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Full Weekend Of Events Planned For Black Alumni Reunion


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Ohio University will welcome back all former African American Bobcats for the 2013 Black Alumni Reunion being held this Sept. 27-29. Hosted by the Ohio University Alumni Association, the BAR is Ohio’s largest formal alumni reunion. The triennial event brings hundreds of alumni back to campus. The Reunion kicks off with a Gospel Voices of Faith Reception on Friday afternoon. The weekend is packed with a multitude of events, ranging from faith receptions, a comedy show, networking gatherings, and even a cookout. This year’s BAR theme is “Through the Decades.”

The Black Alumni Reunion is a long-standing tradition within the Ohio University community. It dates back to 1982, when the University first welcomed back black alumni.

“I was so excited to see all these alumni, African American alumni coming back to campus,” said business administration major and 1982 graduate Tim Brown.

According to Brown, the reunion offers encouragement for current students, and alumni see that Ohio University is in good hands.

“It’s exciting to see that the younger generation cares about the history of Ohio University and can celebrate those who have come before them,” he said.

Students on campus have anticipated the arrival of the Black Alumni Reunion for weeks. The Black Student Union and Black Student Cultural Programing Board (BSCPB) have been preparing students for the mass amount of networking to be happening this upcoming weekend. The board aided in the planning of the cookout and the comedy show occurring Friday.

 “I can connect with alumni coming back and it’s just nice to see people here from my freshman year…I miss the people that’s what I’m most excited about,” said Julius Smiley, a Spanish major and president of the BSCPB.

“Seeing all the alumni coming back will give them the pride that they need to see that concerns being a Bobcat,” Smiley said, on how he thinks the reunion will affect underclassman.

The Black Alumni Reunion is made possible with sponsorships from Nationwide Insurance, the Athens County Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Ohio University Credit Union, the Ohio University Inn and Conference Center and The Pigskin Bar and Grill.