Calling all Clarion Golden Eagles for a weekend of festivities, food and football at Homecoming 2023, which runs concurrently with the Autumn Leaf Festival.

Homecoming Weekend begins with the 5:30 p.m. Oct. 6 dedication of John S. Shropshire Hall. The former Egbert Hall has been fully renovated and refurbished as the PennWest Clarion Admissions Welcome Center. Featuring state-of-the-art furnishings and staffed by a full admissions team, John S. Shropshire Hall reflects its namesake’s belief that by keeping students in the center of all we do, we will end up in the right place.

Shropshire ’61, former dean of Admissions, devoted his life and work to serving students. The first Black dean at Clarion, Shropshire advocated for equality, but not just racial equality. He wanted all people to be equal, and he knew that education was essential in that quest. Students were at the forefront of every decision he made as dean.

The dedication will feature remarks by Jim Geiger, vice president of Advancement and Clarion campus administrator. A reception will follow with light hors d’oeuvres and beverages. All are welcome to the free event, but registration is required.

John Shropshire's daughter, Alicia (center, left), and widow, Jamie (center, right) stand with (from left) vice president for Advancement and Clarion campus administrator Jim Geiger, former Admissions counselor Isaac Leonard, retired associate
vice president for academic affairs Dr. Brenda Dede, and Council of Trustees representative Larry Pickett following
the trustees' approval of a resolution renaming Egbert hall for Shropshire.

 The Independence Health Systems/Clarion ­­­­Hospital Tournament of Leaves Parade and game day are Oct. 7. The day will begin with Eggs with Ernie from 10 a.m. to noon in the Hart Chapel parking lot. Gather with family and friends for breakfast bites with Golden Eagles mascot Ernie, along with family-friendly activities, information tables from various areas of campus, and more. Commemorative 2023 Homecoming pins will be available. The event is free.

Also free is a shuttle service from Hart Chapel to Memorial Stadium, where the Golden Eagles football team will go head-to-head with the Griffins of Seton Hill. The shuttle runs conti­­nuously from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Tournament of Leaves Parade gets underway at noon along Main Street. Don’t miss one of Clarion’s longest-standing traditions.

Pre-registration is required for the Eagle End Zone Alumni Party which starts at 1 p.m. at Memorial Stadium. Tickets are $25/person and include a ticket for the 2 p.m. game and endless appetizers and beverages through halftime. Register by Sept. 27 by clicking here.

The festivities will conclude with a Sunday Morning Worship Service at 10 a.m. Oct. 8 at Hart Chapel. Alumni, students, staff and guests are invited to attend this special morning fellowship. Guest preacher Rev. Michael Smi Robinson ‘82G will deliver the inspirational and transformative message, “A Purpose Driven Life!” He will offer a prayer and blessing for all attendees.

For information about any of the events, call the Alumni Office at 814-393-2572.

Local favorite Bob’s Sub will be open in its new location at 315 Main Street (former site of The Tavern) all three days of Homecoming Weekend. Bob’s Sub’s former location was destroyed by fire in April. Hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

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