Welcome Home, Alumni. Weekend of Homecoming Activities Begins Sept. 22

September 18, 2017

A full weekend of activities to celebrate Bemidji State University’s annual Homecoming tradition begins Sept. 22.

BSU’s traditional Alumni Leaders in the Classroom panels are topical programs that bring BSU grads back to campus to share their professional experiences with students, staff and the public. This year’s schedule includes business, accounting, marketing and design, scientific research and environmental panels. Participating alumni are listed in the calendar below.

Saturday’s parade sets the tone for a day full of events including BSU volleyball and a pre-game celebration in Diamond Point Park beginning at 11:30 a.m. leading into BSU’s football game against Southwest Minnesota State at 2:30 p.m.

Immediately following the football game, alumni football players will gather at the American Indian Resource Center, while Native American alumni will get together at the David Park House.

Saturday will close with the annual Beaver Block Party in downtown Bemidji featuring live music by The Front Fenders. The Bemidji Area Alumni Chapter organizes this event, and proceeds benefit scholarships supported by the chapter.

The Department of Music’s traditional Carl O. Thompson Memorial Concert will wrap up the weekend’s activities Sunday at 3 p.m. The concert features each of BSU’s four primary ensembles — the Bemidji Choir, the Chamber Singers, the Wind Ensemble and Blue Ice jazz band — with performances by winners of this year’s vocal and instrumental scholarships.

Sept. 22

  • 9–10 a.m.—Alumni Leaders in the Classroom: Business. Jake Bluhm ’08, insurance agent, State Farm Insurance, Bemidji; Dr. James Midboe ’06, owner, Finish Line Wellness, Savage, Minn.; Dr. Mary Eaton ’91, CEO, The Idea Circle, Inc., Bemidji. Memorial Hall 240.
  • 10–11 a.m.—Alumni Leaders in the Classroom: Accounting. Gail Clendening ’07, audit business consultant, Cargill, Inc., Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn.; Trudy Peterson ’03, CPA, KBA Peterson Association, Inc., Bemidji; David Mans ’92, CPA, Miller McDonald, Bemidji. Memorial Hall 230.
  • 10-11 a.m.—Alumni Leaders in the Classroom: Marketing and Design. Brian Maciej, president/owner, Lime Valley Advertising, Inc., Mankato; Kim Simonson, executive vice president, Simonson Design Studios, St. Paul, Minn.; Caralee Nowak ’05, products and marketing manager, Pinnacle Marketing Group, Bemidji; Ashley Kiecker ’16, exhibit designer, MG Design, Kenosha, Wis. Bridgeman Hall 100.
  • 11 a.m.–noon—Alumni Leaders in the Classroom: Scientific Research. Dr. Guylaine Haché ’04, patent litigation associate, Rokoczy Molio Mazzochi Siwik LLP, Chicago; Dr. Gene Ness ’66, retired professor of molecular medicine, University of South Florida; Dr. Dale Greenwalt ’75, retired director of research, Poietic Technologies, and research associate in paleobiology, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Sattgast Hall 208.
  • 11 a.m.–noon—Alumni Leaders in the Classroom: Environmental Panel. Jason Edens ’07, director, Rural Renewable Energy Alliance (RREAL), Backus, Minn.; Mike Spry ’83, former president/CEO, Portage Inc., advisor, Commissioner’s Advisory Committee for Natural Heritage, Nevis, Minn.; Doug Fredrickson ’10, retired executive vice president, Blattner Energy, Avon, Minn. Hagg-Sauer Hall 100.
  • 11:30–1 p.m. Beaver Pride Luncheon; Walnut Hall. Admission: $9.
  • 5:30–10 p.m.—BSU Honors Gala. BSU alumni, faculty and friends of BSU will present the 2017 Outstanding Alumni Awards.. 5:30 p.m. social hour, 6:30 p.m. dinner and program; Sanford Center Ballroom. Tickets: $50.

Sept. 23

  • 11 a.m.–noon—BSU Homecoming Parade; downtown Bemidji
  • noon–2 p.m.—BSU Pre-Game & Tailgate Party; Diamond Point Park
  • 2 p.m.—BSU Football vs. Southwest Minnesota State University; Chet Anderson Stadium. Tickets: $16/12 for adults, $7 seniors, $6 children. BSU students free with ID. Available at the gate or via Ticketmaster.
  • 4-6 p.m.—BSU Volleyball vs. University of Sioux Falls; BSU Gymnasium. Tickets: $8 for adults, $6 seniors, $4 children. BSU Students free with ID. Available at the gate.
  • 6:30 p.m.—Bemidji Choir 80th Anniversary Concert; Evangelical Covenant Church, 5405 Hart Lane NW. Tickets: free.
  • 7–9 p.m.—Greek Alumni Reunion and Social; American Indian Resource Center. Tickets: $10.
  • 8:30 p.m.—Beaver Block Party and Street Dance; downtown Bemidji. Tickets: $5.

Sept. 24

  • 3 p.m.—Carl O. Thompson Memorial Concert; Bangsberg Fine Arts Complex. Tickets: $10 for adults, students free.

More information on Homecoming at Bemidji State University is available at bsualumni.org.

Contact
  • BSU Alumni Association: (218) 755-3989 or toll-free (877) BSU-ALUM (278-2586); alumni@bemidjistate.edu
Links

Bemidji State University, located amid the lakes and forests of northern Minnesota, occupies a wooded campus along the shore of Lake Bemidji. Enrolling more than 5,100 students, Bemidji State offers more than 80 undergraduate majors and eight graduate degrees encompassing arts, sciences and select professional programs. BSU is a member of the Minnesota State system of colleges and universities and has a faculty and staff of more than 550. The university’s Shared Fundamental Values include environmental stewardship, civic engagement and international and multicultural understanding.

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