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Homecoming featured big plans for returning Oles

By Clare Kennedy '07
October 3, 2005

St. Olaf College welcomed parents, alumni and friends to enjoy three days of festivities during its annual Homecoming and Family Weekend 2005, Sept. 30 to Oct. 2.

This year's celebration offered participants a wide variety of activities: concerts, dance, picnics, a play, art exhibits and several sporting events in addition to the traditional football game. Throughout the weekend, guests also participated in the campus-wide search for the Golden Egg (sponsored by the Student Alumni Association) and the first 10x10 Alumni Art Invitational.

On Friday, visitors lived the life of an Ole for a day by attending open classes, the daily chapel service and lunch in Stav Hall. Student-led campus tours showed what's new on campus while self-guided tours showcased the college's unique outdoor art collection. Guests also attended a concert by Muziko Nova, a student-run, new-music organization comprised of student composers/musicians.

Friday evening, guests had the option of the Limestones reunion concert in the Lion's Pause in Buntrock Commons, or an invigorating Lingo Dancetheatre performance in Dittmann Center. The Limestones are a male a capella group that has been dazzling Oles for the past 17 years. The Lingo Dancetheatre is an acclaimed modern dance company from Seattle and includes dancer and St. Olaf alumus Dustin Haug '00.

Also Friday evening, St. Olaf Dean of Students Greg Kneser hosted "The Ghosts of St. Olaf College," a campus tour that explored haunts on the Hill. The tour ended at Thorson Hall with the annual bonfire, hot chocolate and s'mores.

Alumni reunion celebration events were held for the classes of 1985, 1990, 1995, 2000 and 2005, plus a special Young Alumni Reunion on Friday night.

Saturday brought Learning Seminars throughout the day and featured presentations about career options, art history, international studies, St. Olaf stories, first-year adjustments and a sustainability tour that highlighted the college's commitment to environmental stewardship.

The annual 5K Homecoming Run/Walk began Saturday morning, followed by the Ole Club luncheon picnic.

Saturday afternoon St. Olaf hosted St. Thomas for the Homecoming football game, while Women's Soccer took on Gustavus Adolphus.

Saturday evening the St. Olaf Department of Athletics honored its new inductees into its Athletics Hall of Fame following dinner. The year's inductees are Frederick Aker '83, the late Paul Arvesen '48, Renae Brown '95, James Dimick, Amy Rolloff Marker '91, Allen Rice '58 and Tim Smith '70.

Also on Saturday, the annual St. Olaf Band "Collage" concert, conducted by Timothy Mahr '78, payed musical tribute to British novelist J.R.R. Tolkien (Lord of the Rings). Also featured were guest conductor Elizabeth Jackson '83 and a work by Northfield composer Daniel Kallman.

The weekend ended with a noon Jazz Brunch Sunday and the Family Weekend Concert featuring the Norseman Band, St. Olaf Philharmonia, Manitou Singers and Viking Chorus.

Contact Carole Engblom at 507-646-3271 or leigh@stolaf.edu.