It’s a great week to be a Spartan! As we reach the midpoint of UNC Greensboro’s fall semester, classes and campus organizations are in full swing, athletic teams are finishing up seasons, Homecoming festivities are drawing alumni back for reunions, and fall has tinted our campus with that unmistakable orange glow of October.
From the roar of Friday night’s Homecoming bonfire to that happenstance run-in with a friend on College Avenue between classes, this week is all about sharing experiences and your participation is essential. Here are a few tips to help you take advantage of the everyday moments and the longstanding traditions happening on campus this week.
Witness Everyday Greatness
A Week at the G, October 15– 22, is designated for students, faculty, and staff to take notice of the special moments happening around campus and share them. Snap a photo of an engaged professor in class, friends laughing over lunch at Moran Commons, a student studying in the sunshine, the flickering lights of a residence hall at night. These are the pieces of life that make UNCG unique.
Each day, submit your best shots to University Communications or tag them on social media with #AWeekattheG. You might see your photo on the Week at the G website, and the submitted photo judged to have the most impact will be featured on a billboard.
Fire Up the Homecoming Festivities
Homecoming festivities kick off on Friday, October 20 with UNCG’s long-standing tradition of building and lighting the bonfire at Kaplan Commons.
University crews spend all day preparing for this massive bonfire, made from 100 wooden pallets, 10 bales of pine straw, and 20 tons of sand all contained in a 50-foot steel ring branded for UNCG. Once the bonfire is lit, flames can reach as high as the rooftop of the Elliott University Center.
The Greensboro Fire Department is not only at the bonfire – they make sure the environmental conditions are right before the first ember is lit. Provided that wind and rain doesn’t threaten our bonfire, the event from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. on Friday will be open to the public with music, food, dancing – and a whole lot of Spartan Pride.
On Saturday afternoon from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., Kaplan Commons will once more be packed with Spartans for the Homecoming Block Party. Meet your 2023 Homecoming Royal Court and celebrate with alumni who return each year for the festivities. There’ll be food and drink and a DJ spinning tunes. It’s the perfect pre-party for the Men’s Soccer game that begins at 7:00 p.m.
Share your Spartan pride with homecoming digital swag created just for us and engage by tagging @uncg and #UNCGHome on all your posts.
Introduce Your Fam
Invite your family to join you for Homecoming festivities this weekend. Spartan Family Weekend, October 20-22, is the perfect time to give them a glimpse of your life on campus.
The athletic events and Homecoming celebrations are open to the public and designed to appeal to the families of our students, alumni and faculty. Parents will enjoy events like the Meet and Greet with UNCG administrators; there’s a Children’s Festival for little ones; and many campus organizations are hosting events for visiting families. See the full listing of ticketed and free events to make your weekend plans.
Wear Your Heart on Your Sleeve
You may have noticed that Blue and Gold Fridays are catching on, but this week UNCG will be taking our school colors to the next level. There’s no better time to show your Spartan pride than this week. Represent by wearing blue and gold to all homecoming events.
Get into the stands and support our athletic teams:
- Women’s Volleyball vs. Mercer on Friday at 6:00 p.m. and vs. Samford on Saturday at 5:00 p.m.
- Men’s Soccer vs. Mercer on Saturday at 7:00 p.m.
- Women’s Soccer vs. VMI on Sunday at 2:00 p.m.
Welcome alumni back to campus and don’t miss a chance to network with them. Don’t forget that you’re a Spartan for life! The connections that are made on this campus are the real reasons we celebrate. Be present and participate in all the moments – both public and personal – that make you a part of this great community.
Story by Becky Deakins, University Communications.
Photography by Sean Norona, University Communications.
Videography by Grant Gilliard, University Communications.
