Southeastern celebrates Homecoming
Press Release Date: 10-17-2011
Tailgate Alley drew large crowds for pre-game festivities.
DURANT, Okla. – The weather couldn't have been nicer as Southeastern Oklahoma State University welcomed home alumni and friends on a sun-splashed October 14-15 weekend for Homecoming 2011.
The Savage Storm put up 14 points in the second quarter, but couldn't overcome pre-season Great American Conference favorite Henderson State in a 30-14 loss.
Alumni flocked to the Tailgate Alley, located across the street from Paul Laird Field, for pre-game food and festivities.
Matt Jones and Heather Hartline were elected Homecoming King and Queen as President Minks congratulates them.
During halftime of the football game, Heather Hartline, senior biology major from Trenton, Texas (Leonard High School) was crowned Queen, and senior Matt Jones, communications major from Elk City, was named King.
The Homecoming Awards Banquet in the Visual and Performing Arts Center recognized Distinguished Alumni recipients Greg Armstrong ('80), the Honorable John Carey ('92), and Major General James E. Chambers ('75), along with Distinguished Former Faculty Dr. Don Collier and Dr. Don Ferguson.
The Benefactor Award was presented to the O.J. and Mary Christine Harvey Educational Foundation, which has provided $123,500 for scholarships since the Fall of 2007.
Joan Minks, left, and Southeastern president Larry Minks, far right, congratulate 2011 Distinguished Alumni Major General James Chambers, The Honorable John Carey, and Greg Armstrong.
The Heritage Award honored, posthumously, Kate Galt Zaneis, the ninth president of Southeastern. She served from 1935-37 and was recognized as the first female president of a public college or university in the nation.
The two-day celebration started with Friday's 25th annual Whang Bang Golf Classic. The Silver Anniversary edition of the Classic was held at Silverado Golf Course.
Southeastern baseball coach Mike Metheny's team won the event with a 20-under-par 51 to defend the title from the 2010 Classic. Team members were Norm Clayborn, Rusty Zumwalt, Paul Postier, Jack Park, Metheny and Casey Clayborn.
The Homecoming Parade highlighted Saturday morning's activities as it moved through downtown Durant featuring bands, floats and other walking and riding entries.
Among other Homecoming 2011 events were the Former Athletes' Breakfast, art exhibits, and numerous reunions.