True Blue Nation Turns Out for Homecoming 2012
The University of Tulsa Alumni Association welcomed a record number of alumni, friends, students, faculty, staff and family members to campus over Homecoming weekend, held October 18-21.
The University family kicked off the weekend by honoring the 2012 Distinguished Alumni with a reception at the Lorton Performance Center. Those honored as Distinguished Alumni included Roger Jarvis (BS ’76); Sharon Bell 
(JD ’85); Jake Jorishie (BS ’71, BA ’09) and Chet Cadieux (BS ’89). For more on Distinguished Alumni, click here. John William “Bill” Hinkle (BS ’69) was honored as the 2012 J. Paschal Twyman Award recipient for outstanding contributions to the University and Tommy Hudspeth (BS ’53), assistant director of development for Athletics , was honored as Mr. Homecoming 2012, which recognizes a TU employee who has exhibited outstanding service to the University and to the community.
On Friday evening, thousands of alumni, students, parents and friends gathered on Dietler Commons (formerly known as “The U”) for the annual Pep Rally and Bonfire, which included Captain Cane, the TU Marching Band and a fireworks show. Afterwards, over 1,500 alumni and friends headed to TU on Tap at Oktoberfest on the West Bank of the Arkansas River to enjoy the chicken dance and reunite with old friends.
The next morning, members of the class of 1962 were welcomed into the Gold Medallion Society at a brunch held on campus. Baseball Alumni also celebrated at a brunch at the Tulsa Country Club. Saturday afternoon brought blue skies and perfect tailgating weather for the Official Homecoming Tent Party on Chapman Commons, where those in attendance enjoyed lunch, live music, and inflatables for the kids. A heart-pounding, down-to-the-wire 28-24 victory over the Rice Owls rounded out a terrific TU Homecoming weekend.
Many other events were held over the weekend. Organizations and groups hosting reunions during Homecoming included Art Alumni, the Class of 1992, Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, Sigma Nu fraternity, Kappa Alpha fraternity, Kappa Sigma fraternity, Kappa Delta sorority, Spirit Squad, Baseball Alumni, and Golf Alumni.
The weekend’s events were led by Homecoming Chair, James Maddux (BS ’93) and an energetic, devoted committee of volunteers comprised of alumni, staff, faculty and friends. The Alumni Association is grateful for their support and work to make Homecoming such an exciting event, year after year.
Click here to view photos from Homecoming 2012. More photos coming soon.
Thanks to the support of presenting sponsors BancFirst and Cox, Homecoming 2012 was a memorable weekend for all those in attendance. Other sponsors included The Campbell Hotel & Event Center, Capp's BBQ, Courtyard by Marriott – Tulsa Downtown, EDGE Sight and Sound, Full Moon Café on 15th Street, Genghis Grill, Golden Hurricane Sports Properties, Holiday Inn City Center, Lamar Advertising, The Mayo Hotel, Moody’s Jewelry, Osage Casino, Papa John's, Qdoba Mexican Grill, River Parks Authority, Tulsa Federal Credit Union, Tulsa Oktoberfest, the TU Future Alumni Council and the TU Student Association.
We look forward to welcoming you back home for Homecoming Weekend 2013! The official date for Homecoming will be announced in late spring of 2013. If you are interested in hosting or planning a reunion for Homecoming 2013 or wish to join the Homecoming Committee, please contact Amy Dodson at amy-dodson@utulsa.edu or call 918-631-3724.