WS Chronicle

SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

Concerts, a vendor fair, convocation, step shows, coronations, class reunions, parades and the big game are all part of the many offerings of Winston-Salem State University’s 2016 “So Hard to be a Ram” Homecoming Celebration, Oct. 11-15.

Here’s a quick look at some of the events planned for the rest of the week:

Thursday, Oct. 13

*Activities today include: Alumni Return to Serve, where alumni visit various classes across campus and their experiences; Alumni Chapters Mix and Mingle in Hill Hall, Room LO5; and the School of Health Sciences Colloquium: Health Disparities in America, Working Toward Social Justice in F.L. Atkins.

*From 4 -9 p.m., WSSU’s mobile clinic, RAMS Know How, will conduct free health screenings and pro-vide health information; the Vendor’s Fair with the Kids Zone and food trucks will stretch from the Main Campus to the new North Bridge and access road; Community Stage: Gospel Edition returns at the Bridge area and Lowery Street parking lots.

*WSSU also welcomes back the class of 1966 for a 50th anniversary reunion from 6-10 p.m.

*From 9 p.m.-2 a.m., the Red and Black Affair dance will be held at the Millennium Center, 101 W. Fifth St. in downtown Winston-Salem. Tickets may be purchased at the WSSU Ticket office.

Friday, Oct. 14

*Friday will feature the Wreath Laying Ceremony, honoring WSSU founder Dr. Simon Green Atkins at 8:45 a.m. at the S.G. Atkins Statue (Rain Site: K.R. Williams Auditorium). The Dr. Carolyn Anderson Golf Tournament at Winston Lake Golf Course tee’s off at 9 a.m. At 9:45 a.m., Founder’s Day Convocation will be held at Williams Auditorium. C. Bernard Fulp ’57, chair and CEO of GOBiz Solutions, will deliver the keynote address.

*The Vendor’s Fair will resume from 12:30- 8 p.m. The Ram Rave-Mini Parade, Pep Rally and Day will run from 2-7 p.m. at the Pedestrian Mall and Clock Tower. And from 4-7 p.m., the art exhibition “Do You See Me?” will open with a reception at Diggs Gallery.

*Beginning at 7 p.m., WSSU alumni will hold their Hall of Distinction Induction and Reception, and Alumni Crowning in the Pavilion Ballroom at the Embassy Suites Hotel in downtown Winston-Salem.  At 8 p.m. campus Greek organizations put on the moves during the Homecoming Step Show under the theme: Social Justice: Black Lives Matter. Tickets for the Step Show can be purchased at the WSSU Ticket Office.

*Alumni continue their Homecoming celebration with the Alumni Scholarship Gala from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. in the Grand Pavilion Ballroom at the Embassy Suites Hotel. For ticket information, go to wssunaa.org

Saturday, Oct. 15

*WSSU’s Homecoming Parade gets underway at 10 a.m. This year there is a new route, which will begin on North Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and end on Cromartie Street on the WSSU Campus. To accommodate the parade, the U.S. 52 and Business 40 entrance and exit ramps for MLK Drive will be closed from 9:45 to 1 p.m. Signs will be posted to direct vehicles to alternate exits. To help parade-goers, the city has posted maps on social media using #WSSUHomecoming.

*The Homecoming Game against the Falcons of St. Augustine’s University begins at 1:30 p.m. at Bowman Gray Stadium. After the game, for those with any steam left can head back downtown to the Grand Pavilion Ballroom for the Ram’s Saturday Night Live Party from 10 p.m.-2 p.m.  For a full rundown of Homecoming events, please visit www.wssu.edu/homecoming. Follow events on social media through #WSSUHomecoming.