Missouri Western State University students, alumni, faculty, staff and the community will celebrate Homecoming 2017 Oct. 22-28, culminating with the Griffon football game against Washburn at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28 on Craig Field at Spratt Memorial Stadium. The theme this year is a nod to the Halloween season, “The Legend of Griffon Hollow.”

Homecoming this year features some new events, and some changes to old favorites, including a new route for the annual Homecoming Parade at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 28. All parade entries, including the bands, dignitaries and student organization floats, will step off from 22nd and Frederick, traveling down Frederick to Francis, and on Francis to 4th Street.

The Homecoming Committee invites the community to help save a life by participating in the Griffula Blood Drive Challenge vs. Northwest Missouri State University on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 24-26. The Community Blood Center will be collecting blood from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day in the Hoff Conference Rooms, Blum Student Union rooms 218-219.

The Missouri Western Alumni Association has created some new events to support Griffon spirit throughout the week:

  • Monday, Oct. 23 will be Black & Gold Day. Griffon alumni and supporters all over the world are encouraged to promote their alma mater by wearing Griffon gear and sharing on social media with the hashtag #BlackandGoldDay.
  • Tuesday, Oct. 24, Alumni Employee Breakfast. Faculty and staff who graduated from Missouri Western have been invited to a special breakfast at 7 a.m. in the Blum Union Food Court.
  • Wednesday, Oct. 25, Support a Griffon Business Day. Check into any participating Griffon-owned business listed on the Alumni Association’s website and share on social media with the hashtag #SupportGriffonBusiness. Many businesses are offering special discounts for the day.
  • Thursday, Oct. 26, Legacy Day. The Missouri Western Alumni Association Graduates of the Last Decade (GOLD) will partner with the Missouri Western State University Foundation to help alumni continue their #GriffonLegacy by giving back to their alma mater. The goal is to raise $10,000 in 24 hours. Two 1978 graduates of Missouri Western, Dan and Chris Danford, have generously agreed to match all donations up to $5,000. Gifts can be made at missouriwestern.edu/legacyday.

The week’s full schedule includes:

Sunday, Oct. 22

  • Alumni: Forever Griffons Luncheon, a Howlin’ Good Time, 11:30 a.m., Hall of Fame Banquet Room, Spratt Memorial Stadium, celebrating alumni from the 1940s through the 1970s. Student Dylan Walker will perform, and tours of the stadium will be offered. The cost is $15 per person and advance reservations are required.
  • Students: Kick Off Party Cookout and Bonfire, 6 p.m. outside Baker Fitness Center

Monday, Oct. 23

  • Alumni: Black & Gold Day
  • Students: Haunted Hunt, 8 p.m., Kelley Commons

Tuesday, Oct. 24

  • Alumni: Alumni Employee Breakfast, 7 a.m., Blum Union Food Court
  • Students, Alumni and Community: Griffula Blood Drive, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Blum Union rooms 218-219
  • Students: Minute to Win It Baseball Bash, 7 p.m. Griffon Student Field (50th Street behind residence halls)

Wednesday, Oct. 25

  • Alumni: Support a Griffon Business Day
  • Students, Alumni and Community: Griffula Blood Drive, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Blum Union rooms 218-219
  • Students: Comedy Hypnosis Show with Steve Meade, 7 p.m., Kemper Recital Hall, Spratt 101

Thursday, Oct. 26

  • Alumni: Griffon Legacy Day
  • Students, Alumni and Community: Griffula Blood Drive, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Blum Union rooms 218-219
  • Students: Monster Mash Bash Costume Party and Dance, 8 p.m., Fulkerson Center

Friday, Oct. 27

  • Alumni: Alumni Golf Outing, 10 a.m., Fairview Golf Course. The cost is $45 per person; advance registration is required.
  • Alumni: 35th annual Alumni Awards Banquet, 5:30 p.m. reception, 6:15 p.m. dinner and program. The cost is $30 per person; advance registration is required. Storyteller Will Stuck, a 2000 graduate of Missouri Western, will emcee the evening celebrating our award winners and introducing the new Great Griffon and Student Leadership Awards. Honorees include James Sheehan ’78, John Klindt ’11, Tom and Patsy ’95 Smith, Dr. Jeff Poet, Corky Marquardt ’84, Mary Beth Schmitz ’99, Diane Waddell ’66 & ’91, LaShaundra Randolph ’03, Marrita Black ’75, Bre’Anna Watkins ’17, Deir Montiel Dominguez ’17, Reyhan Wilkinson ’17.
  • Students: Pep Rally, approximately 8:45 p.m. after the volleyball match, Looney Arena.

Saturday, Oct. 28

  • Alumni: Future Griffs Costume Breakfast, 8 a.m., American Red Cross, 401 N. 12th Kids are encouraged to

    (Photo by Patrick P. Evenson)

    come in costume for donuts and milk before the Homecoming Parade, and to join the alumni float in the parade. Free, but pre-registration is requested for an accurate count.

  • Alumni, Students and Community: Homecoming Parade, 9 a.m., Downtown St. Joseph
  • Alumni, Students and Community: Arts, Beats & Treats, 10 a.m. (after the parade), Remington Hall Atrium. Family fun, crafts and a free Future Griffon t-shirt while supplies last.
  • Alumni: Black & Gold Renewal Tailgate, Parking Lot H. Catch up with old friends and get a free t-shirt while they last. The tailgate is free, but pre-registration is requested for an accurate count.
  • Alumni, Students and Community: Homecoming football game vs. Washburn, 2 p.m., Spratt Stadium. Alumni Award Recipients will be recognized and competition winners announced.

Presiding over the week’s festivities will be the 2017 Homecoming Royalty Court:

  • Ben Allen, junior biology major from St. Joseph
  • Tyler Evans, senior business major from Apex, North Carolina
  • Kyle Fuson, junior business major from St. Joseph
  • Tiffany Mabery, junior nursing major from Lawson, Missouri
  • Courtney Kipping, senior business major from Camden Point, Missouri
  • Joseph Kellogg, junior economics major from St. Joseph
  • Alexie Davis, junior nursing major from Lee’s Summit, Missouri
  • Savannah Vugamott, junior business major from Savannah, Missouri
  • Paige Phipps, senior nursing major from Omaha, Nebraska
  • Bridgett Blessie, senior business major from Omaha, Nebraska

Royalty will be crowned during the pep rally Friday evening.

Information on student Homecoming activities is available at www.missouriwestern.edu/homecoming. Information and registration for alumni activities is available at www.missouriwestern.edu/alumni/homecoming.

Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.