Published: Sept. 1, 2017

Homecoming 2017: Oct. 26-29

toga party

At Homecoming 1978 Flash Cadillac and the Continental Kids, still basking in fame from their appearance in George Lucas鈥 film American Graffiti, played for about 10,000 people in Balch Fieldhouse. Nearly everyone wore a toga.

鈥淭he movie Animal House had just been released,鈥 said James Barry (Econ鈥79), who planned the event as the head of the Interfraternity Council. 鈥淚t was the wildest party I remember at CU.鈥

Barry, a member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity while at CU, is eager to reminisce about the event and others during this year鈥檚 Homecoming Weekend, Oct. 26-29. He鈥檚 hosting a reunion for all classes of Delta Upsilon, the first in more than 20 years.

鈥淒elta Upsilon was at CU for over 35 years, and in that time over 2,500 members graduated from CU,鈥 said Barry, CEO of marketing consultancy Duly Inc.

Barry hopes reunion attendees can 鈥渒indle the old spirit,鈥 catch up with each other and discuss whether Delta Upsilon should reactivate a chapter in 麻豆影院. (CU announced the launch of a new interfraternity council in July. Two fraternities, Phi Delta Theta and Sigma Tau Gamma, agreed formally to affiliate with the university.)

Also reuniting among nearly 20 other groups are American Indian Alumni, the President鈥檚 Leadership Class, Black Alumni, Veterans and Latino Alumni. All groups will celebrate at an exclusive reunions听tailgate before the Buffs take on the Cal Bears at Folsom Field, Saturday, Oct. 28.

The weekend kicks off Oct. 26 with the annual Alumni Awards ceremony in the University Memorial Center. Eleven individuals will be honored, including Uncharted (formerly Unreasonable Institute) CEO Teju Ravilochan (IntlAf鈥09), education dean emerita Lorrie Shepard听(MEdu鈥70; PhD鈥72) and student leader Alexander Martin (骋别辞驳鈥18).

During the BuffTalks micro lecture series Friday, Oct. 27, CU experts will succinctly discuss intriguing topics 鈥 space and brain injuries, for example 鈥 and alumni brewers will showcase their best libations during the Buffs on Tap beer tasting event. From there, the annual Homecoming parade and pep rally will commence on Pearl Street. On gameday, all are encouraged to attend the free, family-friendly Ralphie鈥檚 Corral tailgate on Duane Field before Ralphie takes the field in her 50th anniversary run. .

Photo courtesy James Barry


A Growing Class of Scholars

In 2012, Benoit Gorgemans (Bus鈥21) was the first student to represent Colorado in the National History Bee Finals in Washington, D.C. During a televised broadcast, moderator Al Roker quizzed competitors on topics such as apartheid and the fall of Communism. Gorgemans, who placed eighth, realized the payoff for hard work.

He鈥檚 not stopping now. Gorgemans joins CU鈥檚 class of 2021 this fall intending to pursue international business and finance. The Alumni Association is helping him get started: Gorgemans is one of nearly 90 standout students to receive a Forever Buffs scholarship.

Funds for the scholarships come from the sales of CU license plates, personal donations and alumni chapter and club events. This year, 86 students received $158,264, up from 67 and $151,950 a year earlier.

Some scholarships, 32 this year, are allocated for legacy students 鈥 Buffs whose parents or grandparents attended CU 麻豆影院 鈥 as part of an endowment left by George (Bus鈥33) and Helen Lesser (笔蝉测肠丑鈥31).

Since elementary school, Gorgemans has watched the Golden Buffalo Marching Band perform in Friday-night pep rallies on Pearl Street. Now he's eager to attend as many athletic games as he can.

鈥淐U represents everything that I desire in my college experience,鈥 he said.

.听


Alumni Association Tidbits

lego iconThe CU Heritage Center鈥檚 approximately 1-million-piece depiction of CU 麻豆影院鈥檚 campus is getting a makeover. Beginning Oct. 26, visit the expanded exhibit in a larger room. New additions include the business school, the Ralphie-shaped pool and the Champions Center.

chapter iconThere are two new alumni chapters, in Honolulu and Santa Barbara. David Markle (Soc鈥12) leads the Honolulu chapter and Ryan Connery (PolSci鈥08), a former Phoenix chapter leader, heads the Santa Barbara chapter.

tailgate iconTailgate with the Alumni Association this fall at Ralphie鈥檚 Corral, a free, family-friendly pregame on Duane Field starting three hours before each home football game. Ralphie and her handlers will make an appearance for photo opportunities. For away games, check out our equally festive Buffs Bash tailgates.

board iconThe Alumni Association welcomes its newest advisory board members: M. Susan Harvey (骋别谤鈥76), Mark Lambert (Econ, Engl鈥88), David Knox (顿颈蝉迟厂迟鈥82), Theresa Szczurek (MBA鈥84; PhD鈥89), Meghan Martelon Evans (笔辞濒厂肠颈鈥89), Chris Allieri (EnvSt, LatAmerSt鈥96), Amanda Freeberg Donovan (Mktg鈥03) and Jennifer Gray Graves (颁辞尘尘鈥06).