Sun shines on EOU Homecoming & Oktoberfest celebration

Click here to view the 2006 Homecoming & Oktoberfest photo album
LA GRANDE, Oregon – Despite the chilly weather, spirits were high during Eastern Oregon University’s Homecoming and Oktoberfest celebration this year.

“Many thanks go out to all alumni and friends who helped make Homecoming a huge success,” said Mary Jo Lemon, president of the EOU Alumni Association. “Our goal for Homecoming is to make it bigger and better each year, and with the help of students, alumni, community and friends of EOU, we are doing just that.”

Sunshine broke through the clouds just in time for the start of the weekend events on Friday, Oct. 20. The Mountaineer Booster Club Scholarship Golf Scramble Friday morning helped raise dollars for scholarships for EOU student athletes. The event was sponsored by Les Schwab of La Grande and was held at Buffalo Peak Golf Course in Union.

More than 35 former resident assistants and hall directors also met on campus Friday morning for a reunion. They jumped at the chance to tour the new residence halls and reminisce with Mike Daugherty, past EOU director of Residence Life. North and South Halls, Alikut and Hunt halls were included in the tour.

Booths set up outside in the quad on Friday afternoon showcased campus and community offerings while musician Eric E. performed classic rock and roll tunes on stage. Henna tattoos, a beer garden, community barbecue and pumpkins galore added to the festive harvest atmosphere.

Later Friday evening, alumni were recognized at the 2006 EOU Alumni Honors Ceremony in McKenzie Theatre. A reception beforehand provided a chance for award recipients, Hall of Fame inductees and their friends and family members to visit. Nearly 30 members of one family attended the ceremony in recognition of the late Elvin Daggett, running back for EOU in 1955-56, whose name will be added to the Mountaineer Athletic Hall of Fame wall.

The 2006 Distinguished Alumni Award was presented to Mel Holmes, ’61, in recognition of his prestigious career as a Navy and commercial pilot and as an instructor of air-to-air combat at Top Gun.

Saturday morning, Oct. 21, found many student and community groups preparing for the annual Homecoming parade through downtown La Grande. Floats included the EOU Navigators Club, Chemistry Club, OHSU School of Nursing, EOU Alumni Association and more.

After the parade everyone headed to Community Stadium where the Oktoberfest booths and beer garden reopened in preparation for the Mountaineer’s Homecoming football game against Montana Tech. Although EOU made the first touchdown, they suffered a 15-12 loss to the Orediggers. Fans still had something to celebrate as they gathered after the game in the Hoke Main Lounge during fifth-quarter, marking the end of another Homecoming weekend at EOU.

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