September 28, 2018

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MILWAUKEE — Marquette University will host a series of events and celebrations during Homecoming Week and Alumni Reunion Weekend. Marquette is expecting to welcome thousands of current students, alumni and friends to the various events. Approximately 30,000 of Marquette's more than 114,000 alumni nationwide live in southeast Wisconsin.

"Homecoming Week is a time for our entire community to celebrate what makes a Marquette education so special. The energy and excitement on campus will be palpable, and I look forward to participating in many of the events alongside our students, faculty, staff and generous alumni — all of whom have such incredible passion for our mission," said Marquette University President Michael R. Lovell.

Homecoming events

Monday, Oct. 1: The Homecoming Banner Parade will run from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., with Marquette student organizations and groups parading banners around the Marquette Mile, which encircles the academic buildings on campus. Immediately following the parade will be the first Homecoming Yard Show, which is presented by the National Pan-Hellenic Council and the Multicultural Greek Council, and will showcase the organizations' strolls, steps, chants and traditions.

Tuesday, Oct. 2: A "Stuff the Truck" food drive will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Westowne Square, 1442 W. Wisconsin Ave. The goal of the event, which is a collaboration among Sodexo and Marquette Dining Services, is to collect 4,500 pounds of food for community members in need.

The day closes with Tuesday Night Mass at 10 p.m. in St. Joan of Arc Chapel, a tradition at the heart of Marquette's campus.

Thursday, Oct. 4: Students, alumni, faculty and staff will take part in a MU Spotlight talent show competition, which starts at 8:30 p.m. in the Varsity Theatre, 1326 W. Wisconsin Ave.

Friday, Oct. 5: Faculty, staff and student teams will participate in a "bed races" competition outside the Al McGuire Center, 770 N. 12th St., at 4 p.m.

A Lakefront Bash with music, games and food trucks will be held at Veterans Park, 1010 N. Lincoln Memorial Dr. at 5 p.m., followed by the Glow Blue and Gold 5K Run/Walk, which begins with a Family Fun 1K run at 6:30 p.m. followed by a 5K run/walk at 7 p.m., beginning at Veterans Park. Proceeds from this event will support Marquette's Midnight Run, a volunteer service program focused on the filling the needs of the hungry and homeless living in the community around Marquette.

Beginning at 9 p.m., Marquette students can help kick off the men's and women's basketball season with Marquette Madness, which will feature multi-platinum six-time Grammy nominee, B.o.B.

Saturday, Oct. 6: See the men's and women's basketball teams in action with open practices at the Al McGuire Center, located at 770 N. 12th St. The men's basketball team will take the Al McGuire Court starting at 9:30 a.m., with the women's basketball team taking center stage at noon.

A block party featuring activities, games and picnic-style food will take place in Westowne Square, 1442 W. Wisconsin Ave., from noon to 5 p.m.

A Multicultural Celebration presented by the Ethnic Alumni Association, the Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion, and the Educational Opportunity Program, will be held from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Lunda Room and Innovation Kitchen, located in the Alumni Memorial Union, 1442 W. Wisconsin Ave.

7 p.m. — The All-American Rejects will rock Marquette's campus at this year's concert. The private concert is free and open to Marquette students, alumni, faculty and staff. Gates will open at 5 p.m. and the concert will begin at 7 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 7: A special Homecoming Mass at the Church of the Gesu will close out the celebration at 6 p.m.

Find a list of all Homecoming events at mu.edu/homecoming/events.

The week is sponsored by: Pepsi; David Mayhood, Eng '67; Town Bank, ITW, Olive Promotions & Apparel, MillerCoors, Studio 620D, Fresh2Go by Sendik's, Milwaukee Pretzel Company, Sartori, Aurora Health Care, Harley-Davidson, Near West Side Partners and Potawatomi Business Development Corp. Media sponsors include: 88.9FM Radio Milwaukee, Marquette Radio, MUTV, MKE Moms Blog and OnMilwaukee.com.

Members of the media who are interested in attending any of the events should contact Chris Jenkins in the Office of Marketing and Communication.