Homecoming traditionally has been held to welcome alumni back to their alma mater, and this year NIU is upholding this tradition with several alumni activities this week.

NIU Alumni Programs Director Sue Lund said an annual pre-game alumni reception will be held on the west side of Huskie Stadium before the Homecoming football game Saturday.

NIU President John LaTourette and NIU Alumni Association President Richard Boardman will host the reception for all alumni who donated to the alumni fund last year. This event also will serve as the 25th reunion for the NIU class of 1963.

The association is also planning a post-game party Saturday for all alumni. The post-game celebration also will be held in the association’s tent west of Huskie Stadium.

“We hope it’s going to be a victory party,” Lund said.

Other Homecoming activities geared toward alumni include a student/alumni talent show hosted by Kevin Matthews of radio station WLUP_FM in Chicago.

The show will feature several NIU alumni and faculty acts including Spare Parts, a rock/blues band comprised of NIU alums. Spare Parts will also play at this year’s homecoming tailgate party.

Dave Reidy, who coordinated this year’s talent show for the Campus Activities Board, said although there will only be two alumni acts entered in the talent show, he hopes it will pave the way for more alumni involvement in the future.

“Basically, it’s a start,” Reidy said. “This is the first year we (the Homecoming committee) have invited alumni back to participate in something other than the tailgate and the game.”

The committee is hoping to attract alumni back to NIU on Friday with the talent show in order to have a larger turnout for Saturday’s Homecoming parade.

CAB Homecoming Parade Coordinator Amber Mullins said she hopes there will be a large turnout for the parade this year.

Mullins added that the Alumni Association is sponsoring an entry in this year’s parade along with the Alumni Marching Band.

“Last year’s Homecoming King and Queen, Dave Hockberg and Deb Cohen, will be riding in the parade,” she said.

Many of NIU’s colleges and other organizations also are planning receptions and activities for their alumni, including the College of Business, the College of Education, the computer science department and the Black Alumni Council, Lund said.

The Alumni Association has assisted these and other NIU organizations in planning their Homecoming alumni activities. “We try to serve as a focal point and facilitator for the other alumni organizations on campus,” she said.