Legendary Temptations Headline ECSU Homecoming Events
When Motown legends, The Temptations, come to the campus of Elizabeth City State University for the 2017 Homecoming celebration, you know it’s going to be a big week, with a whole lot of Viking Spirit.
The 2017 Homecoming theme, “Bad & Boujee: Viking Pride Magnified,” celebrates the pride and promise of ECSU. The week kicks off on Sunday, Oct. 8, and runs through Sunday, Oct. 15.
“Homecoming is an exciting time here at ECSU, and we look forward to welcoming back all our Viking alumni and friends for a weekend that will be filled with lasting memories,” said Dr. John Michael Lee, Jr., Vice Chancellor of University Advancement. “We have a very exciting line-up of activities that will engage students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends, while also engaging all the residents of Elizabeth City and Northeastern North Carolina.
While the events calendar for students and alumni comes to a climax on the field of Roebuck Stadium with a match between the Mighty Vikings and Lincoln University, the week leading up to the Saturday game promises to be epic.
As excitement surrounding the many homecoming events this year mounts, tradition still reigns supreme. Kicking off the week, on Sunday, Oct. 8, the Mister and Miss ECSU Royal Coronation will be held at the Mickey L. Burnim Fine Arts Center at 6 p.m.
Join Miss ECSU Arielle Beamon and Mister ECSU Nathaniel Cox as they formally take on their titles and prepare to serve during the 2017-2018 school year. The event is free and open to the public.
Throughout the week student activities will range from DJ in the Café to an evening social Wednesday, Oct. 11. But it’s Thursday, Oct. 12, when things kick into high gear for student activities, as well as the start of the highly anticipated Alumni Events and Reunions.
Beginning Thursday, students will gather for a carnival in the afternoon before the return of the 40 Under 40 Emerging Leaders Forum. The forum, beginning at 4 p.m. in the Ridley Student Center, features a panel of successful, young ECSU alumni speaking about their Viking experience and career paths after college.
It’s Thursday evening when homecoming excitement really gets started on campus. At 7 p.m. in the G.R. Little Theatre, a hypnotist will fascinate and entertain. Tickets are $5 for students and $7 for the general public.
The big ticket event comes at 8:30 p.m. when legendary Motown group, The Temptations, come to the ECSU campus for a concert. Held in the Mickey L. Burnim Fine Arts Center, tickets for this “Old School Jam Concert” are $50 in advance.
After an exciting evening with The Temptations, alumni will gather at the Loft Gardens in Elizabeth City on Friday, Oct. 13, for the Chancellor’s Homecoming Alumni Welcome Reception at 3 p.m. Also at 3 p.m., on the lawn in front of the Fine Arts Center, will be the “Bad & Boujee” Young Alumni Day Party. Tickets for this event are $20 in advance, or $35 at the door.
That evening, at the K.E. White Center, come celebrate some of ECSU’s finest athletes at the Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. The ceremony begins at 6:30 p.m., and tickets are $30.
The big alumni events include the Alumni Coronation, 7 p.m., Oct 12, at the K.E. White Center; the Alumni “Official MIxer” Ice Breaker, Friday, Oct. 13, 10 p.m. to 3 a.m., at the K. E. White Center, tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door; the Alumni Cabaret, Saturday, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., in the K.E. White Center; the Prayer Breakfast, 9 a.m., Sunday, Oct. 15, K.E. White Center, tickets are $15.
The big day, Saturday, Oct. 14, begins with tailgating at Roebuck Stadium at 7:30 a.m. and running through 5 p.m. The Homecoming Parade begins at 9 p.m., led by the parade’s grand marshall, James E. Cofield, grandson of former ECSU President and First Lady, John and Frances Bias.
The parade starts at 600 Westover Street, heads down Ehringhaus Street, to Water Street and down Southern Avenue, ending at the G.R. Little Library on campus.
The Vikings go up against Lincoln University at 1 p.m. Game tickets are $20 in advance or $25 on game day.
The day wraps up with a Homecoming Block Party at 4 p.m. on the Quad, a Homecoming Hip Hop Concert at 7 p.m. and a Pre-Dawn Party at 10 p.m. in the Vaughan Center.
Parade applications and vendors are currently being accepted and community sponsorships are now available. For more information go to www.ecsu.edu, or contact the homecoming chair, Dr. John Michael Lee, Jr., at 252-335-3223.