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CAMPUS

Homecoming Weekend 2004

By Tommy Holmes
Norwich Guidon Staff Writer

The Norwich Drill team performs a 10-man color guard routine (Plourde Photo)

One of the highlights of this year’s homecoming celebration was the $3.5 million in gifts and pledges, nearly double what was donated last year, according to the alumni office.

Alumni Relations Officer Bill Passalaqua, NU class of 1989, is responsible for the preparation that begins each fall for the coming Alumni Weekend. Passalaqua forms the initial weekend program and commissions his staff to make it become a reality. As the planning takes place and the pieces begin to fit together, he oversees the preparation.

Members of the class of 1959 donated $3.5 million on their 45th reunion.

“We cannot execute homecoming without student support,” Passalaqua said. “We don’t have the personnel to do it. So, we rely heavily on, of course, the corps.”

Corps students not only help direct and transport alumni around campus, but they are actively involved in many of the weekend events and highlights, such as the Harmon Wall Ceremony, in which 14 names of alumni who have had a significant impact on the university were added to the Harmon Wall.

Although many cadets were away for Alumni Weekend serving at the annual Tunbridge Fair, Passalaqua said that homecoming preparations went smoothly.

President Richard Schneider presents the Distinguished Alumnus Award to E. Tarry Polidor, class of 1964. President of NUAA, Cmdr Chet Misner USN, NU class of 1990, looks on.

“The significant difference this year was waking up to Saturday morning rain,” Passalaqua said. “We haven’t had a rain like that in the morning for Alumni Weekend in many years.”

Luckily for Passalaqua and his staff, the rain stopped, the parade went on, and the football team went on to victory over the Coast Guard Academy.

The weekend went about as well as Passalaqua could have hoped. Included, he said, was a program for the alumni which highlighted such events as the Joe Sable Memorial Golf Tournament at the Northfield Country Club on Friday morning and the 1819 Circle Reception and Dinner held at the Capital Plaza Hotel on Friday night.

Norwich alumni stand during the playing of the National Anthem.

“Initial feedback has been very good,” Passalaqua said. “The alumni were very, very pleased. They see that the campus looks great,” he explained, adding that, “the housing is full. The parades look great.”

“I’m glad to see the corps coming back [in numbers],” said Paul Farren, NU class of 1969.

But Diane Farren disagreed, claiming that “it wasn’t as military” as in years past. But she added that, “There is a more strict adherence. You really had that sense of a military university. The civilians are participating, but not at the expense of the corps.”

Norwich rooks perform pushups, an annual ritual during the homecoming parade.

Some alumns wanted to see more variety in activities available to them and their families.

“I’d like to see more activities for alumni to be a part of,” Farren said.

“Having your kids in this trip, there wasn’t a lot for them to do,” said Robert Fiacco, NU class of 1989. “There were a few things that were planned, but not a lot.”

Members of the crowd stand during the opening ceremonies of the anual homecoming gathering on Sabine Field.

Timothy Bonagura, NU class of 1994, was hoping to see more of a presentation of the Norwich ROTC, which is often overshadowed by the Corps of Cadets.

Passalaqua said he and his staff were mindful of these concerns, and they worked to provide a variety of activities and will do more in the future.

The Norwich Drill Team stands at attention on Sabine Field during the homecoming weekend ceremonies.

“We’re just going to try and brainstorm as a staff and see what can we add that might appeal to small groups of people.”

Some possible ideas for future homecoming events include wine tasting, quilt making and perhaps a block of time set aside specifically for current Norwich students to interact with members of the old guard, which includes classes which have reached their 50th anniversary reunion.

Although such additions may be inviting to alumns, the reason Norwich grads return isn’t for the activities, it’s for the the associations.

“They want to come back, reconnect with old friends and share the memories, ” Passalaqua said.

For NU 1971 graduate Joe Pecoraro, coming back is all about “seeing old pals again. That’s all.”

The Norwich Guidon is a twice-monthly student newspaper distributed at Norwich University. It provides laboratory experience for students in the Communications program. Claims asserted by letter writers, editorials and other articles do not represent the positions of Norwich University. The Norwich Guidon welcomes signed letters to the editor. They should be no longer than 300 words. Unsigned letters will not be printed, but names may be withheld upon worthy request. All letters are subject to editing for length and good taste. Mailing address: The Norwich Guidon, Communications Center, Norwich University, 158 Harmon Dr, Northfield, VT 05663. www.norwich.edu/guidon.