Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Campus and Alumni to Celebrate Islander Homecoming 2005 with Week of Events

Coastal Bend community invited to join University in Homecoming festivities

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi alumni will join with current students and their families, and University faculty and staff to celebrate the sixth annual Islander Homecoming and Parents Week from Monday, Jan. 31-Saturday, Feb. 5.

The weeklong festivities celebrating the history and traditions of the Island University are being organized and sponsored by the A&M-Corpus Christi Alumni Association, the Campus Activities Board, the Student Government Association and others. The theme of this year’s celebration is “Keeping Tradition Alive at Homecoming 2005.”

According to the University’s Alumni Association, an estimated 25,000 students have graduated since the University of Corpus Christi opened its doors in 1947. More than 10,000 graduates live in the local area and a total of about 14,000 live in the state of Texas. The Alumni Association currently has four functioning chapters and four new chapters starting up. All graduates and former students from the University of Corpus Christi, Texas A&I University at Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi State University and Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi are considered to be alumni.

“Homecoming offers a unique opportunity to reach out to former students and get them back to the University so they can see the tremendous strides that have been made in programs and expansion of the campus,” said Larry Olivarez Jr., vice president of the University’s Alumni Association and chair of the Homecoming committee. “We also want alumni to see the improvements in the city, especially the new American Bank Center Arena where the University’s basketball teams play…Our ultimate goal is to make Homecoming week an annual event that the entire community rallies around,” he added.

Homecoming week highlights include:

• Monday – The Homecoming Kickoff Picnic will be held at the Lee Fountain Plaza between Corpus Christi Hall and the Mary and Jeff Bell Library from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at which time the Homecoming Queen and King nominees and court will be presented. The Islanderino Casino Night will begin at 6 p.m. in the University Center, Lone Star Ballroom.
• Tuesday/Wednesday – Islander athletics takes center stage as the baseball team hosts Texas Southern University in a Tuesday doubleheader beginning at noon. In addition, the women’s basketball team will take on the University of Houston at 7 p.m. in the American Bank Center Arena. On Wednesday, the Islander men’s basketball team will play IP Fort Wayne, also at 7 p.m. in the American Bank Center Arena.
• Friday – Student Organizations will present the Islander Revue from 7:-8:30 p.m. in the Warren Theatre located in the Center for the Arts building. Immediately afterward, the annual Homecoming Pep Rally and Lighting of the “I” ceremony will take place at the Lee Fountain Plaza. At 8 p.m., the College of Education will host an alumni reception and “School Daze” sock hop in the University Center Commons.
• Saturday – The Islander Parents/Alumni Awards Brunch will be held from 10:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. in the University Center, Lone Star Ballroom. In addition, the Homecoming Queen and King will be crowned and former Islander athletes presented during halftime of the men’s basketball game against Texas-Pan American. The game, which tips off at 7 p.m., will be preceded by the women’s game against Longwood University at 3 p.m. During halftime of the women’s game, Alumni Award winners, members of the Athletic Hall of Fame, the Homecoming Court and Homecoming contests winners will be recognized. Between games, the Islander Block Party will be held in front of the American Bank Center.

For more information on Homecoming 2005, call the A&M-Corpus Christi Alumni Association at (361) 825-5787 or go to the website and click on 2005 Homecoming schedule. A complete list of Homecoming events follows.

Monday, Jan. 3

• Homecoming Kickoff Picnic - Presentation of king and queen nominees and court – 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.; Lee Plaza
• Islanderino Casino Night - 6 p.m.; University Center, Lone Star Ballroom
• Paint the Campus & Best Banner Student Competitions – All week
• Tuesday, Feb. 1
• Blood Drive – 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; University Center, east lawn
• HC Community Service Project - TBA
• Black History Month Kickoff Event – Noon
• Islander Baseball – Doubleheader vs. Texas Southern University (Houston) – noon; baseball field
• Housing Hoopla “Rally Up” - 6 p.m.; Miramar Apartments
• Women’s Basketball – Islanders vs. University of Houston – 7 p.m.; American Bank Center Arena

Wednesday, Feb. 2

• HC Community Service Project - TBA
• Men’s Basketball – Islanders vs. IP Fort Wayne – 7 p.m.; American Bank Center Arena
• “Glow Zone” Party - 10 p.m.; Miramar Apartments

Thursday, Feb. 3

• Blue & Green Day – 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; University Center table
• Blood Drive – 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; University Center, east lawn
• Homecoming Poker Walk – 12:15 p.m.; Stations across the campus
• Blue Crew Spirit Party – 5-7 p.m.; Miramar Apartments

Friday, Feb. 4

• Reunion Group Reception – 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; University Center, Legacy Hall – Classes celebrating their 50th, 25th, 10th, and 5th anniversaries
• Friday Fiesta - 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.; Center for Instruction, courtyard
• Campus Tours – 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., University Center, east entrance
• Official Ring Ceremony – 2-3 p.m., University Center, Lone Star Ballroom
• ‘Meet the Prof Social’ - 2:30-4 p.m.; University Center, Tejas Room
• Housing Hoopla Sports Tournament – 3:30 p.m.; Miramar Apartments
• Athletic Hall of Honor Dinner – 5-7:30 p.m.; University Center, Oso Room
• Islander Revue – 7-8:30 p.m.; Warren Theatre in Center for the Arts
• College of Education “School Daze” Alumni Reception and Dance – 8 p.m.; University Center Commons
• Pep Rally & Lighting of the ‘I’ – 8:30 p.m.; Lee Fountain Plaza

Saturday, Feb. 5

• Class Reunion Photos/Memorabilia Collection – 9-10:30 a.m.; University Center, Legacy Hall – Classes celebrating their 50th, 25th, 10th and 5th anniversaries
• Islander Parents/Alumni Awards Brunch – 10:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m.; University Center, Lone Star Ballroom
• Recreational Sports Family Fun Day – 11 a.m.-1 p.m.; TBA
• Alumni Annual Meeting – 12:30-1:30 p.m.; University Center, Lone Star Ballroom
• Women’s Basketball: Islanders vs. Longwood University – 3 p.m.; American Bank Center Arena
• Presentation of Alumni Award winners, Athletic Hall of Fame and Homecoming Court; freshmen, sophomore and junior court; recognition of winners of Homecoming contests
• Islander Block Party – 4:30-7 p.m.; American Bank Center
• Men’s Basketball: Islanders vs. UT Pan Am; 7 p.m.; American Bank Center Arena
• King and Queen crowned at half-time and former athletes presented