Alumni

Homecoming West

October 3rd - 5th | 2008
San Diego, Calif.

Come celebrate Valparaiso University’s 150th anniversary on the West Coast at Homecoming West. Meet the new president, Mark Heckler, and celebrate with fellow alumni, VU faculty and friends. From golf, to receptions, to a Valpo-style worship service, there is something for every interest.

Registration Information

Phone and fax reservations are accepted with certain credit cards by calling the Homecoming West Hotline, 800.833.6792, ext. 45, or fax to 219.464.5467. Registration and refund deadline is Friday, Sept. 19.

Hotel Information
The Crowne Plaza San Diego on Hotel Circle serves as the headquarters for the weekend. It is seven miles from San Diego’s International Airport. Hotel reservations may be made online. The Valpo Homecoming West group rate is $131 per night (plus applicable taxes). A special block of rooms has been reserved for the nights of Thursday, Oct. 2, Friday, Oct. 3, and Saturday, Oct. 4. The reduced rate also is available three days prior and three days following, based on availability. Reserving rooms early is highly recommended. The cutoff date for the special rate is Thursday, Sept. 11. The hotel also will offer a special selfpark rate of $10 per day. Alumni may make room reservations by calling 888.233.9527 from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific time. Provide passkey VUH.

Schedule of Events

Friday, Oct. 3rd

8:30 a.m.
Homecoming West Golf Outing
Eastlake Country Club, 2375 Clubhouse Dr., Chula Vista, Calif.
Gather with alumni and friends for an exciting round of golf at a beautiful course. Meet at the course at 8:30 a.m., with a 9 a.m. start. The $75 fee includes 18 holes, cart, a light lunch, and prizes. Advance registration required. The course is 30 minutes from the Crowne Plaza. Golfers are encouraged to carpool to the course. Upon registration, golfers will be contacted by the golf outing coordinator for additional information including handicap and carpool options.

3 to 6 p.m.
Homecoming West Registration
Crowne Plaza Lobby
Pick up your registration bag, nametag and passes to all events. Check the roster to see who has registered.

4 to 9 p.m.
Valpo Store
Crowne Plaza, Peacock Foyer
Pick up a Valpo hat, T-shirt, or any one of the many items that will be available at the Valpo Store. The store also will be open at the tailgate and pep rally on the USD campus. Payments accepted by cash, check, or credit card.

4 to 5 p.m.
Welcome to Valpo Today
Crowne Plaza, Peacock 2
Stop in to see campus as it is today and take a photographic tour of the new union and football field. View schematics of the campus master plan and see what the future holds for VU. University personnel will answer questions.

5 to 6 p.m.
Kretzmann Society Reception
Crowne Plaza, Peacock 1
By invitation only.

6 to 8 p.m.
Welcome Reception
Crowne Plaza, Peacock 2
Enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres while visiting with fellow alumni, VU Guild members, parents and friends in a reception planned by the Homecoming West Committee. Meet Valpo’s new president, Mark Heckler. A trivia program with prizes will begin at 7 p.m. Cash bar available.

8 to 9 p.m.
VU’s Connection to Service Around the World
Crowne Plaza, Peacock 1
Meet Carmine Polito, associate professor of civil engineering and adviser to VU’s Engineers Without Borders. Polito describes the group’s three-year project to provide drinking and irrigation water to a drought-stricken village in Kenya. Learn how to get involved. Find out about Valpo’s link to service throughout the world through service-learning opportunities such as EWB.

9 p.m.
Late Night Social Gathering
Crowne Plaza, Lounge
Gather with friends in the hotel lounge. The gathering will feature a Hawaiian theme so pack your most festive attire. Prizes will be awarded

Saturday, Oct. 4th

9 to 10:30 a.m.
Breakfast With the President
Crowne Plaza, Peacock 1
Meet Mark Heckler, Valpo’s 18th president, who began his tenure on July 1. Enjoy breakfast and the opportunity to hear from VU’s new leader. The cost is $12 per person. Advance registration required.

10:30 to 11:15 a.m.
Alumni Choir Rehearsal I
Crowne Plaza, Peacock 1
Alumni and friends are invited to be a part of the Homecoming West Alumni Choir, serving at Sunday’s Worship Service. Please indicate on the registration form your voice preference. Please be sure to attend both rehearsals.

11:30 a.m.
Shuttle Service to the University of San Diego
Crowne Plaza, Peacock Terrace
A bus is available to take alumni to the USD campus for the noon tailgate and pep rally. The bus will transport alumni from the tailgate and pep rally to the football stadium and back to the Crowne Plaza following the game. Tickets are $10 each. Advance registration required.

Noon to 2 p.m.
Valpo Tailgate and Pep Rally
Hahn University Center, Sports Center West Lawn
Gather for pre-game festivities brought to you by the Homecoming West Spirit Squad and hear from Mark LaBarbera, director of athletics. Enjoy food, fun and fellowship, and pick up your brown and gold shaker for the game. Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for children 10 and under. Advance registration required.

Join the Homecoming West Spirit Squad -- Let us know on the attached registration form if you would like to be a part of the Homecoming West Spirit Squad. Lead the crowd in cheers at the pep rally and throughout the football game. Squad leaders should wear gold and be ready to lead cheers at 12:45 p.m.

2 p.m.
Football Game
University of San Diego, Torero Stadium
Cheer on the Crusaders as they battle the USD Toreros. Order your tickets on the attached form for a special group rate of $7 each.

7 p.m.
150th Anniversary Celebration Dinner
Crowne Plaza, Peacock 2
Be a part of Valpo history. Commemorate the 150th anniversary of your alma mater with an evening event including a historical display of university memorabilia, a performance by student musicians, and a keynote speaker. The cost is $45 per person. Advanced registration required. Southern California alumni and friends also will receive a separate invitation by mail but may register on the attached form.

Sunday, Oct. 5th

8:15 a.m.
Alumni Choir Rehearsal II
Crowne Plaza, Peacock 2
Alumni and friends are invited to be a part of the Homecoming West Alumni Choir, serving at Sunday’s Worship Service. Please indicate on the registration form your voice preference. Please be sure to attend both rehearsals.

9 a.m.
Breakfast With the Lutheran Deaconess Association – Sponsored by the VU Guild
Crowne Plaza, Peacock 1
Meet Lisa (Scherzer ’90) Polito, executive director of the Lutheran Deaconess Association. She previously served as the director of chaplaincy services for Good Shepherd Lutheran Home of the West. Learn about the LDA and the Center of Diaconal Ministry, located adjacent to the VU campus. Listen to, and ask questions of, two LDA students as they discuss their experiences with the program. The cost is $12 per person. Advanced registration required.

10:30 a.m.
Morning Worship
Crowne Plaza, Peacock 2
Join together for worship in the Lutheran tradition with Luke Bouman, VU director of church relations, officiating; music by the Homecoming West Alumni Choir.

Additional Information

Homecoming West Mums
Reserve your traditional Valpo mum for $7 each. Order on the attached registration form and pick it up at Homecoming West registration. Sponsored by the VU Guild.

2008 VUAA Christmas Ornament
Reserve your 2008 VUAA ornament celebrating VU’s sesquicentennial, for $15 each on the attached registration form. Pick it up at Homecoming West registration. Ornaments from previous years will be available for purchase at the Valpo Store.