FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACTS:
Jeff Theodore, 401-456-4679, jtheodore@ric.edu
Suzy Alba, 401-456-9625, salba@ric.edu
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Rhode Island College alumni are invited to return to campus Sept. 28-Oct. 1 for a packed, fun-filled schedule of RICFest 2017 Homecoming events, most of which are free and open to RIC graduates, friends of the college and the campus community.
“We’ve reimagined Homecoming weekend at a time when the campus has truly transformed,’’ said Director of Alumni Affairs and College Relations Suzy Alba. “This year’s brand new location –the Rhode Island College Events and Recreation Center–also features new events and activities specifically geared toward current RIC students and alums attending Homecoming for the first time.’’
Festivities will commence with an official RICFest kickoff party at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 28 in the Student Union and Ducey Media Center Outdoor Patio. This signature event will include a BBQ cookout, food trucks and live band karaoke from “Maxxtone,’’ the Northeast’s leading live band karaoke show. All are welcome to perform on stage to perform live in a karaoke contest that will feature a selection of more than 500 songs. The winner of the contest will be showcased in a main stage show slated for Saturday, Sept. 30, during the Homecoming weekend.
Also, Thursday evening the college’s School of Social Work Diversity Scholarship Task Force will present a free screening of the Academy Award-nominated movie “Hidden Figures” in Alger Hall 110. The movie showing, beginning at 6 p.m., will include dinner, refreshments and a discussion afterwards about workplace diversity.
RICFest events on Friday, Sept. 29 begin at noon with a free alumni and student BBQ and a volleyball match at the Weber Hall Beach volleyball area. A supply of giveaways will be doled out and music will fill the air.
At 5:30 p.m. Friday, the Return to RIC Reunion will be held for the classes of ’72, ’77, ’82, ’87, ’92, ’97, ’02, ’07 and ’12 in the ALEX AND ANI Hall lobby and lounge. Classsmates are invited to enjoy heavy appetizers, desserts, beer, wine and music from RIC alum DJ Norday ’12, M.S.W.’13. The event is $10 per person.
Friday evening will be capped off with a reflective 50th anniversary and reunion celebration of the RIC Student Union at 6 p.m. in the Student Union. Featuring food, beer and wine, the event is designed to evoke nostalgic thoughts among students, staff and others recalling their favorite memories about the Student Union through the years.
On Saturday, Sept. 30 – a day with the largest slate of homecoming events – RIC graduates, students and parents are invited to a welcome breakfast featuring a conversation with RIC President Frank D. Sánchez and deans from the college’s five schools. The free breakfast begins at 9 a.m. in the Donovan Dining Center.
Another appetizing and new addition to this year’s RICFest will be an assortment of food trucks parked outside the Recreation Center. From 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., food truck vouchers for $2 toward any item will be handed out at a check-in table inside the Recreation Center.
Saturday’s daylong activities will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. inside the RIC Recreation and Event Center, including a local artists and crafters sale, book authors sale, photo booth, henna tattoos, and children related fun such as pumpkin and face painting, games and crafts, balloon sculptures, and an inflatable obstacle course and slide, mini golf course and mechanical shark. A free outdoor BBQ will take place with hamburgers, hot dogs, veggie burgers, apple crisp, soft drinks and more.
RIC’s annual 5K Run/Walk at 11 a.m. will be among Saturday’s athletic events. Online registration is $20 prior to the run; $25 on the day of the event.
Participants are encouraged to bring swimsuits and towels for a new family swim event this year in the Recreation Center’s Olympic-size pool. The family swim runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Volleyball enthusiasts can check out RIC’s Women’s Volleyball Team face off against Becker College and Bridgewater State University at 10 a.m. in the Murray Center while the women’s softball team will play an exhibition match at 11 a.m. at the Dayna Bazar Softball Complex. On the mens’ side, RIC baseball will take on the Community College of Rhode Island during a 12:30 p.m. match on Pontarelli Field, while the soccer athletes square off against UMass-Boston at 1 p.m. on Alumni Field.
