“You’re So Golden”: USM Readies for 2022 Homecoming

Tue, 10/11/2022 - 04:13pm | By: From Southern Miss Alumni Association

Members of The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) 2022 Homecoming Court includes, from left to right: standing, Kaela Barnicle, Student Body Maid of Foley, Alabama; sitting, Gigi Rivera, Miss Southern Miss of Orlando, Florida; standing, Emmanuel Carney, Student Body Beau, Ripley, Tennessee; sitting, James Jefferson III, Mr. Southern Miss | Baton Rouge, Louisiana; standing, Laila Peters, Junior Maid, Hattiesburg, Mississippi; standing, Mar’Ques McCray, Junior Beau, Heidelberg, Mississippi; sitting Kyrstin Maddox, Homecoming Queen, Mobile, Alabama; sitting, Kenny Ellzey |Homecoming King | McComb, Mississippi; standing, Carrington Brown, Senior Maid, Hattiesburg, Mississippi; standing, Keedrick Palmer, Senior Beau, Jackson, Mississippi; sitting, Megan McDuffie, Gulf Park Maid, Knoxville, Tennessee; sitting, Cameron Hodge, Gulf Park Beau, Lake, Mississippi; standing, Taylor Adair, Sophomore Maid, Aberdeen, Mississippi; standing behind chair, Dylan Little, Sophomore Beau, Picayune, Mississippi; sitting, Zoe Scruggs-Gore, Graduate Maid, Hattiesburg, Mississippi; sitting, Sean Smith, Graduate Beau, Biloxi, Mississippi; standing behind chair, Oliver Young III, Freshman Beau, Biloxi, Mississippi; and standing behind chair, Mary Morgan Wert, Freshman Maid , Jackson, Mississippi.

A golden opportunity awaits students, faculty, staff, and alumni and friends of The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) to celebrate their beloved school during homecoming week 2022 through Oct. 15.

Incorporating the theme “You’re So Golden,” USM homecoming week activities include organizational reunions, pep rallies, musical performances, tailgating, induction of the Southern Miss Alumni Association’s 2022 Hall of Fame class, a parade featuring the Pride of Mississippi Marching Band, and introduction of the homecoming court at USM’s Oct. 15 football game with Sun Belt Conference rival Arkansas State University highlight the week’s events.

Keesler Federal Credit Union is serving as Southern Miss Alumni Association 2022 Homecoming sponsor.

“With the excitement of joining the Sun Belt Conference, there is no doubt that Homecoming 2022 will be memorable for Golden Eagle fans everywhere,” said Jerry DeFatta, executive director of the Southern Miss Alumni Association. “Homecoming is always an exciting time on campus as it provides us with an opportunity to reconnect with fellow alumni and recognize former students who have played a vital role in the life of the University."

A listing of some of the week’s homecoming activities on the Hattiesburg campus includes the following:

Thursday, Oct. 13

*National Pan-Hellenic Step Show, 7:30 p.m., Lake Terrace Convention Center

Friday, Oct. 14

*Go GOLD Friday - Alumni and fans are invited to share photos of their Go GOLD Friday participation across social media using #GoGoldFriday.

*24th Annual Alumni Golf Tournament - Hattiesburg Country Club, 8:30 a.m. Shotgun Start, hosted by the Southern Miss Alumni Association; registration is closed, but players and teams may be added to a wait-list by contacting Kristopher.ReiterFREEMississippi.

*Trail of Traditions | Legacy Campus Tour - 2 p.m., Trent Lott Center

*Research Symposium: 52 Years of Polymer Science and Engineering - Thames Polymer Science Research Center

*Friday Night @ Spirit Park 6:30 p.m., Southern Station - The Homecoming edition of Friday Night @ Spirit Park is sponsored by Keesler Federal Credit Union and Visit Hattiesburg.

*Alumni Hall of Fame Banquet, 6:30 p.m., Thad Cochran Center Ballrooms -
Tickets are $50 per person and must be purchased in advance.

Saturday, Oct. 15

*Alumni Association Annual Meeting, 10:30 a.m., Thad Cochran Center - Each year at Homecoming, the Southern Miss Alumni Association recognizes outstanding alumni for their service to our alma mater and conducts the annual business of the Alumni Association. Active members are invited to join us for the Annual Meeting. Tickets are $20 per person, and children 12 and under receive complimentary admission.

*Dixie Darling Exhibit - McCain Library, 10:30 a.m.

*Homecoming Parade - Hattiesburg Campus, 1 p.m.

*Spirit Park Live featuring Adam Doleac - 3 p.m., Spirit Park

*Honors College Homecoming Tailgate - 2 p.m., Spirit Park

*Kappa Delta Alumnae and Parent Tailgate - 3 p.m., Spirit Park

*Chi Omega Alumnae Tailgate - 3 p.m., Spirit Park

*Phi Mu Alumnae Tailgate - 3 p.m., Phi Mu House

*Delta Gamma 50th Anniversary Weekend

*Southern Miss College of Business & Economic Development Tailgate - 3 p.m., Scianna Hall Courtyard

*Polymer Student Association Tailgate for Alumni and Friends

*Pregame at Southern Station, 3:30 p.m. Southern Station, Spirit Park - The Homecoming edition of Pregame at Southern Station is sponsored by Keesler Federal Credit Union and The Real Estate Center.  

*USM vs. Arkansas State football game -   6 p.m., M.M. Roberts Stadium “The Rock”

For more information about USM 2022 Homecoming, email alumniFREEMississippi.