SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — Panel discussions, presentations, class reunions, athletic events, tailgating, breakfast, lunch and dinners, an archeological excavation and a birthday party are all part of the scheduled events as Wittenberg celebrates Homecoming and Reunion Weekend, Oct. 2-4.

Wittenberg will present Archaeology in Action: Wittenberg’s Own Excavation at 525 N. Wittenberg Avenue on Saturday, Oct. 3 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Stop by to see what Wittenberg students are learning in history and archaeology.

A Celebration of Life for Dr. Betty Powelson is slated for 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday at the Science Center Atrium. Dr. Betty Powelson was a long-time professor and chair in the Wittenberg Department of Biology. Her celebration of life will include a breakfast followed by a short service and reflections.

An all-campus and alumni 'Welcome Back to Witt Party' is scheduled from 8:30-11 p.m. Saturday at the Founders Pub at the Benham-Pence Student Center. There will be beverages available for purchase and student bands Colossal Brother, Gino and the Dirty Milk Boys, Trevor Villegas and Andrew Pantaleano will do one-hour sets until 11 p.m. This event is sponsored by the Union Board, a Student Senate-funded organization that brings activities to campus each year.

Take time to wish the Writing Center ‘a happy birthday’. The Writing Center (formerly the Writer’s Workshop) turns 35 this year. To honor the occasion, the Center is hosting a reunion for the advisors, a breakfast and offering tours of the facility. The breakfast will take place Saturday from 10-11 a.m. at the Shouvlin Atrium, 105B and tours will be conducted from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday as well. Stop by and meet with Writing Center advisors and learn about all the resources available to students.

Homecoming weekend actually begins Thursday with a 50th Reunion Welcome Back Gathering from 6-8:30 p.m. at the Bayley Alumni House. Another highlight of the day is the PechaKucha Night (PKN) at the Founders Pub where presenters discuss 20 slides for 20 seconds each. There will be 12 presenters, including four professors, four students and four alumni and the event will take place from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Highlights on Friday, Oct. 2 include a Homecoming Alumni Golf Outing beginning at 11 a.m. at Windy Knoll Golf Course. From 4:15-5:15 p.m., the Department of Psychology will host a panel discussion at Bayley Auditorium, Kuss Science Center. Join them for a discussion with alumni as they talk about their graduate school and career experiences since graduation. Scheduled speakers are:                                                               

• Jen Milia ‘03, School Psychologist, Columbus City Schools
• Nick Banion ‘10, School Counselor, South Eastern Local Schools
• Doreen Hipp and Andrea Gaietto ‘14, 2nd Year Graduate Students in Social Work at Case Western Reserve University
• Joseph Borders ‘12, Research Associate, ShadowBox
• Morgan Borders ‘12, Research Assistant, Wright State University, SARDI- Substance Abuse Resources & Disability Issues

Other Saturday events include the alumni swim meet at 10 a.m., HPERC Natatorium, open tailgating from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on East Campus Drive, such reunion celebrations including the 10th Anniversary of the NCAA Final Four men’s basketball team, the 1975 NCAA football championship team, the Delta Sig reunion and tailgate, the All Reunion Party, a Wittenberg men’s and women’s soccer alumni event, and the Witt volleyball alumnae open house.  Of course, there will be numerous reunion class year celebrations for the classes of ‘15, ’10, ‘05, ‘00, ‘95, ‘90, ‘85, ‘80, ‘75, ’70 and ’65. Contact the Office of Alumni Engagement with any questions, alumni@wittenberg.edu              

Tiger Fest will be on Saturday as well as the Tiger Tailgate picnic with members of the 1975 national championship football team before the kick off of the football game between Wittenberg and Wooster at 1 p.m., Edwards-Maurer Field.

The football game is one of several athletic events scheduled throughout the weekend. The men’s and women’s soccer teams and the field hockey team will also be in action Saturday.

The celebration ends on Sunday with a farewell brunch in the student center and a Homecoming Worship Service with Holy Communion at 11 a.m. at Weaver Chapel. All reunion classes and visitors are invited. Special music will be provided by the Wittenberg choir and university organist Dr. David Crean.

To register for events or to have questions about the weekend’s festivities, call the Office of Alumni Relations at (937) 327-7414. For the complete schedule of events go to http://www.wittenberg.edu/homecoming/schedule.html