblefield Chapel. Dr. Bill Green, ‘64, and accompanist, Linda Heerwald Green, ‘63, will lead the Friday service. Saturday’s service will be led by Mike Knight, '70, and accompanist, Cathy DeRousse, '75. Both services will feature special music by Walter Grady, '71, and 2X4 Men's ensemble.
Homecoming participants will also have the opportunity to attend a poetry reading on Friday from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Cargill Center, led by Dr. Ben Myers, Oklahoma State Poet Laureate and OBU Professor.
The annual Harvest Dinner will take place Friday evening in the upper level of the Geiger Center at 6 p.m. Several awards will be presented during the dinner including the Alumni Achievement Awards honoring Ronda Mikles, ’75, and Hildegard (Hiddie) Stanley, ’59. This year’s Graduate of the Last Decade (GOLD) Award recipient, Michael Ware, ‘06, will also be recognized.
Profile in Excellence Award recipients will also be honored during the Harvest Dinner, including Kelly (Kennedy) King, ’84; Pat (Baker) Prescott, ’70; Kris Steele, ’97; Jim Tye, ’62; Shirley (Bynum) Tye, ’87; and Joe Wilkins, ’87.
Faculty Hall of fame inductees will also be honored. This year’s inductees include Dr. Claudine Franks Dickey, OBU alumna, College of Nursing faculty member from 1962-75 and dean of the College of Nursing from 1982-99; Dr. Ronda Hall, professor of Spanish from 1973-2011; and Dr. Jimmie Russell, professor of education from 1981-2002.
At 8 p.m. Friday evening, the Fine Arts Gala will begin in Raley Chapel’s Potter Auditorium. This year's Gala will spotlight Dennis Jernigan, '81, and Arnold Rawls, '82, accompanied by OBU's University Chorale, Voce Vera, David's Creed and the OBU-Shawnee Community Orchestra. A special video tribute will honor OBU Professor Emeritus of Economics Dr. Max Brattin, who established the Max Brattin Fine Arts Endowment Fund. This is a ticketed event, with proceeds from ticket sales benefiting the College of Fine Arts endowed student scholarship fund.
Saturday’s events will begin at 7 a.m. with the Fourth Annual Bison Stampede starting at the Recreation and Wellness Center. Hosted by the RAWC Staff, this sanctioned and certified event features a 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk, a 5K run and a 10K run.
At 1 p.m., the Bison football team kicks off against Henderson State for the Homecoming football game. The 2015 Harvest King and Queen will be announced during halftime. Members of the 1990 Track and Field National Championship team will also be recognized.
Saturday night at 7 p.m., enjoy an evening of alumni artists and their work during Arts on The Hill. The night will feature musical acts Judith and The Atom Ray Trio; a reading by Dr. Brent Newson, '03; culinary delights courtesy of Cuppies & Joe; a wide array of visual art pieces from alumni through the years; and pieces from OBU Professor of Art Steve Hicks.