Thousands of alumni will flood Syracuse University’s campus this weekend with Orange spirit.

Orange Central is a yearly homecoming and reunion celebration for SU alumni whose school spirit transcended graduation. While the weekend, which spans Thursday through Sunday, is a major occasion for alumni to return to campus, the celebration is open to the entire campus community. More than 50 programs are planned over the course of the weekend.

Pre-registration for Orange Central hit record numbers this year with more than 2,200 pre-registrants, said Kim Brown Infanti, who oversees communications for the Office of Alumni Engagement and the SU Alumni Association.

Brown Infanti attributes the bump in pre-registration to the recent hire of Cory Miller, executive director of events and affinity programs for the alumni association. Miller has emphasized social media and targeted engagement with alumni, she said.

“She really made alumni feel like this is their weekend to come back to campus,” Brown Infanti said.

New this year to Orange Central is a cheer section in the Dome. Everyone who purchased football tickets through the alumni office will be seated there and will likely try to rival the student section in energy and voice, Brown Infanti said. Alumni will also be provided with buttons that highlight who they are or what they participated in on campus. Among the buttons are: “WAER,” “Generation Orange,” “Cuse Kid” and “‘I married into this!’”

The yearly cookout has also been revamped in partnership with the Army ROTC program to be more family-friendly. ROTC will be sponsoring a fun zone including a corn hole toss, giant Jenga and a football toss. A DJ will also play music from the varying class years.

“It combines homecoming and reunion, so you get the homecoming student excitement with the excitement for many of our milestone classes,” Brown Infanti said.

The weekend will kick off with the 50th and 60th Reunion Welcome Party held at Chancellor Kent Syverud’s house. Other milestone class reunions include the Class of 1992 25th Reunion Celebration, the Class of 2007 10th Reunion Celebration and the Class of 2016 1st Reunion Celebration. Each reunion offers an opportunity for classes to reminisce over food and drinks.

A total of 12 special interest reunions — including reunions for University 100, SU Marching Band, Hendricks Chapel Choir and University Union — will be split between Friday and Saturday.

“We know that our alumni feel an affinity toward their classes and being, for example, in University 100 or being a Remembrance Scholar or being an Otto,” Brown Infanti said.

Brown Infanti said she encourages students to interact with alumni because it’s an opportunity to connect and learn from a person who has already been in the student’s position.

She highlighted the work of the Traditions Commission, a registered student organization that maintains SU’s traditions, in weaving together alumni and students. The Traditions Commission is responsible for planning the weekend’s student events.

Among the events are a trivia night and a new initiative called Dye and Donate, which was created in partnership with OttoTHON. Participants will be given items like pillow cases and bandannas to tie-dye and donate to a local children’s hospital, said Sarah Ross Cappella, associate director for the Office of Student Activities.

“It’s really about celebrating that sense of Orange pride and being a part of the same family,” Cappella said.

Published on October 4, 2017 at 11:00 pm

Contact Stacy: sfern100@syr.edu | @StacyFernandezB