Highlands student Natasha Lujan decorates during Homecoming 2014. Homecoming this year is Sept. 18 – 27. Lujan is a biology junior, student ambassador, and student senate member. Photo by Margaret McKinney/Highlands University
Las Vegas, N.M – Highlands University’s homecoming is just around the corner, with a full slate of traditional and new festivities planned for Sept. 18 – 27 aimed at attracting more alumni, students and residents of the Las Vegas Community.
The theme for homecoming this year is Paint the Town Purple – Spirits of the Past, Visions of the Future.
The community is invited to meet the university’s new president, Sam Minner, at the president’s coffee Sept. 25 from 8 – 9:30- a.m. in the Student Union Ballroom, 900 National Ave.
The homecoming parade is Sept. 26 at 10 a.m. (see the box with the new parade route.) Call the Office of Campus Life at 505-454-3495 regarding entries.
Tailgating for the Sept. 26 homecoming football game begins at 11 a.m. in the Champ Tyrone Music Building parking lot across from Perkins Stadium with space available on a first-come, first-served basis. Kickoff for the game is at 1 p.m. with the Cowboys taking on the Fort Lewis College Skyhawks.
A community decorating contest for businesses begins Sept. 18. To enter, contact the Office of Alumni Affairs at 505-454-3248. Free purple water-based paint is available while supplies last. The winner will be announced at half time during the football game.
New for homecoming this year is an alumni celebration Sept. 25 at the Plaza Hotel Ballroom from 6 – 8 p.m. Tickets are free if you RSVP by Sept. 18 either online at nmhualumni.org/2015-homecoming-celebration-rsvps/, via email to jesalman@nmhu.edu, or by calling 505-454-3248. Tickets at the door are $10. There will be a cash bar. Alumni may pick up their tickets during homecoming week at the Office of Alumni Affairs.
Alumni may also pick up the new Cowboy Card during homecoming week at the Office of Alumni Affairs, Kennedy Alumni Hall, 905 University Ave. The free card is filled with discounts to local businesses.
Another addition to homecoming this year is Parent’s Day, a fun day of activities Sept. 26 in Melody Park from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 4 – 6 p.m. The Housing & Student Conduct Office is hosting the event, with registration from 9 – 10:30 a.m. in the Student Union Building.
The popular homecoming pageant is Sept. 24 at 7 p.m. at Ilfeld Auditorium, 900 University Ave. Tickets are $3 general admission. Highlands faculty, staff and students are free with valid ID. Children 10 and under are also free.
There will be plenty of opportunities to see the Cowgirls soccer and volleyball teams play during homecoming week. The Cowgirls soccer team plays at Perkins Stadium, taking on Adams State Sept. 18 at 4 p.m., Fort Lewis Sept. 20 at 1 p.m., CU-Colorado Springs Sept. 25 at 7 p.m., and Western State Sept. 27 at 1 p.m. The Cowgirl volleyball team plays at Wilson Complex against CSU-Pueblo Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. and Western New Mexico Sept. 22 at 5 p.m.
Golfers can hit the links Sept. 25 at the golf tournament at the university’s Gene Torres Golf Course. Warm up and meeting with the golf pro is at 8 a.m. with tee time at 9 a.m. For information, call 520-222-3402 or email chavious2@yahoo.com
For chocolate lovers, the university’s Donnelly Library is hosting a gourmet chocolate tasting fundraiser Sept. 25 at 3 p.m. at 802 National Ave. Advance tickets before Sept. 22 are $8 general admission and $5 for students. Contact legates@nmhu.edu or 505-454-3255. Tickets after Sept. 22 are $10 and $6.
The university’s Office of Campus Life and the Office of Alumni Affairs plan homecoming each year. Check out a complete listing of all the homecoming festivities online at www.nmhu.edu/homecoming/
New HU Homecoming Parade Route: Line up for participants begins Sept. 26 at 8:30 a.m. at 5th Street and Friedman. The parade begins at 10 a.m. and travels south on 5th Street to the intersection at National Ave., turns right on National to 6th Street, turns left on 6th Street to Douglas Ave., turns right on Douglas Ave. to 8th Street, at 8th Street takes a right to University Ave., at University Ave. takes a left to National Ave., at National Ave. travels west to Bridge Street and the Historic Las Vegas Plaza Park, where it ends. Parade participants continue north on North Gonzales. Those interested in entering the parade may call the Office of Campus Life at 505-454-3495.