Activities surrounding Bemidji State University’s annual Homecoming event begin Wednesday. Nearly two dozen events dot the calendar this year, highlighted by Bemidji State’s traditional home football game, a dedication ceremony to officially rename BSU’s Education-Art Building in honor of President Emeritus M. James Bensen, a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly remodeled Birch Hall residence hall, and the official launch party for the Bemidji School of Nursing.

Bemidji State’s Hobson Memorial Union is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, and activities and memorabilia celebrating its four-decade history will be intertwined with a variety of this year’s Homecoming events.

Bensen Hall Dedication
On Friday, Bemidji State’s Education-Arts Building will be receiving a new name.

The building, built in 1950 and renovated in 1986, will be renamed Bensen Hall in a ceremony on Friday, Sept. 28, in honor of former president M. James “Jim” Bensen. Bensen was BSU’s eighth president from 1994-2001 and is the only BSU alumnus to serve as president.

During Bensen’s tenure, BSU received national reaccreditation effort by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education and was integrated into the MnSCU system. The A.C. Clark Library was renovated and remodeled and funding for construction of the American Indian Resource Center was secured during his term as president, as well.

Please join the entire Bemidji State University community for a ceremony to officially rename Ed-Arts as Bensen Hall from 9:30-11 a.m. on Sept. 28. A public reception to honor Bensen will follow at the David Park House.

Birch Hall Ribbon Cutting
After a $6 million, 16-month renovation project, Birch Hall was reopened for students this fall. Ground was broken on the project in May of 2010, immediately after school ended and students had moved out, and construction wrapped up this summer. This renovation, and the Linden Hall renovation completed in 2008, was part of a master plan for BSU’s residence facilities.

The Department of Residential Life’s grand opening celebration and ribbon-cutting ceremony will begin at 3 p.m. with tours of the building and its amenities hosted by the Birch Hall student and professional staff. The official ribbon-cutting ceremony, featuring students and the Birch Hall design team, will take place at 4 p.m. A slideshow featuring the remodel will begin at 4:30 p.m. Refreshments will be available throughout the event.

For more information, Residential Life, (218) 755-3750.

Complete 2012 Homecoming Calendar

Wednesday, Sept. 26

• Concert on Oak Lawn: Alison Scott and Kevin Bowe + Okemah Prophets
8:30-10:30 p.m. – Oak Hall lawn
Join the Hobson Union Programming Board for this free concert featuring a pair of Minneapolis-based acts: solo artist Alison Scott and Kevin Bowe + The Okemah Prophets. The pair tour together throughout the Midwest. Free root beer floats will be available. In case of inclement weather, the concert will be moved to Memorial Hall 100.

Thursday, Sept. 27

• Alumni in the Classroom: “Leaders in Medicine”
10 a.m. – Crying Wolf Room, lower Hobson Memorial Union

• Alumni in the Classroom: “Leaders in Social Work”
10 a.m. – Gathering Place, American Indian Resource Center

• Alumni in the Classroom: “Leaders in the Environment”
2 p.m. – Hagg-Sauer 100

• Alumni in the Classroom: “Leaders in Law”
3 p.m. – Education-Arts 115

• Film screening – “Pink Ribbons, Inc.”
7 p.m. – Hagg-Sauer 100
The Bemidji School of Nursing is hosting a screening of “Pink Ribbons, Inc.,” a documentary examining the “commercialization of the breast cancer movement and the exploitation of human generosity, hope and trust.” A description of the film from its producers:

“The ubiquitous pink ribbons of breast cancer philanthropy – and the hand-in-hand marketing of brands and products associated with that philanthropy — permeates our culture, providing assurance that we are engaged in a successful battle against this insidious disease. But the campaign obscures the reality and facts of breast cancer – more and more women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year, and face the same treatment options they did 40 years ago. Yet women are also the most influential market group, buying 80 percent of consumer products and making most major household purchasing decisions. So then who really benefits from the pink ribbon campaigns — the cause or the company? And what if the very companies and products that profit from their association have actually contributed to the problem?

In showing the real story of breast cancer and the lives of those who fight it, Pink Ribbons, Inc. reveals the co-opting of what marketing experts have labeled a “dream cause.””

“Pink Ribbons, Inc.” is written and directed by Léa Pool and is distributed by First Run Features.

The Bemidji School of Nursing is hosting this screening as a way to bring discussions regarding controversial and difficult topics in the healthcare industry out into the open. Admission to “Pink Ribbons, Inc.” is free and open to the public, and a panel will be held immediately afterward to allow for discussion about the topics raised in the film. For more information, contact the Bemidji School of Nursing, (218) 755-3860.