Saturday evening the RIC Athletic Hall of Fame will hold its annual dinner and recognition event inside the Recreation Center. Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased by calling 401-456-8007.
On Sunday, Oct. 1, RIC will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony and reception for Ron McLarty ’69, a veteran actor, playwright, audiobook narrator and acclaimed novelist who is donating his published and unpublished works to a Ron McLarty Collection that will be housed in RIC’s James P. Adams Library.
For a full event schedule, browse the calendar below. To register or to buy tickets, visit ric.edu/homecoming, call the Alumni Office at (401) 456-8086 or email alumni@ric.edu.
THURSDAY, SEPT. 28
Kickoff Party
6:30-9:30 p.m.
Student Union and Ducey Media Center Outdoor Patio
Free admission and food
BBQ cookout and food trucks, live band karaoke with “Maxxtone’’ –the Northeast’s leading live band karaoke show –dancing and giveaways. All are welcome onstage to experience what it’s like to perform live, with over 500 songs to choose from, a microphone and lyrics on a video screen. The winner of our Homecoming karaoke contest will be featured on Saturday’s Main Stage.
Registration required at ricfestkickoff.eventbrite.com
“Hidden Figures’’ Film Screening and Diversity Discussion
Sponsored by the School of Social Work Diversity Scholarship Taskforce
6-9:30 p.m.
Alger Hall 110
Free admission, dinner and refreshments
Join us for a screening of the film, “Hidden Figures,’’ (2017), the story of a team of female African-American mathematicians who played a vital role in NASA during the early years of the U.S. space program. A breakout discussion on workplace diversity will follow at the conclusion of the film. Three diversity CEUs are offered to social workers for $30. Certificates of participation are offered to all others.
Registration required at ricfestfilm.eventbrite.com
FRIDAY, SEPT. 29
Alumni and Student Volleyball Match and BBQ
Noon-2 p.m.
Rhode Island College Recreation Center
Free admission includes outdoor BBQ
Students and alumni team up for friendly volleyball matches. No experience is necessary. Music and giveaways are provided.
Registration required at ricvolleyball.eventbrite.com
Return to RIC Reunion
For the 5th-45th Reunion Classes (1972, 1977, 1982, 1987, 1992, 1997, 2002, 2007 and 2012)
5:30-8:30 p.m.
ALEX AND ANI Hall, lobby and lounge
$10 per person
This exciting celebration features heavy appetizers, wine and beer, dessert, special souvenirs, photo booth, opportunities to reconnect with RIC classmates and friends, meet and greet with faculty and RIC President Frank D. Sánchez and more. Guests of RIC graduates are welcome. Entertainment provided by DJ Norday ’12.
Registration required at ricfestreunion.eventbrite.com
Student Union 50th Anniversary and Reunion Celebration
Sponsored by the RIC Alumni Association and Student Union
6-10 p.m.
Rhode Island College Student Union
$20 per person
Whether you were a student employee, professional staff, part of the Student Community Government Inc., RIC Programming, WXIN, The Anchor or another student organization with great memories from the Rhode Island College Student Union, join in this exciting event featuring food, wine, beer, glimpses of campus changes and reconnecting with old friends. An after party comedy show begins at 9 p.m.
This is an age 21+ event.
Registration required at ricstudentunion50.eventbrite.com
Get a head start connecting with friends and seeing nostalgic photos!
Find us on Facebook at RI College Student Union Reunion Page.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 30
Welcome and Check-In
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
RIC Event and Recreation Center Lobby
Pick up information, events schedule and tickets for free cookout and food trucks
President Frank D. Sánchez and College Deans Welcome Breakfast
9-10 a.m.
Donovan Dining Center
RIC graduates, students, parents and the campus community are invited to join us for breakfast and conversation with RIC President Frank D. Sánchez and the deans of RIC’s five schools. Learn about campus news and updates on innovative and collaborative efforts taking place at the college.
