Once again this fall, UW Oshkosh will offer an engaging workshop series of classes that will help you develop a talent or explore an area of interest.

UW Oshkosh students and alumni, as well as members of the Evergreen community, qualify for a discounted registration fee.

• Beginner Clogging
  Wednesdays, Oct. 24–Dec. 19 (no class Nov. 21) from 5:30–6:45 p.m.

• Ballroom Dance
  Thursdays, Nov. 1–Dec. 13, 2012 (no class Nov. 22) from 6–7:30 p.m.

• Latin Dance
  Mondays, Nov. 5–Dec. 10, 2012 from 6:30–8 p.m.

• Watercolors
  Tuesdays, Nov. 6–Dec. 4, 2012 from 6–8 p.m.

• Swing Dance
  Wednesdays, Nov. 7–Dec. 5, 2012 (no class Nov. 21) from 6:30–8 p.m.

For course descriptions and to register, visit uwosh.edu/conted/enrich or call (920) 424-1129 or toll-free (800) 633-1442. The Enrich workshop series is presented by the UWO Division of Lifelong Learning and Community Engagement.

“I truly think this is going to be our biggest Homecoming to date,” said UW Oshkosh Alumni Relations Director Christine Gantner. “We have an incredible number of student/campus as well as alumni-related events planned for this year, including our first-ever, All-Greek Reunion with more than 200 alumni registered to take part.”

Kicking off the retro week is the annual volunteerism event, Hands on Oshkosh, which begins Saturday, Oct. 6, in Reeve Memorial Union Ballroom at 8:30 a.m. Students, faculty and staff will come together to volunteer and make a difference in the community.

Homecoming week continues with a variety of fun campus events, including:

•  Monday, window painting in Reeve and office decoration judging on campus, 2-4 p.m.
• Tuesday, residence hall/ house decorations judging, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; talent show in Reeve Ballroom starts at 8 p.m.
• Wednesday, comedian, singer, songwriter and Internet celebrity Bo Burnham performs at 8 p.m., Albee Hall gym. Tickets can be purchased at the Student Leadership and Involvement front desk in Reeve; prices are $10 for students and $15 for the general public.
• Thursday, Spoons Tournament, 4 p.m., and first-ever Powder Puff Flag Football game, 6-9 p.m., both at the Student Recreation and Wellness Center.
• Friday, Campus Food Drive, 3:30-5 p.m., Blackhawk Commons Receiving Dock; Yell like Hell rally and a Lip Sync event, both at 7 p.m., Albee Hall Gym.

“Throughout the week, we also are proud to welcome back noted alumni to UW Oshkosh to share their expertise with students and the entire campus community,” Gantner said.

These events include a piano performance by alumna Janice Meyer ’71, as part of the Transcontinental Piano Duo at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Music Hall; a panel discussion with Radio-TV-Film alumni, 1:30-4:30 p.m. Friday in the broadcast studio, Arts and Communication west building; and a lecture about hydrogeology by alumna Beverly Herzog ’76, 4:10 p.m., Reeve Union Theater.

Nine top alumni will be honored by the UWO Alumni Association at the Alumni Awards Dinner Friday at 5 p.m., in Reeve 227. A multimedia presentation of the Alumni Memories Project will be unveiled at the event. Reservations required.

Homecoming Saturday

Saturday, Oct. 13 kicks off with a groundbreaking ceremony for the Alumni Welcome and Conference Center at 9 a.m. at the northwest corner of Peal Avenue and Wisconsin Street. From 9:30 to 11 a.m., a Continental Breakfast and Open House will take place at Pollock Alumni House, located at 765 Algoma Blvd, followed by a campus highlights tour, departing at 10 a.m.

Registration for the family-friendly Tour de Titan Bike Ride begins at 9:30 a.m. at Pollock. At 11 a.m., the bikes will line up and depart from Pollock and end at Tent City, on Josslyn Street at the Oshkosh Sports Complex.

The pregame celebration at Tent City with free food and music will be held from 12 to 1:30 p.m. This event provides a perfect opportunity for students and alumni to socialize, network and build their UWO pride in a fun, interactive setting.

UWO senior Amy Will, a community development specialist for Residence Life, is helping to coordinate the tent site for the department.

“Coordinating with the awesome Homecoming team has been an amazing experience,” Will said. “I cannot wait for Tent City to arrive and to see all the fun events, especially the caricature artist in the Residence Life tent.”