Friday, Sept. 28

• Dedication of Bensen Hall
9:30 – 11 a.m. – Ed-Arts Building front lawn
Details above.

• Alumni in the Classroom: “Leaders in Business and Accounting”
10 a.m. – Bridgeman Hall 100

• Alumni in the Classroom: “Leaders on Leadership”
10 a.m. – Crying Wolf Room, lower Hobson Memorial Union

• Beaver Pride luncheon
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. – Walnut Hall
Join BSU head football coach Jeff Tesch for a preview at Saturday’s Homecoming game against the University of Minnesota Crookston. The lunch will also feature presentations by other members of the BSU Department of Athletics. Cost: $8, payable at the door.

• BSU Alumni & Foundation annual meeting
1:30-2:30 p.m. – Gathering Place, American Indian Resource Center

• Birch Hall ribbon cutting ceremony
3-5 p.m. – Birch Hall
Details above.

• BSU Alumni & Foundation Honors Gala
5:30 – 10 p.m. – Sanford Center Conference Center

This event combines the former Alumni Honors Banquet and the Foundation’s Donor Gala. The evening begins with a 5:30 p.m. social followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. Event is black-tie optional and is open to the public. Registration required; visit bsualumni.org.

Saturday, Sept. 29

• BSU / Sara Labraaten Walk for Women
8:30 a.m. – Diamond Point Park
Bemidji State’s annual 5k run/walk to support women’s athletics. Registration required; for more information, visit bsubeavers.com.

• Bemidji School of Nursing brunch and school launch event
9:30 – 11:30 a.m. – Gathering Place, American Indian Resource Center
A celebration to officially launch the Bemidji School of Nursing, which combines the nursing programs at Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College. The school was announced this spring and began operation over the summer. The launch event will include a 10 a.m. interdisciplinary panel discussion featuring Dr. Lee Norman, vice president and chief medical officer in the hospital executive offices at the University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City, Kan. Norman is a Bemidji State alum, graduating with a degree in social work in 1974.

• Homecoming Tailgate Party
11:00 a.m. – Diamond Point Park

• Bemidji State football vs Minnesota, Crookston
1:00 p.m. – Chet Anderson Stadium
Tickets for BSU football are $15 for reserved seating and $9 for general admission. Tickets for BSU alumni, students from the opposing school, or seniors aged 62 and over are $6, and children aged 6-10 are $2. Children aged five and under are admitted free. For more information, visit bsubeavers.com.

• All-football alumni reunion reception and program
5:00 p.m. – Beaux Arts Ballroom, upper Hobson Memorial Union

• Alpha Nu Omega / Alpha Tau Omega fraternity 50th Anniversary Reunion
5:30 p.m. – Hungry Bear Conference Center; 2300 24th Street NW, Bemidji
Reception and dinner. For more information, Nick Armstrong, corfu77@gmail.com.

• All-baseball alumni gathering
6-9 p.m. – Lazy Jacks; 6735 Frontage Road NW, Bemidji
All BSU baseball alumni are invited for appetizers and refreshments prior to the Beaver Block Party.

• All-Greek reunion
7 p.m. – Blue Ox Bar & Grill; 128 1st Street NW, Bemidji
All Greek alumni and friends are invited to meet at the Blue Ox prior to the Beaver Block Party.

• All-female athletes alumni reunion, reception & program
7 p.m. – Gathering Place, American Indian Resource Center

• Beaver Block Party
8:30 p.m. – downtown Bemidji on Beltrami Ave. between 3rd and 4th streets.
Bemidji State University’s fifth annual Homecoming street dance. This year’s Beaver Block Party will feature live music by Fargo, N.D.-based Front Fenders. Organized by the Bemidji Area Alumni.

Sunday, Sept. 30

• Annual baseball alumni game
noon – BSU Baseball Field
Free admission for BSU’s fall alumni classic.

• Carl O. Thompson Memorial Concert
3 p.m. – Thompson Recital Hall, Bangsberg Fine Arts Complex
The annual kickoff concert for Bemidji State University’s fall music season. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for senior citizens; children are admitted free. Concert proceeds fund scholarships for the Department of Music. More information about the concert is available at BSU Today.

For additional information, or to download a printable Homecoming events schedule in PDF format, visit bsualumni.org/events.

LINKS
• Homecoming schedule: http://www.bsualumni.org/events
• Alison Scott (on Twitter @aliscottmusic)
• Kevin Bowe + Okemah Prophets (on Twitter @KJBowe)
• “Pink Ribbons, Inc.” website