Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College’s Homecoming is set for Sat., Oct. 11, at the Perkinston Campus. The celebration will actually begin on Friday, Oct. 10, with the Clem Dellenger Memorial Golf Tournament at Pine Burr Country Club in Wiggins and will culminate with the football game against East Central Community College at 3 p.m., Oct. 11, at A.L. May Memorial Stadium in Perkinston.
Brenda Donahoe, Gulf Coast’s alumni officer, said the 2008 Homecoming schedule has been revised so that all activities, except for the golf tournament, occur on one day. “It’s an event that’s intended for the whole family, and we want the day to be fun for all ages. We encourage our alumni and friends to join us and to bring their children, who will be entertained by jumping and coloring stations, face painting and an obstacle course.” Dress for the day will be casual or MGCCC logo.
The schedule of events for Saturday includes registration, 8:30-noon; a chapel service at 8:30 a.m. in Gregory War Memorial Chapel; the Alumni Art Show in the Malone Hall Gallery, 9 a.m. - noon; and the Alumni Hall of Fame and Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Malone Hall Auditorium, 10-11:30 a.m. The 1948 national championship team has also been invited to the reunion and will be recognized at the induction ceremony.
Alumni reunion groups from former Gulf Coast graduating classes ending in “8” will renew old friendships at the reunion gathering at Bryan Hall from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Homecoming guests are invited to the Blue and Gold Cookout Under the Oaks (in front of Dees Hall, $5 per plate). A pep rally and parade to the stadium will follow the cookout at 1:30 p.m. Pre-game ceremonies will be held at 2:40 p.m. and kick-off will be at 3 p.m.
The college’s Archives Museum will be open to the public from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Heidelberg Hall on Homecoming Day. A new exhibit, “Down South with the Dixie Press,” will showcase a journey from New Orleans to Mobile across the Mississippi Gulf Coast in photographs made from 1925 to 1980. Also on display will be photographs and artifacts relating the history of Gulf Coast from 1911-2008.
For the first time since graduation in May 1969, the college’s alma mater will be sung at an official event. Alumni and friends will sing the revised alma mater at the chapel service, the induction ceremony and during halftime. The 2008 Homecoming Court will be presented during halftime. The Alumni Hall of Fame and Athletic Hall of Fame honorees will be presented during pre-game activities.
For more information about the event or to pre-register, visit the Gulf Coast Homecoming site at www.mgccc.edu/events/2008_homecoming_registration.php.
