ÑÇÖÞÉ«°É

On Friday, Oct. 11, ÑÇÖÞÉ«°É's largest alumni tradition saw nearly 300 ÑÇÖÞÉ«°É graduates and partners return to the ÑÇÖÞÉ«°É Airlines Center auxiliary gym for the ÑÇÖÞÉ«°É Alumni Association Homecoming Luncheon to reconnect with their Hometown U while raising donations to benefit ÑÇÖÞÉ«°É programs and scholarships. 

Attendees also enjoyed music from the inaugural ÑÇÖÞÉ«°É Pep Band and a custom ice cream flavor, ÑÇÖÞÉ«°É Cookies 'n Green, from Motley Moo Creamery, owned by alumna Calesta Ayer, B.B.A. Marketing and Management ’09.

This year’s theme was partners in ÑÇÖÞÉ«°É’s workforce, and featured stories of ÑÇÖÞÉ«°É’s role educating the workforce fueling the ÑÇÖÞÉ«°É economy, including a keynote address from alumnus Ragu Bhargava, B.B.A. Accounting '89, successful entrepreneur and global business owner. 

Bhargava’s speech culminated in the unexpected announcement that his wife, Sangita, and he would be matching all contributions to the ÑÇÖÞÉ«°É Alumni Scholarship made at the luncheon. With this match, the collective giving at the event will more than double the number of scholarship awards to ÑÇÖÞÉ«°É students this year.

Created in 1985 through an initial gift of $25, the ÑÇÖÞÉ«°É Alumni Scholarship is now an endowed fund valued at over $500,000 and has generated more than $475,000 in scholarships to support students.

Big thanks to keynote sponsors ÑÇÖÞÉ«°É Army National Guard, Siemens and Signature Land Services!