A week of Hatter festivities has begun as Stetson University celebrates Homecoming 2015. From the Greenfeather competition, to the Homecoming football game at Spec Martin Memorial Stadium, Saturday, Nov. 14, plus everything else in between, the campus is wrapped up in a whirlwind of grand traditions and exciting new events for the enjoyment of all.

A series of major events have been planned for current students and returning alumni. The full schedule of events can be found at Homecoming 2015, on the Alumni website.

Two of the most popular events, as described in the Homecoming video, include the Greenfeather competition and Airwaves. This especially rings true for two individuals: Dani Barnes ’16, vice president of the Stetson Homecoming Committee, and Associate Director for Alumni Engagement Amy Dedes ’04.

“As of right now, we have just over 500 alumni who are registered through our office to return to Stetson next week,” said Dedes. “That’s actually about 150 more than were registered at this time last year. We have nine classes celebrating reunions this year.”

Barnes adds, “The alumni are a big part of Homecoming, and we make sure to appeal to all age groups, whether it’s the older alumni or the most recent alumni.”

Classes that will celebrate reunions include the Class of 1955, which is celebrating 60 years, Class of 1960 celebrating its 55^th anniversary, and so on, with reunions celebrated in intervals of five years until the Class of 2005, celebrating its 10th anniversary. All of these reunions will be occurring on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 13, 14. The President’s Champagne Breakfast will be celebrated Saturday morning, Nov. 14, at 9 a.m., which will be “a great event,” Dedes said.

There will be two ceremonies honoring Stetson alumni who have served in the Armed Forces: this year’s Veterans Day ceremony will be held around the university’s new flagpole in front of the Carlton Union Building CUB) on Wednesday, Nov. 11–Veterans Day. And the dedication ceremony for the Vietnam Veterans monument, just north of Griffith Hall, will be held Saturday, Nov. 14, at 11 a.m. Stetson alumnus, decorated Vietnam veteran and former U.S. Senator from Georgia Max Cleland, will attend this event. There will also be an alumni ceremony Sunday morning, Nov. 15, in Lee Chapel, which will feature “a moment of golden silence” for those alumni who have passed away.

Stetson’s Homecoming Week will be a time for joy and celebration for all Hatters. As for Dedes and Barnes, both are looking forward to the Greenfeather events, the Airwaves event, and Friday night’s IGNITE!, which will feature comedian, former SNL alumna Nasim Perdad. And as Barnes put it, “I hope everyone’s as excited as I am!”

Be sure to watch HATTERS GET READY!

by David Baker