Registration required at ricfestprezbreakfast.eventbrite.com
School of Nursing Open House
8:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast
9 a.m. Presentation and Poster Sessions
Fogarty Life Science New Nursing Wing
Register at (401) 456-8013
Admissions Information Session and Campus Tours
10:15-11 a.m. Information Session
11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Tours of Campus
Alger Hall 110
Open to children and grandchildren of alumni. Registration is required at www.ric.edu/campustours
RICFEST Homecoming Daylong Activities
RIC Event and Recreation Center (unless otherwise noted)
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Free admission to all activities
- Local artists and crafters sale
- Book authors sale and signing
- Photo booth
- Henna tattoos
- Kids’ activities, including pumpkin and face painting, “Kids’ Corner” games and crafts, balloon sculptures, inflatable ferris wheel and slide and more
- Inflatable mini golf course and mechanical shark
- Community drumming event led by Casey Belisle ’11. All are welcome to join in and play. Drums and percussion instruments are provided, or bring your own
- Pottery workshop – Play with clay on the pottery wheels or create handmade pots. Aprons and supplies are provided
- RIC Beehive Tours – In a new event this year, tour the Rhode Island College Bee Education Center with campus beekeeper, Jim Murphy. Find out what it’s like to wear a bee suit. Explore hives to see honey bees at work. Bee suits and honey samples are provided.
Free Outdoor BBQ and Food Trucks
11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Join us for a traditional outdoor BBQ that includes hamburgers, hot dogs, veggie burgers, sides, soft drinks and more. Every attendee will receive a coupon toward an item from any food truck. Pick up free BBQ and food truck tickets at check-in table in the Recreation and Event Center lobby.
Main Stage
11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Featured performers include local musicians, singers, dancers, winner of the Kick-Off Party Live Band Karaoke contest and more.
1 p.m.
Special performance by the Ocean State Follies
Athletic Matches and Games
5K Race and Walk
10 a.m. Registration
11 a.m. Race
Robert T. Black Track
Pre-registration $20
Day-of-race registration $25
Student registration $10
Homecoming race t-shirt and BBQ lunch included. Cash prizes and trophies for top runners!
Register online at g@racereg.webconnex.com/ric5k2017
Recreation Center Tours and Family Swim
10 a.m.-1p.m.
Bring your bathing suit, towels, friends and family for open swim in the Recreation and Event Center’s Olympic-size pool. Ongoing tours of the center showcase recent updates.
RIC Women’s Volleyball Tri-Match
10 a.m.
Murray Center
Becker College & Bridgewater State vs. Rhode Island College
RIC Softball Exhibition Game
11 a.m.
Dayna A. Bazar Softball Complex
Pontarelli Field Dedication
Noon
Baseball Complex
RIC Baseball
12:30 p.m.
Pontarelli Field
Community College of Rhode Island vs. Rhode Island College
RIC Men’s Soccer
1 p.m.
Alumni Field
UMass Boston vs. Rhode Island College
Golf Ball Raffle Drop
1:45 p.m.
Alumni Field
RIC Athletic Recognition Event and Hall of Fame Dinner
5:30 p.m. Cocktails
6:30 p.m. Dinner
RIC Event and Recreation Center
Rhode Island College will honor over 100 of its greatest women student-athletes, women coaches and some pioneers of athletics in Rhode Island, as well as enshrine eight new members into its Athletic Hall of Fame. At the gala event, Vin Cullen ’55 will receive the Nazarian/Penfield Leadership Award. Tickets for this event are $25 and available through the Department of Athletics at (401) 456-8007.
SUNDAY, OCT. 1
Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony and Reception for the Ron McLarty Collection
1:15 p.m.
Gaige Hall
Ron McLarty received an undergraduate degree in 1969 and an honorary Doctor of Humanities in 2007 from Rhode Island College. A native of East Providence, McLarty is a veteran actor, accomplished playwright, prolific audiobook narrator and acclaimed novelist. He and his wife, Kate Skinner McLarty, have donated to Rhode Island College his published novels, the audiobooks he narrated, tapes of his television and theatrical performances, newspaper articles and reviews of his works, and many unpublished manuscripts. The Ron McLarty Collection will be housed in the James P. Adams Library.
