The 2022 Southwest Minnesota State University Homecoming weekend is set for Friday, Sept. 30 and Saturday, Oct. 1.

A variety of events will be held on campus during the week leading up to Homecoming. On Wednesday, Sept. 28, SMSU will hold the 2nd annual Mustangs Give: Day of Service sending students, faculty, and staff around the community to engage in a number of service projects.

Visit Marshall is sponsoring the Prairie Jam Concert by Tyler Farr on Thursday, Sept. 29, at the Schwan’s Regional Event Center. Doors open at 5 p.m. Tickets available at visitmarshallmn.com.

The week includes entertainment, residence hall decorating, a karaoke competition, donut drop, and Stampede Feed to name a few.

To accommodate the Prairie Jam Concert, the Homecoming royalty coronation has moved from the evening to noon on Thursday, Sept. 29, and will feature music by Chris Moreno followed by a social in the Conference Center Lower Ballroom.

The weekend will kick-off on Friday, Sept. 30, with SMSU President Kumara Jayasuriya presenting the State of the University Address at 9 a.m. in the Conference Center Upper Level. The address is open to the public. Visitors can park in the A lots; parking permits will not be required. The Foundation and Alumni boards will hold their meetings throughout the day.

Four alumni will be honored at the Alumni Awards Celebration in the Conference Center Upper Level on Friday, Sept. 30 at 4-6 p.m. The award celebration event includes heavy appetizers. Tickets may be purchased in advance at www.SMSUAlumni.com.

The 2022 Alumni Achievement Award honorees include: Mary (Reisdorfer) Fuhrman’95 from Murfreesboro, Tenn.; Dr. Carl Harris ’76 from Chapel Hill, N.C.; Kyle McGowan ’81 from Crete, Neb.; and Clark Meyer ’94 from Sioux Falls, S.D.

The Honorary Lifetime Membership Award recipients are Dr. James and Marianne Zarzana, long-time faculty in the English program at SMSU, who now reside in South Bend, Ind. Emily (Kremer) Joustra ’15 from Hamel is the 2022 GOLD (Graduate of the Last Decade) Award recipient.

This year, the special Paxton Alumni Service Award will be given to Ken and Gwen Mukomela and family in recognition their dedication and service to SMSU. Highlights and histories of the award recipients will be published soon.

The annual University Gala, traditionally held on the Friday of Homecoming, has moved to Nov. 5.

Friday evening will feature SMSU Volleyball at 6 p.m. vs. Minnesota Duluth. The Planetarium will have a “Laser Rock” show, featuring the music of David Bowie, Queen, and more, starting at 8 p.m. Seating in the Planetarium is limited to 60 people. After dark, the Student Alumni Association and Residence Life will host a bonfire in Central Field.

The SMSU Veterans Club sponsors their annual 5K walk/run and 10K run. The run will begin at 8 a.m. from the Social Science parking lot on the north end of campus. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m.

The traditional Alumni parade hospitality tent featuring breakfast paninos, coffee, and hot cocoa will be located at the corner of Main Street and East College Drive, at Memorial Park, starting at 10:45 a.m.

The Homecoming parade will begin at 11 a.m., with the lineup starting at 10 a.m. The intersection of Lyon and Jewett streets serves as the check-in for all parade participants. The parade will run its usual route, from Lyon Street to Main Street and ending at 5th Street. Anyone interested in participating in the parade should contact Scott.Ewing@SMSU.edu.

The SMSU Planetarium will run a second show “Extreme Universe” featuring highlights from the James Webb telescope at 1 p.m. The Planetarium is in Science and Math 108 on the SMSU campus.

The Swimming Alumni along with the SMSU Swimming and Diving team will host a social in the Don Palm Natatorium from 12:30-1:30 p.m.

Everyone is invited to stop by the Elizabeth Lockwood SMSU Alumni & Visitor Center for an Open House from noon-5 p.m. located at 1430 E. College Drive.

The Class of 1972 will gather for their 50th reunion at 1 p.m. in the Alumni Heritage Gallery, Student Center. SMSU Volleyball faces St. Cloud State at 2 p.m. in the PE Gym.

A Homecoming Tailgate/Family Fun Fest will be held from 3-5 p.m. in the R/A Facility parking lot area. It will feature family games, food, and music.

