Contact: Jack Bailey (304) 766-4109
INSTITUTE, W.Va. — West Virginia State University (WVSU) will host a full slate of Homecoming activities kicking off on Thursday, October 6, and culminating with the WVSU National Alumni Association Homecoming After Party on Saturday, October 8, at the Charleston Marriott.

“We are excited to welcome our alumni back to campus with a complete schedule of in-person activities that resemble a pre-pandemic Homecoming celebration,” said WVSU President Ericke S. Cage. “We look forward to welcoming back our former students to campus to witness the progress we are making to move the university forward. We hope our alumni feel a sense of ‘home’ as they come back to visit this place we love so dear and see friends and family.”
Homecoming 2022 activities start at 10 a.m. Thursday with a golf outing at Little Creek Country Club in South Charleston. Registration begins at 10 a.m. with a shotgun start at 11 a.m. This four-man scramble is $50 per player. The cost includes lunch, green fees, carts, beverages, dinner, and a door prize ticket. Proceeds benefit WVSU Athletics.
At 1:30 p.m. Thursday, President Cage will give his first State of the University Address as the 13th WVSU President. This will take place in Ferrell Hall’s P. Ahmed Williams Auditorium.
Also on Thursday, event registration and ticket pickup for Homecoming will be from 1 to 5 p.m. on the second floor of the Charleston Marriott in downtown Charleston.
The National Alumni Association Board meeting will be at 3 p.m. Thursday on the second floor of the Charleston Marriott.
A presidential portrait unveiling to honor former WVSU President Thomas W. Cole, Jr. will be held at 5 p.m. Thursday inside the Cole Complex on campus. Light refreshments will be served.
From 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, there will be an alumni mixer at the Monroe Complex and Lakin-Ray Field. This is a networking opportunity for fellow Yellow Jackets to meet one another and catch up. Light hors d’oeuvres, refreshments, and a cash bar will be provided. From 9 to 11 p.m. there will be a light show on Lakin-Ray Field with a special guest DJ.
Friday’s events begin with a “W” Club meeting at 8:30 a.m. in the James C. Wilson University Union, room 131. Event registration and ticket pickup continues Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the second floor of the Charleston Marriott.
An ROTC induction ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. Friday in the Davis Fine Arts Fannin S. Belcher Theater. A reception will follow in the art gallery.
From 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday will be an ROTC Hall of Fame Open House in the Ferguson-Lincoln Building. At 11:30 a.m. a dedication will be held at the Dr. Hazo W. Carter, Jr. Integrated Research and Extension Building (IREB). This dedication will formally rename the IREB, which previously was the former West Virginia Rehab Center.
A Greek unity picnic will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday at the WVSU Student Plaza. All are welcome to join for a picnic hosted by the ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in celebration of Nu Chapter’s 100th anniversary. The Homecoming Coronation Ceremony will be at 4:30 p.m. in the Davis Fine Arts Fannin S. Belcher Theater. Mister and Miss State will be crowned.
The Alumni Homecoming Boat Ride makes its return at 7 p.m. on Friday departing from Daniel Boone Park in Charleston. Alumni can enjoy food, music, and time spent with friends and family while gliding along the Kanawha River. The cruise includes a dinner buffet. Boarding is at 7 p.m. and sailing is promptly at 8 p.m. through 10:30 p.m.
A “W” Club dance will be at 10 p.m. Friday in the second floor ballroom in the Charleston Marriott. Entry to the dance is $10.
Saturday’s events will begin with the “W” Club Sports Hall of Fame Induction brunch at 8:30 a.m. in the James C. Wilson University Union. Admission to the brunch is $10.
The annual Homecoming Parade and tailgating will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday on campus. The parade begins at Shawnee Park and proceeds along Route 25 before turning onto campus and continuing through the heart of campus to the football field. Immediately following the parade, alumni and guests may visit and sample foods from local vendors. A “W” Club bell ringing ceremony will also occur immediately following the parade at the Canty House.
An Alumni Welcome Reception will be at 11:30 a.m. Saturday in the Erickson Alumni Center. Alumni and guests may join the WVSU community for a reception honoring the Alumnus of the Year and Young Professional. The WVSU Yellow Jacket football team will play the West Virginia Wesleyan Bobcats at 1 p.m. on Lakin-Ray Field at Dickerson Stadium. Admission to the game is $20 and tickets will be sold at the gate.
A Step Show will be held at 5 p.m. sharp inside Fleming Hall on Mark Cardwell Court. All Greek organizations will be represented. Admission for WVSU students with ID is $5 and general admission is $10.
A Homecoming Awards Banquet will begin at 7:30 p.m. Saturday on the second floor of the Charleston Marriott. Alumni and guests may join the National Alumni Association for the William L. Lonesome Awards Dinner and Class Reunion as alumni award winners are honored. WVSU classes ending in 0, 1, 2, 5, 6, or 7 will also be recognized as they celebrate reunion years.
The WVSU National Alumni Association Homecoming After Party will close the Homecoming 2022 celebration beginning at 11 p.m. Saturday in the second floor ballroom of the Charleston Marriott. Admission is $20 and there will be a special guest DJ.
For more information about Homecoming 2022 event registrations, please visit or contact Belinda Fuller, Executive Director of Alumni Relations, at (304) 766-3387 or .
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