LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ -- Rider University alumni will have the opportunity to celebrate their alma mater with a variety of activities planned for the annual Homecoming Weekend on the Lawrenceville campus Friday and Saturday, October 11-12.

This year's theme, "Generations of Change...Years of Tradition," is emphasized with a number of alumni reunions, including a dinner for the Classes of 1931, 1936, 1941, and 1946 at the home of President and Mrs. J. Barton Luedeke to open the festivities at 5 p.m. Friday evening. Also scheduled for Friday is a Phi Sigma Nu reception dinner at 5 p.m. in the Student Center Fireside Lounge and a reunion for the Class of 1991 in the Student Center Pub at 9 p.m.

Saturday's full slate is highlighted by the Homecoming King and Queen competition at noon in the Student Center Theatre. The day will also feature a variety of receptions, including: the Department of Communications new technological center open house from 2 to 4 p.m.; the College of Education and Human Services alumni reception from 3 to 4 p.m. in Memorial Hall; and the Study Abroad program's 25th Anniversary Reunion from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Van Cleve Alumni House. Reunions for the Classes of 1986 and 1971 will be held at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. respectively at the President's home. Several alumni athletic gatherings and events, including a football team reunion, as well as regularly-scheduled intercollegiate games will also be held.

In addition to the alumni events, guided tours of the Lawrenceville, Westminster, and old Trenton campuses will be offered and will begin at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. in front of the Student Center.

The evening features the 5 p.m. dedication of the University Walk and Campus Walk, which were projects initiated by a gift from the Class of 1994. The University Walk is a path from the front entrance to the flagpole comprised of bricks which are individually etched with the names of donors to the project. The Campus Walk is a similar path which runs from the Student Center to Memorial Hall.

The grand finale to the festivities will be the New Orleans Mardi Gras Dinner Celebration in the Student Center Cavalla Room. The informal dinner will consist of authentic Cajun and non-Cajun delicacies which can be enjoyed while listening to jazz entertainment.

"If the alumni only come back for Homecoming, then we want to try to get them to come back for more events during the year and to volunteer and become involved with the University," said Natalie Pollard, Assistant Director of Alumni Relations. "We also want to get input from them at Homecoming, so we can find out what we can do for them as far as alumni programs and social events."

For more information on Homecoming, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at (609) 896-5340.

Rider University's Lawrenceville campus is located five miles south of Princeton and three miles north of Trenton on Route 206 in Lawrence Township. The campus is one-half mile south of exit 7A of Interstate 95.