Pitt's Homecoming Festivities to Be Held Oct. 18-22

PITTSBURGH-The University of Pittsburgh will celebrate Homecoming 2006 with alumni, students, and friends from Oct. 18 through 22. Highlights include a fireworks and laser show, a homecoming extravaganza, a career-networking event, school reunions, and the Oct. 21 football game between the Pittsburgh Panthers and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.

Homecoming festivities begin with a '50s Reunion for all 1950-59 Pitt graduates at 5 p.m. Oct. 18 in the Twentieth Century Club, 4201 Bigelow Blvd., Oakland. Legacy Laureates, alumni recognized for their outstanding personal and professional accomplishments, will be honored Oct. 19 at a by-invitation-only dinner. They also will participate in a Laureate Leadership Panel Discussion with Pitt alumni and student leaders and attend the opening of the Pitt's Legacy Gallery, interactive displays in Pitt's Alumni Hall that describe the accomplishments and achievements of Pitt alumni and faculty. Alumni will offer insights into their occupations at Pathway to Professions: A Career Networking Event, to be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 19 in Alumni Hall's Connolly Ballroom, 4227 Fifth Ave. Oakland.

The free Pitt Program Council fireworks display welcomes everyone to campus with bursts of color and sound at 9:30 p.m. Oct. 20 from the closed-off Bigelow Boulevard between the Cathedral of Learning and the William Pitt Union. The festivities continue at 10 p.m. in the William Pitt Union with Casino Night, music, and refreshments.

The African American Alumni Council (AAAC) will host a Sankofa Awards Reception, Honoring Champions of Education, Culture, and Commitment, at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 20 in the Twentieth Century Club. The AAAC Sankofa award honors members of the University community who have exhibited outstanding educational support and service to students of African descent. This is the first year for the award. Other AAAC events include the Apple Seed Project in the Pittsburgh Public Schools earlier that day, the fall board meeting, an engineering mixer, and an "Old School Cabaret" at 8 p.m. Oct. 21 in the Hilton Hotel, downtown. A worship service and fellowship brunch Oct. 22 brings AAAC's festivities to a close.

Two hours before game kickoff Oct. 21 there will be a pregame fan fest on Art Rooney Avenue between Gates A and B, Heinz Field, featuring live radio broadcast, games for children, and activities for families. The Pitt Alumni Association pregame tent near Heinz Field features dancing and gatherings for members of the following alumni groups: AAAC, Alumnae Council, Biological Sciences, Dental Medicine, Education, Engineering, Family Weekend, '50s Reunion Group, General Studies, Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Information Sciences, Law, Medicine, Metro Pittsburgh Pitt Club, Nursing, Panther Club, Pharmacy, Pitt Band Alumni Council, Pitt Career Network, The Pitt News, Public Health, Public and International Affairs, and Theater Arts.

Starting at PNC Park, one hour before kickoff, the Pitt Marching Band will lead the "March to Victory" parade, following Art Rooney Avenue into Heinz Field. The Homecoming Court will ride in the parade, and the king and queen will be crowned during half-time activities.

Additional homecoming events include: College of Business Administration/Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business "51+ Luncheon"; Pitt Schools of Law, Pharmacy, Engineering, and Dental Medicine gatherings; and a lobby display in Stephen Foster Memorial, at Forbes Avenue and Bigelow Boulevard, honoring Pittsburgh's Fred Kelly (CAS '39), Broadway and film performer.

Throughout homecoming, Pitt Theater Arts will present After Ever After, a play exploring the Cinderella fairy tale with a twist, and the Kuntu Repertory Theater will perform In the Midnight Hour, a play exploring the struggles of a middle class family in Harlem.

For general information about Homecoming, call the Pitt Alumni Association at 412-624-8229 or 1-800-258-7488 or visit www.alumni.pitt.edu. For tickets to After Ever After, call 412-624-7529. For tickets to In the Midnight Hour, call 412-624-7298 or visit www.kuntu.org. For ticket information for the football game, call 1-800-643-7488 or visit www.pittsburghpanthers.com.

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10/12/06/tmw