Gold and blue pride abounds in Morgantown this week (Oct. 24-29) as generations of alumni return home to reconnect, reminisce and celebrate an expanded West Virginia University Homecoming Week. 

Candidates for West Virginia University’s 2022 Homecoming Royalty Court have been selected and are now vying for the title of Homecoming Royalty. Starting from the back left, they are: Rylan Nemesh, Raeanne Beckner, Morgan Griffith, Lillian Bischof, Sohan Daniel. Starting from front row left: Amaya Jernigan, Lauren Moore, Paige McElroy, Olivia Steeley. Not pictured: Raafay Uqaily. (WVU Photo)

In its new era of leadership and strategic partnership with the University, the WVU Alumni Association is working to enhance the Homecoming experience for WVU alums, current students and the community.   

“Homecoming is an opportunity to bring alumni back to Morgantown and let them experience campus in a meaningful way and to create new moments and memories that will last a lifetime,” Kevin Berry, vice president for alumni relations, said. “We are really excited to continue to add to the Homecoming experience for all those who love WVU.” 

Attendees will reunite with a combination of in-person and virtual events through the week and kick off the weekend with the annual Homecoming Parade beginning at 6 p.m. Friday (Oct. 28) on High Street featuring the recipients of the WVU Alumni Association Homecoming and Alumni Service awards.  

The University will also name two students “Homecoming Royalty” during a halftime ceremony at the football game against TCU Saturday (Oct. 29) at Milan Puskar Stadium. 

Homecoming Court candidates include: Raeanne Beckner, a senior dual journalism and multidisciplinary studies major from Bridgeport; Lillian Bischof, a senior dual chemical engineering and finance major from Wheeling; Sohan Daniel, a senior sport and exercise psychology major from Chantilly, Virginia; Morgan Griffith, a graduate student in human resource management from Avon, Connecticut; Amaya Jernigan, a senior biology major minoring in addiction studies from Waldorf, Maryland; Paige McElroy, a senior advertising and public relations major from Miamisburg, Ohio; Lauren Moore, a graduate student in business data analytics from West Milford; Rylan Nemesh, a senior mining engineering major from Allentown, Pennsylvania; Olivia Steeley, a senior nursing major from Greensburg, Pennsylvania; and Raafay Uqaily, a senior biomedical engineering major from Morgantown.  

Students can vote for Homecoming Royalty on WVUENGAGE from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday (Oct. 25) and Wednesday (Oct. 26).  

More than 20 former mascots are returning to campus for the Mountaineer Mascot Reunion, a three-day (Oct. 27-29) celebration that has taken place every five years since 1992.   

The former Mountaineers will partner with the American Red Cross to host a blood drive from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday (Oct. 27) in the Nutting Gallery of the Erickson Alumni Center and, at 7 p.m., they will participate in a fireside chat moderated by Anjelica Trinone from Gold and Blue Nation, also at the Erickson Alumni Center.  

Other key events:  

The “Alumni Association Truck Pop-Up Events” are being held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday (Oct. 24) Downtown, Tuesday (Oct. 25) at Health Sciences and Wednesday (Oct. 26) at Evansdale.  

“WVU Student Life: Then & Now,” a virtual conversation with Dean of Students Corey Farris, starts at 3 p.m. Monday (Oct. 24).  

“The WVU Campus: Past, Present & Future,” a virtual conversation focused on the evolution of Morgantown with Ted Svehlik, associate vice president of Auxiliary and Business Services, takes place at 2 p.m. Wednesday (Oct. 26).  

“Mountaineer Friday” offers food, games, music and a chance to meet some the Mountaineer coaches beginning at 11 a.m. Friday (Oct. 28) outside the Downtown bookstore. 

Alumni, friends and family are invited to stop by Woodburn Circle for homecoming photos from 4-5:30 p.m. Friday (Oct. 28).  

Since 1910, the University has welcomed alumni, students and community members to come together in the fall for festivities across campus. The tradition of Homecoming weekend started in 1921 and, since 1930, has been observed annually with the exceptions of 1932, 1934 and 2020. In 1932 and 1934, the Great Depression was taking place in the United States. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many football games took place in empty stands while fans watched at home.   

Visit the 2022 Homecoming website for more information and the full schedule of events.  

Read the original story here. 

ta/10/24/22  

MEDIA CONTACT: Jessica McGee 
Director of Marketing and Communications 
WVU Alumni Association 
304-293-0969; jessica.mcgee1@mail.wvu.edu  
 
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