Several event are being planned for the homecoming events including Top
Dog Gala, office decoration contest among other events promoting school
pride. The Fresno State Marching Band will also be performing at the
homecoming halftime show.
Mike Howells / Collegian File Photo
Homecoming activities celebrating Fresno State have taken place this past week in many different areas of campus to increase campus spirit.
The Staff Assembly Executive Committee is hosting its homecoming office decorating contest, which this year involves about seven different departments throughout campus.
“It’s just to show your Bulldog pride,” Michelle Melikian, president of the Staff Assembly Executive Committee, said. “We try to encourage incorporating school spirit in different areas and this is a great way to do that.”
The theme for this year’s decorating contest, which has been around for at least five years, was “Bulldog pride.”
The Staff Assembly Executive Committee sent out a bulletin inviting various offices to get involved.
“Some departments get really crazy,” Melikian said. “So we try to take pictures of everybody because there’s so much effort put into it.”
Pictures from this year’s contest and previous contests can be found at csufresno.edu/staffassembly.
Winners from this year’s contest will be announced at halftime of the homecoming football game on Friday
Other campus events include the Top Dog Gala on Thursday evening, hosted by the Fresno State Alumni Association at the Save Mart Center.
This classic event aims to honor distinguished alumni for their accomplishments after college and also recognizes Fresno State Alumni Association scholarship recipients.
This year, $125,000 will be given out in scholarships to Fresno State students.
Previous Top Dog recipients include Fresno mayor Ashley Swearengin, who was declared an outstanding alumni by the Craig School of Business in 1997.
Former Fresno State quarterback and Super Bowl champion Trent Dilfer was recognized in 2009 as well.
“This is a good event to have because it allows students to see other successful alumni,” Brooke Lindblad, Alumni Association events coordinator, said.
The Top Dog winners and other details can be found at alumniconnections.com.
Another homecoming event is the Fresno State Homecoming Bulldog Band Bash benefit dinner.
This event, which will take place Friday, Oct. 14, is organized to fundraise for the Dr. Lawrence R. Sutherland Scholarship Endowment and will consist of a tri-tip dinner and a live silent auction.
“It’s a really great time for alumni and friends to get together,” Sindi McGuire, administrative assistant for the Bulldog Marching Band, said.
The Fresno State Marching Band will also be performing at the homecoming halftime show.
Other than these events, tailgates and waves of red will be seen and heard about throughout campus up to game day.
University Student Union productions is also planning to host a student tailgate on Saturday, Oct. 15 before the homecoming football game.
Several Fresno State students have shown their pride days before and during the event. Tristyn Silva, an English major, wore something red every day this week.
“I wanted to show my school pride,” Silva said. “It’s important to be proud of where you’re from and I hope that other students will do the same.
“Even though times are bad, we are really fortunate to have events like this still taking place,” Silva said. “I don’t want to miss out on any of my college experience, because I’m lucky to be here.”
