OBU to Host Homecoming Weekend Nov. 11-12

October 25, 2016

For decades, Bison have gone with Ka-Rip. Generations of alumni excitedly "let'er go ruse" to cheer the Green and Gold to victory. The chant is a timeless OBU tradition the University and its friends return to time and again to celebrate the Bison Spirit.

OBU alumni, friends, students, faculty, staff and the public are invited to share in the tradition as the University hosts Zip! Bang! OBU! Homecoming 2016, Nov. 11-12.

Tickets for special events may be purchased online at www.okbu.edu/events. The homecoming website www.okbu.edu/homecoming also includes a full schedule of events, including class gatherings, fellowships, golf tournament information, and more.

OBU Theatre is proud to present the madcap classic comedy, “You Can’t Take it with You,” by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman. The first performance of the Homecoming weekend will be staged Thursday, Nov. 10, at 7:30 p.m. in the Craig-Dorland Theatre of Shawnee Hall. Additional performances will be held Saturday, Nov. 12, at 7:30 p.m. as well as Sunday, Nov. 13, at 2:30 p.m. Performances will also be held the previous weekend, Nov. 3 through Nov. 6. Tickets are $11 for adults and $5 for students. Tickets may be ordered online at www.okbu.edu/theatre, and may be ordered by phone at (405) 585-4350. Tickets may also be purchased at the box office in Sarkeys Telecommunication Center Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 11, will feature many activities around campus. The day will begin with a special Veterans Day ceremony at Gold Star Park, just off the intersection of Kickapoo and University, adjacent to Ford Music Hall. Special class luncheons kick off at 11 a.m. (see website for details) and the golf tournament tees off at noon at the Shawnee Country Club.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of OBU’s 1966 NAIA Championship winning men’s basketball team, and a special luncheon and program will take place from 12:30 to 4 p.m. in the Mabee Suite in the Noble Complex, honoring the team and focusing on the classes from that era.

The third annual Homecoming Worship service will be held in Stubblefield Chapel on Friday at 1:30 p.m. Congregational singing will be led by Jerry Jones, '61, and the service will feature a number of alumni, coordinated by and including Walter Grady, '71.

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 Graduate of the Last Decade, Profile in Excellence and Alumni Achievement Awards. Tickets are $20 through Oct. 24, $23 until Nov. 7 and $26 thereafter.

The men’s basketball team tips off their season at 7 p.m. in the Noble Complex against cross-town rival St. Gregory’s University.

At 8:30 p.m., the Fine Arts Showcase will begin in Raley Chapel’s Potter Auditorium. This year's event will feature performances by Symphonic Winds, University Chorale, Bison Glee Club, Bisonettes, David’s Creed, University Ringers, Bison Jazz Orchestra, and 519 Collective. A combined choir will close the evening with “Hallelujah” from Handel’s “Messiah,” a work which will be performed in full during the university’s Hanging of the Green celebration Dec. 3.

Friday’s activities will close out with the Olde Fashioned Ice Cream Social in the upper level of the Geiger Center at 9:30 p.m., an event for all alumni, families, and members of the university community.

Saturday’s events will begin at 7 a.m. with the Fifth 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. To register, visit www.okbu.edu/bison-stampede.

Saturday morning also includes the ODK breakfast at 8:30 a.m. at Benedict Street Marketplace.

Academic reunions will be held around campus. A list of locations can be found on the homecoming page. Deans new and old will be present to answer questions and update alumni on progress in the varying academic areas. These reunions are open to all alumni regardless of reunion year.

The Children’s Festival will be held in Shawnee Hall from 9:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., for ages four through sixth grade. A sack lunch will be provided for the kids. Class reunion luncheons will be held at 11 a.m. and campus tours will be offered at 11 a.m. for grades seven through twelve.

At 1 p.m., the Bison football team kicks off against Southern Nazarene University for the Homecoming football game. During the game, Alumni Fest will be hosted in the tent on the southeast side of the stadium inside the stadium gates and is sponsored by McAlister’s Deli and First United Bank. This event is open to all alumni present at the game. The 2016 Harvest King and Queen will be announced during halftime. To purchase football tickets, visit www.obubison.com.

Saturday night beginning at 5:30 p.m., enjoy an evening of alumni artists and their work during Arts on The Hill. The event will take place in the Art Building off of Kickapoo and Midland and feature music by the Bison Jazz ensemble and light refreshments.