Coming Home to Reunion

For the first year, homecoming and reunion came together at AU, and attendance topped records, at around 500. Festivities ran from tours of D.C. and campus, to classroom visits, to receptions with the deans, to plenty of eating and drinking at the Union Station Gala and the All-American Barbeque. There were athletic competitions, a parade, the annual Golden Eagles luncheon, and the newer Taste of AU, a feast spread out on the quad. Here is a selection of images from the events.


The homecoming parade circled the Eric Friedheim Quadrangle during the All-American Barbeque, entertaining current students and alumni alike. Here, AU President Benjamin Ladner and Nancy Bullard Ladner are driven in high style by Joseph Campbell, a faculty member from the School of Communication.
photo by Bill Petros

photo by Bill Petros		 Parade floats were fashioned from golf carts this year, a new twist on the conventional flat-bed trucks. Here, the Office of Student Services runs a golf cart­eagle's nest along the parade route, with Vice President Gail Short Hanson and Dean of Students Faith Leonard, wearing eagle beaks and wings.
The big event over homecoming weekend was the gala held at Union Station. Here, radio personality Bob Edwards, SOC/MA '72, whose familiar voice can be heard on National Public Radio and on AU's own WAMU-FM, receives an artist's depiction of campus from AU President Benjamin Ladner and George Whitehouse, Kogod/BSBA '69, Alumni Association Executive Board president. Edwards was recognized for alumni achievement along with Gayle Abbott, SPA/BA '76.
photo by Jeff Watts

photo by Jeff Watts		 The homecoming gala gave this group an opportunity to dress up and celebrate their years at AU. The event was held in the East Hall of Union Station, and included the Tom Cunningham Orchestra big band (known locally as TCO), dancing, and a formal dinner. Master of ceremonies and alumnus Adrian Cronauer, best known as the inspiration behind the movie, Good Morning, Vietnam, and comedian Darrell Hammond of Saturday Night Live entertained.
The weather was perfect for outdoor events over the course of the weekend. Here, soccer players pal around during an alumni game on Reeves Field.
photo by Bill Petros

 photo by Bill Petros		 Clawed takes a look at the real thing during events on the quad Saturday. An animal handler presented "Scales and Tales: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly," a presentation of wildlife, including bald eagles and owls.
Alumni had the opportunity to meet the new deans, or socialize with the ones they remembered from their days in class. Here, Walter Broadnax, dean of the School of Public Affairs, makes some connections with returning students during one of the deans' breakfast receptions.
photo by Bill Petros
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