Homecoming Week is well underway, featuring campus events throughout this week and carrying into this weekend. The theme for this year’s Homecoming is The Homecoming Games, based off this hit book and movie series, The Hunger Games by author Suzanne Collins.
Denvy Bowman, president of Capital University, will be attending some of the events and enjoys the atmosphere Homecoming week brings to campus.
“Homecoming weekend is a great opportunity for students, faculty, staff, friends, alumni, families to interact as a community,” Bowman said. “The activities always bring life and a lot of fun to campus.”
The festivities and events began on Monday, with Homecoming giveaways in the Student Union Lobby. Many of the items were Capital University gear, including foam fingers, hats, and shirts.
On Tuesday there was the return of the annual Homecoming bonfire on Schaaf Lawn. At the bonfire, the nominees for the 2015 Capital Homecoming Court were announced. The bonfire also featured guest speaker Craig Candeto, head football coach at Capital.
Wednesday brought the Hunger Games Events on Schaaf Lawn and the Mound Street Plaza. An inflatable obstacle course and archery games were the feature events of the night.
Crista Serluco, advisor of the Activities Management and Programming (AMP), explained the Hunger Games related to the event.
“We will have an archery game on a paintball course; only instead of paintball guns, everyone will have a safe version of bows and arrows,” Serluco said.
Taking place Thursday is the Dine and Do Good Event in Schneider. Capital University, in lieu of its much anticipated football game with rival Otterbein University, is engaging with Otterbein in a canned food drive event.
AMP is calling for one canned food item to gain entrance to the late night snack bar in Schnieder at 9 p.m. According to Serluco, all the canned goods will be donated to the Mid-Ohio Food Bank.
On Friday there will be a ceremony for the Professors Hall of Honor Inductions. The register-only event will feature and celebrate former members of Capital’s faculty and 2015 Inductees: Gene Allen, music; Kay Slocum, history; and the late Douglas Wells, law.
Friday also will feature the School of Nursing 65 Year Anniversary Luncheon located at the Franklin Park Conservatory on East Broad Street. The Celebration Luncheon will include guest speaker Kevin Sowers, president of Duke University Medical Center and Capital University graduate (’85, H’10).
Party on the Plaza will be taking place at 5 p.m. for a gathering of Capital alumni, students, faculty, staff and other members of the community.
Friday night will conclude with a Choral Celebration at 8 p.m. in Mees Hall, located in the Conservatory of Music.
The festivities on Homecoming Day, Saturday, will begin with the Crusader Canter, hosted by Capital’s Athletic Training Program. The Crusader Canter will include a two-mile walk or run around Bexley starting at 9 a.m.
CapFest on the Mound Street Plaza will start at 10:30 a.m. CapFest will feature live music, tables of represented student organizations, tailgating, and other activities.
At 1:30 p.m., the Crusader football team will be facing the Otterbein Cardinals at Bernlohr Stadium in the Homecoming football game. At halftime, the Capital Royalty will be announced from the Homecoming Court’s nominees.
“The spirit the football game brings to campus is the epitome of what it means to be a part of the Capital family,” Bowman said.
The Office of Diversity and Inclusion will be hosting the Alumni of Color Gathering and Family Cookout on Schaaf Lawn at 3 p.m.
The Capital University women’s soccer team will take on Otterbein at Bernlohr Stadium at 7 p.m.
Illusionist Michael Kent, a local Columbus resident, will be performing in Huntington Recital Hall at 8 p.m.
Homecoming Day concludes with the University Theatre production and Alumni Reunion. The production of Mary Zimmerman’s Metamorphoses will take place at the Cabaret Theatre, located in the Student Union. After the show, a special reunion reception will take place for Capital’s theatre alumni. Bowman is excited for the performance that will exhibit Capital’s best talents in theatre.
On Sunday, the Capital community is invited to a worship service at Christ Lutheran Church at 11:15 a.m.
Bowman believes Homecoming brings to light the special relationship Capital students and alumni share.
“No matter what the age difference, all the students and alumni are really a lot like each other,” Bowman said. “They all read the same books, were exposed to different ideals, and just share the same experiences that the curriculum and campus life that Capital provide.”
