Homecoming Excitement Comes to Husson University Early This Year
Published on: August 12, 2022
BANGOR, MAINE – Homecoming Weekend is an excitement-filled event for alumni, friends and current students. This year, the celebration at Husson University runs from Friday, September 9 through Saturday, September 10, 2022. The featured football game will pit Husson University against rival Plymouth State.
“Homecoming is a great opportunity for individuals to gather and celebrate with former classmates and friends.” said Robert A. Clark, PhD, CFA, president of Husson University. “We are looking forward to seeing alumni when they return to campus. Events are planned that provide a terrific opportunity for our graduates to reconnect with old friends they may not have seen in years.”
The weekend kicks off on Friday, September 9, 2022 with the Alumni Hall of Fame Ceremony & Reception in the Gracie Theatre at 4 p.m. Each year, Husson recognizes several special individuals who have brought distinction to themselves and their alma mater through their devotion to education, professionalism and service. In addition to being honored for their personal and career achievements, these individuals are recognized for their support of the university and its mission.
Six Husson graduates will be recognized this year. George Pusey, MBA, MS, OTR/L '12, '13G will be honored as this year’s young alumnus. He is an occupational therapist for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in the Houston, Texas area.
In addition, alumni Roberta Winchell, J.D. '94 and Errol James '74 will be inducted into the Alumni Hall of Fame. Winchell is an attorney at Winchell Law & Associates, LLC in Bangor, Maine. In 2011, James started his own firm, SoundView Partners, where he served as the organization’s managing partner until he retired. This firm that provided IT consulting, systems integration, outsourcing, technology and merger and acquisition services.
This year’s Honorary Alumnus is Lambros Karris, EdD. Karris is a professor emeritus of psychology who worked at Husson from 1969 to 2007. During his tenure, he helped establish the psychology department at the University. He was also instrumental in helping Husson transition from a college to a university. More recently, Karris served as a member of the Campaign Steering Committee for the University’s Shaping our Future Comprehensive Campaign. This fundraising effort raised over $38 million to help provide endowment support, scholarships, annual gifts and the resources needed to create Harold Alfond Hall. All of these initiatives significantly enriched the educational opportunities available to Husson students.
This year’s Presidential Outstanding Service Award will go to Tony and Dottie Tammaro Cerbone '72/'66. The Cerbones served on the University’s Bangor Alumni Board for over 25 years. Homecoming is one of their favorite Husson events.
Homecoming weekend resumes on Saturday, September 10, 2022 with four different activities that all start at 10 a.m.
The Alumni and Friends tent will be open to all Husson University students and graduates from 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Homecoming attendees are encouraged to stop by the tent, grab some Husson branded swag, and reconnect with members of our Husson family.
A cornhole tournament will take place outside of the Alumni and Friends tent prior to the football game. During the tournament, alumni face off against students for the honor of being named campus cornhole champion. This is the inaugural Homecoming cornhole tournament. No particular athletic skill is required to play this fun game. Who will “bag” the championship?
Homecoming attendees can also participate in a rousing game of “Where’s Baldwin?” between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Participants start by picking up a card at the Alumni & Friends tent. They then explore the campus and record places they’ve visited. Upon completion, participants will be entered into a drawing for a swag basket.
Tailgating for the football game begins at 10 a.m. in the parking lots for the O’Keefe Softball Field, adjacent to the Winkin Sports Complex. If you love barbecue, this is the place to be!
If barbecue isn’t your thing, you can enjoy an “all-you-can-eat” brunch at the Dickerman Dining Center (DDC). Open from 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., the DDC is located between Carlisle Hall, Peabody Hall and Bell Hall.
Kickoff for the football game between the Husson Eagles and the panthers of Plymouth State begins at 12 p.m. (noon) at the Winkin Sports Complex. During halftime, a silent auction will be held to support Husson’s track & field teams. At that time, members of the campus community and visitors can also enjoy some complimentary doughboys (also known as fried dough) under the Alumni & Friends tent.
Following the football game, from 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Husson University’s Alumni and Friends will be hosting a pre-show reception in the Alumni Lounge, next to the Gracie Theatre’s lobby entrance. All Husson alumni are welcome to participate in this social gathering prior to the show.
At 7:30 p.m., the Gracie Theatre will feature a performance by Comedian Ray Harrington. A native Mainer, comic, filmmaker and Husson NESCom alum, Harrington is looking forward to returning to his alma mater to kick off the Gracie Theatre’s 2022-2023 season as part of Husson's Homecoming weekend. This Husson graduate has performed on Conan, Hulu, ABC, FOX, TBS, and SBS Australia. He’s been heard on nationally syndicated radio and Sirius/XM. He was also named the “Best Comedian” by the Providence Phoenix. In addition, Harrington was a finalist at the Boston Comedy Festival. His comedy is suitable for all audiences, especially Mainers! Tickets are $30 each.
“We are so excited to be hosting live events and look forward to hosting our alumni, students and friends for what will be a day filled with delicious food, exciting sports, fun and laughter,” said Sarah Robinson, vice president for advancement. “Homecoming is always a special time on our campus. We encourage everyone to come home and celebrate their time at Husson while making new memories that will last a lifetime.”
Registration information for Homecoming events can be found at https://www.husson.edu/alumni/homecoming.
For more than 120 years, Husson University has shown its adaptability and strength in delivering educational programs that prepare future leaders to handle the challenges of tomorrow through innovative undergraduate and graduate degrees. With a commitment to delivering affordable classroom, online and experiential learning opportunities, Husson University has come to represent a superior value in higher education. The hallmarks of a Husson education include advanced knowledge delivered through quality educational programs in business; health and education; pharmacy studies; science and humanities; as well as communication. According to a recent analysis of tuition and fees by U.S. News & World Report, Husson University is one of the most affordable private colleges in New England. For more information about educational opportunities that can lead to personal and professional success, visit Husson.edu.