The annual University of the Ozarks Alumni Weekend, set for April 14-16, will feature a wide-range of new events for 2016, including a rededication ceremony for Munger-Wilson Chapel, a new brand rollout for the university, and a concert on the campus mall.
Organizers are expecting more than 500 visitors to campus this year for the weekend, which includes several family-friendly events. Many of the events are free and open to the general public. Guests are encouraged to register for the events by calling the Alumni Office at 979-1234 or going on-line at www.ozarks.edu/Register4AW.
"Alumni Weekend is always a special time to see old friends, reminisce on old memories and create new ones," said Alumni Director Brett Wood, a 2010 graduate of Ozarks. "We are excited about welcoming our alumni back to campus to connect with current students, faculty and staff and to see what their support is doing for this great university."
One of the highlights of Alumni Weekend 2016 will be a rededication ceremony for Munger-Wilson Chapel, scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 16. The Chapel recently underwent a 10-month, $2.75 million renovation thanks to a donation from Mrs. Frances E. Wilson of Tulsa, Okla. The rededication ceremony will be followed by a ribbon-cutting at the new Wilson Family Chapel Family Plaza and a luncheon in the Seay Student Center.
Another unique event this year will be a brand rollout ceremony at 6 p.m. Friday, April 15, in Robson Library where university officials will unveil new logos for both the university and the athletic programs. The university has been working with Jump Company, an advertising agency in St. Louis, on a rebranding effort for the past several months.
The brand rollout on Friday will be followed by a concert at 6:30 p.m. on the campus mall featuring the local classic rock band On The Verge. The concert is free and open to the public.
Another event scheduled for Friday is a "More Than a Paycheck: Professions with a Purpose" panel featuring recent U of O graduates David Ray ’07, Amanda Stang ’08 and Dr. Andrea Walker ’11. The panel event begins at 11 a.m. in Walker Hall.
At 1 p.m. on Friday in Baldor Auditorium, 1998 Ozarks graduate Dr. Benjamin Myers will be the featured speaker at the annual Alumni Lecture Series. Myers is a professor at Oklahoma Baptist University and is also the current poet laureate for the state of Oklahoma. He has published two books on poetry and will read some of his works.
Other events on Friday include a Raku Pottery Workshop, a 50-Year Club induction ceremony for the Class of 1966, and a reception for alumni featuring former and current Ozarks faculty and staff.
Saturday’s list of events begins at 8 a.m. with the second annual Color the Eagles 5K Race and 1-Mile Fun Run, beginning in the Walton Fine Arts Center parking lot. The cost to enter is $15 for the 5K and $10 for the 1-mile run. The runners will be doused with color powder at various stations throughout the run.
Also on Saturday, there will be a soccer tailgate picnic and carnival for families at the Hurie Soccer Field from 12:30 to 4 p.m. The afternoon will feature alumni soccer matches for both the men’s and women’s teams.
At 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, there will be an Alumni Brick Ceremony and Reception for alumni who have purchased bricks to be placed in the brick plaza.
For more information on any of the events, please contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 479-979-1234.
Topics: Alumni