UW Oshkosh takes on UW-Platteville for the Homecoming football game at J. J. Keller Field at 1:30 p.m. Admission is $8 for adults; $6 for seniors, $4 for K-12 students. Admission is free to all UW Oshkosh students with a valid Titan ID card.

At the start of the game, the 1972 championship football team will be honored during the 40th anniversary celebration of the Wisconsin State University Conference championship game. The team will be presented with plaques by the Titan Touchdown Club—an alumni organization that provides services throughout the football season.

The All-Greek Reunion Celebration will get underway in the Reeve Union Ballroom at 7 p.m., with an hors d’oeuvres buffet and cash bar. An All-Greek Continental Breakfast will be held Sunday morning, Oct. 14, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at George’s Gaslight Inn, located at 1903 Harrison St. Preregistration is required for these events.

by Lori Ligocki

Learn more:

• www.uwosh.edu/homecoming

• www.uwosh.edu/go/greek

• reeve.uwosh.edu/

As defined, my most cherished UW Oshkosh  memory is the Campus Crusade for Christ Navigator Christmas Party. This gathering occurred  on Saturday evening Dec. 15,1978 , in the Scott Hall basement.

I was a resident of Scott Hall at the time. I was a freshman at the University at the end of my first semester and an athlete, competing on the football and varsity wresting teams.  I was by this time very depressed and suicidal. And I was within 18 days of jumping off the Wisconsin Street Bridge to end my life.

On the evening of Dec. 15, I was not feeling well and decided to stay in for the evening.

I decided to venture to the vending machines and get a Diet Coke to try to settle my stomach. I had a pair of socks with holes on my feet and no shoes. I was on the elevator on my way back to my room when I was invited to attend the party. I wanted to put my shoes on . The person that invited me to the party said, “No you can come to the party with just your socks.”

The party attendees seemed to be having a good time as I arrived. We played some games and had some non-alcoholic refreshments. The time came at the end of the evening when we sang Christmas songs. And then a man stood up and gave a Gospel message. He talked about the love of God and the need for Jesus in your life in order to get along in this world. So that evening, I accepted Jesus into my life at 9:45 p.m.

This is my favorite , most cherished UW Oshkosh memory. It is my most cherished memory because that individual decision has influenced the path of my life. I have traveled and served in the ministry and have helped other people. And I have had numerous opportunities to give testimony of Dec. the 15^, 1978 at 9:45 p.m. in Scott Hall basement.

It has been 34 years since that decision. I am still alive and am still in an intimate love relationship with Jesus Christ. I occasionally have the privilege to be on campus. And each time, I have to drive by Scott Hall and remember my life-changing decision. I graduated from UWO in 1983 and went off to graduate school at Bob Jones University in Greenville, S.C., and went on to serve in the ministry. So this is a memory, I treat with affection and I treat as dear.

by Markie Ann Wenzel ’83, of Milwaukee

However, I’d be remiss to leave the memory of standing in front of my entire graduating class to deliver the commencement speech out of the ‘favorite UWO memory’ category. I ended my speech by saying, “Thank you, Oshkosh, for sharing your home with me and with all of us.” I’m still thankful to Oshkosh and don’t think anything could compare to the pride I felt for being a UWO student on that day.

by Vanessa Virbitsky ’08, Colorado Springs, Colo.

by Todd Teske ’87, of Pewaukee

Being elected Greek Man of the Year is a very special memory.

Giving the 1968 Commencement Address as Senior Class President is unforgettable.

Being twice elected to both the Prom Court and Winter Carnival Courts was an extremely fond memory.

I also cherish the many memories connected with my role as Student Body President in my junior year.

by Ron Schreier ’68 and MSE ’70, of Appleton

by Keith Schwartz ’10, of Buffalo Grove, Ill.

Pictured are: Karen Dohr, Diane Wessing, Vicki Floether, Gail Marucci, Connie Braun, Linda Kofel, Barb Rhode, Mary Beth Reak, Pledge Mom Rachel Krause and Patti Pelant.

In the spring of 1966, these young women were some of the pledges of an exceptional Alpha Phi sorority pledge class.

On this particular night with their pledge mother in capture, this group decided that an old-fashioned bathtub was the perfect accessory for the sorority’s Frannie Willard party.  As one of the founders of Alpha Phi, Francis Willard was a leader in the Women’s Temperance Union.  This group thought the bathtub could be used for some other beverage besides “bathtub gin.”

by Gail Marucci ’69. of Sun Prairie