Northwest to celebrate circus-style Homecoming Oct. 24

By Brittany Greer

Ranger alumni, administration, faculty, staff, students and friends are invited to join in Northwest Mississippi Community College’s Homecoming celebration Saturday, Oct. 24. The theme for this year’s Homecoming is “Under the Big Top.”

The day will kick off at 8:30 a.m. with an alumni reception. The Alumni Association will honor 2009 Northwest Alumnus of the year Dr. Gerald Crawford at the Alumni and Friends Celebration at 10:30 a.m. A longtime educator, Crawford graduated from Northwest in 1959 with an Associate of Arts degree in Business. At Northwest, he was a class officer both years and was a member of the Dramatics Club, Wesley Foundation and participated in football and track programs. He received a B.S. degree from Delta State University, an M.B.A. degree from the University of Memphis and a Ph.D. degree in Marketing from the University of Arkansas.

Crawford taught at the University of North Alabama for 33 years and has authored more than 200 scholarly papers, journal publications and cases in textbooks. He has also been instrumental in organizing reunions for the 1959 Northwest football team for several years during Homecoming. Both receptions will be held in the Haraway Center.

A barbecue picnic prepared by Northwest alumni will continue the Homecoming festivities on the Haraway Center grounds starting at noon. The cost of the barbecue for adults is $5. A pep rally featuring the Ranger marching band and Ranger cheerleaders will begin at 12:45 p.m.

Festivities will then move to Ranger Stadium where the Ranger Band will perform a pre-game show at 1:40 p.m. on Bobby Franklin Field.

Kick-off for the clash between the Rangers and Northeast Tigers is set for 2 p.m. Admission for adults is $5. The Homecoming court, as well as the crowning of the 2009 Northwest Homecoming Queen, will be presented at halftime. The Ranger Band will perform afterward.

Other Homecoming events include a reunion for the class of 1967-70, which will be held at the Haraway Center Friday, Oct. 23 at 5:30 p.m.

“We sincerely hope that everyone will join us for Homecoming,” said Dolores Wooten, manager of Alumni Affairs. “The celebration is for everyone; not just reunion classes. The public is certainly invited to join us that day.”

For more information, call Wooten at 662-560-1105 or e-mail dbwooten@northwestms.edu