Come one, come all to The University of Toledo’s Homecoming to “Rock-et Under the Big Top at the Greatest School on Earth!”

Homecoming week kicks off today with a Student Organization Carnival Day until 9 p.m. in the grassy area south of the Memorial Field House where you can meet the Homecoming Court candidates, play some carnival games, and check out the inflatables and food. The day concludes with a concert featuring the band Hellogoodbye at 7 p.m. in the same location.

The week of school spirit continues with events such as a talent show, pep rally, parade and more leading up to the Homecoming game Saturday when the Rockets take on Central Michigan in the Glass Bowl.

Homecoming 2012 events include:

• “Ring of Fire” Pep Rally, 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 4 in the Flatlands with free food, music by WXUT, and Toledo football players and coaches. Psyche up for the Toledo-Central Michigan football game by taking your best shot at the Triangle Fraternity Car Bash.
• Homecoming Alumni Gala and Awards Ceremony, 6 p.m., Friday, Oct. 5 in the Student Union Auditorium when the Alumni Association will present this year’s Blue T, Gold T and Edward H. Schmidt Young Alum awards, and college and affiliate award winners will be honored.
• Edward C. Schmidt Homecoming Parade, 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 6. Sponsored by Blue Key, the parade will begin at West Bancroft Street and go to Middlesex Drive to Hughes Drive to Cheltenham Road and back on West Bancroft Street.
• Toledo vs. Central Michigan Homecoming Game, 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6 in the Glass Bowl.

For more information and a full listing of events visit utoledo.edu/homecoming or call the UT Alumni Relations Office at 419.530.2586.

Media Coverage
WTOL 11 (Oct. 4, 2012)

Nearly 700 community members, alumni and friends will return to their alma mater as The University of Toledo dedicates its new William and Carol Koester Alumni Pavilion at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13, just west of the Glass Bowl. (Picture: Workers finalize construction)

“Carol and I saw this pavilion as an opportunity to honor University of Toledo alumni: People who represent the legacy of this institution and demonstrate the success of its educational mission,” said William Koester, who is entering his final year on UT’s Board of Trustees and is serving as board chair. “We both earned degrees from UT and just love the place. We wanted to give something back.”

Designed by SSOE Group, the outside of the pavilion area will hold plaques recognizing Gold T, Blue T and Edward H. Schmidt Outstanding Young Alumni award recipients, past Alumni Association presidents, and outstanding chapters, affiliates and volunteers. The pavilion will be outfitted with food and beverage stations, as well as a sound system.

SSOE Group, a global engineering, procurement and construction management firm headquartered in Toledo, has made an in-kind contribution to donate the architectural design along with all engineering for the pavilion and entry complex. In total, the 13,000-square-foot $1.1 million pavilion and plaza has been built with no taxpayer money.

“Our initial plan was to raise money this year and construct the pavilion next year,” said Dan Saevig, UT associate vice president for alumni relations. “But because of the generosity of the Koesters, of SSOE and of so many alumni, we plan to be up and running for the Sept. 15 game versus Bowling Green.”

Tony Damon, president and CEO of the SSOE Group, congratulated UT on this successful project.

“SSOE has been a proud supporter of The University of Toledo since our founding in 1948,” Damon said. “Our remarkable partnership with the University was built on the legacy of our founder Al Samborn, a 1939 UT alumnus, whose professionalism and commitment to engineering education was exemplified by his many years teaching at UT.

“That cooperation continues today as SSOE is one of the largest employers of the University’s engineering students and graduates. Our $94,000 contribution to this project was yet another way for SSOE to show our continued support and gratitude, and when combined with other giving caps afive-year program of donations in excess of $700,000.”

The pavilion sits on a large plaza, named in honor of Chuck and Jackie Sullivan and comprised of hundreds of bricks donated by UT alumni and friends. Additionally, the Pavilion’s Rocket Station is named in honor of the UT Women & Philanthropy organization. Eighteen named pillars will support the structure, and 13 named benches will ring the plaza’s exterior.

In all, more than 100 alumni, organizations and friends of the University have donated $1,000 or more to the effort, Saevig said, and thousands more have contributed.

All are welcome to attend the dedication but are required to RSVP due to an expected large turnout.

To RSVP, contact the Office of Special Events at 419.530.2200 or specialevents@utoledo.edu.

Parking for the event will be available north and south of the Glass Bowl in lots 9 and 10, which will close Thursday at 6:45.

Media Coverage
The Blade (Sept. 12, 2012)

This year will mark the 20th anniversary of The University of Toledo’s Art on the Mall on Sunday, July 29.

A total of 105 artists specializing in acrylic, glass, jewelry, mixed media, oil, pen and ink, photography, pottery, textiles/fibers/basketry, watercolors and wood will display and sell their works from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday rain or shine on UT’s Centennial Mall.

Many of the presenting artists are alumni, former or current students, faculty or staff, or parents of UT students.

“Art on the Mall has been successful for 20 years because of the support that is received from the wonderfully generous sponsors, the dedicated community and our talented artists,” said Ansley Abrams-Frederick, director of alumni programming in the UT Office of Alumni Relations. “The fact that this show continues to be free and open to the community is a testament to this resounding and continuous support.”

This year’s extravaganza also will feature food vendors, children’s activities, live pottery demonstrations and musical entertainment.

The Blade will sponsor a young artist area in the center of Centennial Mall for children to create their own artwork, receive face paintings, and engage in other activities and games.

The musical groups that will showcase their talents are the Toledo School for the Arts student group, the Urban Jazz Collective, which will perform from 10 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.; the 14th St. Revival, which will take the stage from 1 to 1:45 p.m.; and Glass City Steel, which will play from 2 to 4:45 p.m.

Festival food will include kettle corn from Karen Anne’s Kettle Korn, Greek cuisine from Opa! Gyros, shave ice from Everhart SnoBiz, smoothies from Maui Wowi, elephant ears from K & K Concessions, and German roasted nuts from Let’s Go Nuts.

The presenting sponsors are The Blade and Huntington. The supporting sponsors include Buckeye CableSystem, Toledo 5, Clear Channel Communications, WGTE Public Media, Mail It! and Lesher Printers Inc.

Parking is free; there will be a courtesy cart shuttle running from three lots to Centennial Mall for the convenience of visitors.

For more information on the free, public event, contact Abrams-Frederick at 419.530.4316 or ansley.abrams@utoledo.edu.

Media Coverage
The Blade (July 26, 2012)
The Blade (July 26, 2012)
The Blade (July 30, 2012)
The Blade (Aug. 6, 2012)