The SMSU Football game vs. Upper Iowa begins at 5 p.m. at the Schwan Regional Event Center. A short ceremony recognizing the Homecoming Royalty and a parade of flags representing SMSU International Students will be held prior to the kickoff.

After the game, alumni and friends are invited to stop by the Wooden Nickel for a social starting at 8 p.m.

The weekend concludes with the Residential Restaurant in the SMSU Student Center offering an Alumni Brunch from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Schedule of events:

Monday, Sept. 26

8-10 a.m.

Donut Drop, BA Lobby, sponsored by Graduate Studies

5-7 p.m.

Stampede Feed, sponsored by Chartwells, Residential Restaurant

Tuesday, Sept. 27

All day

King and Queen voting opens, online on Engage Platform

8 p.m.

Candidates Night, hypnotist, PE Gym

Wednesday, Sept. 28

9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Mustangs Give: Day of Service, volunteers check-in at FH Lobby

11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Mustang Karaoke! try-outs, CC Upper Ballroom

5-7 p.m.

VIP Night at the Campus Book Store, Student Center

7-10 p.m.

Mustang Karaoke! finals

CC Upper Ballroom

Thursday, Sept. 29

9 a.m.-noon

Residence Hall Spirit decorating judging, office and door decorating judging, all campus (Enter at Alumni@SMSU.edu)

Noon

Homecoming coronation and social, Chris Moreno, musician, CC Lower Ballroom

5 p.m.

Doors open, Prairie Jam Concert: Tyler Farr, sponsored by Visit Marshall, Schwan Regional Event Center

8:30 p.m.

Take2 Improv, Black Box Theatre

Friday, Sept. 30

9-10 a.m.

State of the University address, Conference Center Upper Level

10-11:30 a.m.

SMSU Foundation Board meeting, Upper Level, Conference Center

11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

SMSU Foundation and Alumni joint board meeting, Conference Center

12:30-2 p.m.

Mustang Mentorship Program, meet and greet with SMSU Foundation & Alumni boards, lunch and social time, Conference Center

2-3 p.m.

SMSU Alumni Board meeting, Elizabeth Lockwood SMSU Alumni &Visitor Center

4-6 p.m.

SMSU Alumni Achievement Awards Celebration, CC Upper Ballroom

6 p.m.

Volleyball vs. Minnesota Duluth, PE Gym

8-9 p.m.

Laser Light Show: “Laser Rock” featuring music by Foreigner, David Bowie, ZZ Top, Genesis, Rush, Queen, Elton John, SMSU Planetarium, SM 108

9 p.m.-midnight

Student bonfire, Central Field, Sponsored by Student Alumni Association & Residence Life

Saturday, Oct. 1

7:30 a.m.

5K and 10K race, sponsored by the SMSU Veterans Club, check-in/start at Social Science Parking Lot

7:30 a.m.-noon

Farmers Market, parking lot between YMCA and Schwan’s

10 a.m.

Parade line-up begins, Lyon/Jewett streets check-in

10:45 a.m.

Alumni parade hospitality tent, featuring breakfast paninos, hot cocoa and coffee, Memorial Park, Corner of Main Street/East College Drive

11 a.m.

Homecoming parade, Lyon Street to Main Street to 5th Street

1-2 p.m.

Planetarium Star Show: “Extreme Universe” featuring highlights of our newest space telescope (James Webb) and travel to the limits of the universe, SMSU Planetarium, SM 108

12:30-1:30 p.m.

Swimming social, Don Palm Natatorium, PE Pool

Noon-5 p.m.

Open house, Elizabeth Lockwood SMSU Alumni & Visitor Center

1-2 p.m.

Class of ’72 reunion, Alumni Heritage Gallery, Student Center

2 p.m.

Volleyball vs. St. Cloud State, PE Gym

3 -5 p.m.

Homecoming Tailgate and Family Fun Fest with food, beverage garden and music

4:40 p.m.

Pre-game introduction of homecoming Royalty, Schwan Regional Event Center

4:45 p.m.

Parade of Nations, Schwan Regional Event Center

5 p.m.

Football vs. Upper Iowa, Schwan Regional Event Center

8-10 p.m.

Alumni social, Wooden Nickel

Sunday, Oct. 2

10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Alumni brunch, Residential Restaurant, Student Center