SSU Homecoming Celebration Oct. 1-3

SALISBURY, MD--Salisbury State University's 1999 combination homecoming and reunion festivities begin at noon Friday, October 1, and continue through 4 p.m. Sunday, October 3.

This year's theme is Countin Down the 90s. Roy S. Perdue, director of alumni relations, said some 1,000 former graduates are expected to attend.

Perdue believes the large influx of alumni is due to numerous special events open to the public and activities being independently organized by members of the Classes of 1949, 59, 74 and 79.

"Each year, we try to broaden the scope of this event," he said. "This year, we have children of those who established this institution in 1925 coming to visit, and alumni and retired faculty from as far away as Florida and New Mexico."

Exhibits from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Atrium Gallery in the Guerrieri University Center, Fulton Hall Gallery and the Alumni House are just a few of the highlights on tap for opening day.

Food - breakfasts, lunches and dinners - will be served at SSU's Commons, one of the University's recently constructed multipurpose facilities.

The annual Athletic Hall of Fame Induction is Friday night at the Guerrieri Center. This year's inductees are Anita Gruss, (78, field hockey and womens lacrosse) and Les Wright (84, track/cross country). A special Alumni Tent will be open from noon-4 p.m. Saturday at Sea Gull Stadium at South Division and Bateman streets as SSU's football team takes on Catholic University's Cardinals.

The Department of Nursing celebrates its 20-year anniversary with a reunion dinner Saturday beginning at 5 p.m. Over 1,000 nurses have graduated from the program since its inception. Graduates of the former PGH School of Nursing are also invited.

SSU's mens soccer teams of 1947-49, state champions of yesteryear, will hold their 50th reunion beginning at 5:30 p.m. Saturday in the Montgomery Room of the Commons. There will be a social hour and food, but the main course is likely to be nostalgia.

A 9 a.m. Sunday golf outing at the Greenfields Golf Course near Route 50 in Berlin, MD, begins the final day of celebration.

For SSU alumni more interested in the schools noteworthy academic growth in the last 74 years, there are dozens of cultural activities all three days: tours, reunions, receptions, honors ceremonies, entertainment.

"Camaraderie is the primary goal. We will do our best to accommodate everyone who shows up to help us celebrate SSU's final homecoming of the 1990s," Perdue said.

To obtain additional information, telephone 410-543-6042 or toll-free 1-888-SBY-ALUM(729-2586).