FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                    October 31, 2003

NUMEROUS ACTIVITIES PLANNED FOR NORTHWESTERN HOMECOMING

            Celebrating pride in America and the freedoms which we enjoy, Northwestern Oklahoma State University and the community of Alva will join thousands of alumni and other spectators during the annual homecoming celebration Nov. 13-15. The theme for this year's festivities is “Northwestern Rangers Riding Proud and Free.”

            The celebration begins on Thursday, Nov. 13, with the Miss Cinderella Pageant Talent Show at 7:30 p.m. in Herod Hall Auditorium. The 27 contestants vying for the title of Miss Cinderella will perform their talent acts as the 52nd annual competition begins. The reigning Miss Cinderella, Savannah White of Alva, now a freshman at Northwestern, will serve as emcee.

            Miss Cinderella will be crowned on Friday, Nov. 14, at the Miss Cinderella Pageant, which begins at 8 p.m. in Herod Hall Auditorium. The reigning Miss Oklahoma, Kelley Scott, will serve as mistress of ceremonies.

            Also on Friday, a four-man golf scramble is planned for 10 a.m., at the Alva Golf and Country Club. Reservations for the tournament can be made by calling (580) 327-2296. Entry fee is $30 per person.

            The campus will come alive at 10:45 a.m. with the sounds of “Ride, Rangers Ride” and cheers at the homecoming pep rally. The public is invited to the event which is held at the campus fountain.

            Saturday's events will run literally from dawn to dusk beginning with the Ranger Run, a 5-kilometer event, which will begin on the downtown square at 8 a.m. A one-mile fun run also is scheduled. Registration is available by calling (580) 327-8105.

            Other downtown attractions begin at 9 a.m., with food booths, games and other activities. Admirers of classic cars and tractors will enjoy the Antique Car and Tractor Show. The vehicles will be on display for most of the day.

            The Northwestern Alumni Association will sponsor a reception for James Bradley, who will serve as this year's honorary parade marshal. The reception begins at 9 a.m. in the alumni tent on the north side of the square.

One of the largest parades in Oklahoma begins downtown at 10 a.m., with bands, floats,

Miss Cinderella contestants, Northwestern homecoming royalty, dignitaries, Shriners and

horses. After the parade, selected bands will perform mini-concerts on the downtown square, followed by parade awards.

            At noon, members of the university's Presidential Partners program and the general public are invited to a Presidential Partners luncheon at noon in the alumni tent. Tickets are $5 each, although some Presidential Partners will receive complimentary tickets. Lunch will be prepared by the Rowdy Rangers athletic booster organization.

Beginning at 1 p.m. graduates of Northwestern’s mass communications program will reunite at 1 p.m. in the Student Center.

Also at 1 p.m., the Alumni Band will have a rehearsal in the Fine Arts Building, Room 310.

            The pinnacle event of Homecoming--the football game--will kickoff at 3 p.m. The nationally-ranked Northwestern Rangers will meet intrastate rival Bacone College on Ranger Field. The game has national and conference implications for both teams, with the winner likely claiming the Central States Football League crown.

            The football game also will feature the halftime performance of The Spirit of Northwestern Oklahoma, the university's marching band, performances by the Alumni Band and coronation of the 2003 Ranger Queen.         

The only evening event is a dance at the Alva Elks Lodge beginning at 9 p.m. Tickets

are $8 for individuals or $15 for couples.

            Homecoming buttons, good for admission to the Miss Cinderella Pageant events and the football game are available for $10 by calling (580) 327-8593. Separate admission to these events is $18 for adults.

-NW-

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