A year’s worth of preparation is behind this weekend’s 46 Homecoming events, which are sponsored by the Alumni Association and numerous other campus organizations.

The events are made to appeal to Kent State’s diverse group of alumni and current students, said Nancy Schiappa, associate director of Outreach at Alumni Relations.

“It’s the colleges, athletics, Army ROTC, residence halls, Greek Life — everybody looks into ways they can participate,” Schiappa said.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Distinguished Teacher Awards, scheduled for 10:30 a.m. tomorrow in the Student Center’s Schwebel Room, making it one of the longest-running events.

Three full-time tenured teachers are selected by a committee of six students and six faculty members to be awarded $1,500 as a part of the honor. Each of the 92 living past recipients of the award have been invited to attend this year’s event.

Another milestone to be celebrated is the Class of ’57 reunion, scheduled for 11 a.m. in the Schwebel Room. Each alumnus or alumna will be inducted into Kent State’s Golden Order, a recognition earned at one’s 50th graduation anniversary. They will also attend a luncheon and campus tour.

“That’s something many of them look forward to,” Schiappa said of the campus tours. “A place like this changes a lot.”

Schiappa said Kent State’s alma mater plays a special part in the reunion festivities.

“These folks will put their hand over their heart and sing it,” she said.

“Classes Without Quizzes” features several lectures ranging in topic from global warming, wine tasting and a planetarium show.

“Its nice for alumni who have been out of school to come and sit in on some of these lectures,” Schiappa said.

Other events include the Bowman 5K Cup Race/Walk, open ice skating, a ribbon cutting for the opening of the Kent State portion of the Portage County Hike and Bike Trail and a Homecoming Extravaganza at the Student Center.

Schiappa said she thinks the schedule of events will appeal to alumni, students and their families alike.

“When you look at Homecoming, you have such a diverse group,” Schiappa said. “You have 22- (and) 23-year-olds coming back. You have the class of ’57 and even some who graduated before that in attendance.”

Schiappa said planning for next year’s Homecoming will begin next week.

“We have a meeting Wednesday the 10th — it’s a year’s worth of work,” she said.

Contact news correspondent Jenna Staul at [email protected].