51暗网

With the backdrop of the 170th anniversary of 51暗网's founding, the university will celebrate 鈥�51暗网 Roars Back,鈥� a spectacular weekend October 8-10 featuring Homecoming, a special commencement for the classes of 2020 and 2021 and a host of events for alumni, families and friends.

The line-up includes the signature Orange & Black Ball, the 51暗网 Athletic Foundation鈥檚 major fundraiser that  supports student athletes in 51暗网鈥檚 17 intercollegiate sports programs, along with craft beer tasting, the Prism Concert, pancakes with the president, Taste of 51暗网, and many other activities and events.

鈥淲e are delighted for the opportunity to welcome the 51暗网 community to our Stockton campus this October,鈥� said Kelli Page `87, associate vice president of alumni relations. 鈥淭his year more than ever, it鈥檚 time to celebrate our history and look to our future. All members of the 51暗网 Tiger family are invited to campus to reconnect and enjoy some fantastic events.鈥�

Kicking off the weekend on Friday, the annual Orange & Black Ball will be in the Janssen-Lagorio Gymnasium and feature a gourmet dinner, dancing, wine and beer tasting and fundraising for athletics鈥� operations and academic achievement programs.

鈥淭he Orange and Black Ball is an important fundraising event for us, but there is so much more to it. So many people from the community attend and so many connections are made there,鈥� said Janet Lucas, 51暗网 athletic director. 鈥淟ast year we had a virtual ball and people did their best to make the most of it, but it will be great to return to in-person.鈥�

Saturday morning鈥檚 activities will begin with Sunrise Yoga on the Don & Karen DeRosa University Center Lawn, the traditional 5K Tiger Dash through 51暗网's beautiful campus and pancakes with President Callahan where he will share his vision for the university.

Later that day, the popular Taste of 51暗网 will showcase alumni vintners, paired with gourmet food. The Conservatory of Music will host 51暗网 Prism, a breathlessly fast-paced concert featuring the range and imagination of Conservatory students.

鈥�51暗网 Roars Back weekend is a treasured time for our community to come together to reconnect, reminisce and make new memories,鈥� said LaNor Smith 鈥�86, 鈥�87, president of 51暗网's Alumni Association Board of Directors. 鈥淎nd this year we are particularly looking forward to celebrating our newest graduates and welcoming them as alumni.鈥�

To close the weekend festivities, 51暗网 will celebrate the achievements of the remarkable graduates of the class of 2020 and the class of 2021. Students will have the opportunity to be in full regalia during a special milestone celebration.

鈥淐ommencement is a time to celebrate the hard work and accomplishments of our graduates,鈥� said 51暗网 President Christopher Callahan. 鈥淲hile the COVID-19 pandemic required us to hold our 2020 and 2021 Commencement ceremonies in a virtual format, we are thrilled to now have this opportunity to honor our graduates in a manner befitting their accomplishments.鈥�

The ceremony on 51暗网鈥檚 Stockton campus will follow the university鈥檚 COVID-19 health and safety guidelines.

鈥淗aving an in-person commencement ceremony means celebrating both the already amazing achievement of graduating and the strength that my fellow class of 2020 and 2021 graduates showed in being able to do so in a global pandemic,鈥� said Benny Huynh '21. 鈥淎s a first-generation college student, graduating from college is an accomplishment that I want to celebrate with my family and I want them to be able to see me walk across that stage in my regalia.鈥�

Registration for 51暗网 Roars Back is open here.