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Homecoming 2019 — A Wild Ride

Dogs…carnival rides…dogs…ribbon cutting ceremonies…dogs…Alumni Awards…did we mention dogs? All that means Homecoming season at UMBC!

So grab your pumpkin spiced latte and a nice warm blanket as we dive into the events that make October such a fun month for current, past, and future Retrievers. Since we promised you dogs, we’ll start off with the evergreen puppy parade! 

True grit pets dog two dogs in sumo costume with prize Officer Cheatum and Chip at puppy parade

woman holds costumed dog on decorated stroller Line of people walking dogs in costume

Homecoming is the obvious place for different graduating classes to meet up, but it’s so much more special when that fellow Retriever is your relative! We also love the dedication future Retrievers have years before they even apply.

At UMBC, Homecoming isn’t confined to one weekend, we celebrate the festivities with as many events as possible, including our 31st annual Alumni Award ceremony, complete with the Surgeon General, Jerome Adams ’97, M4, biochemistry & molecular biology and psychology,  lifting his daughter onto the stage in this magical photo.

Another special guest on campus meant that students and alumni spent an evening with Trevor Noah, who brought his usual wit along with a more serious side to talk about about his personal narrative and give advice on how students can best tackle college before taking their next steps.

And some more good dogs and other animals, because we know why you’re really here.


camel at the alumni tent carnival turtle at petting zoo

The carnival rides Retrievers have come to love and expect took up most of Erickson field, and nearby, alumni-owned businesses set up their wares.

Alumnae smile at Co create table UMBC Alumni Tent 3 pillars co with two woman sitting at table

Other notable events we celebrated as a community included the ribbon cutting for the new Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Building, attended by a few familiar faces. After the DNA double helix was cut, people gathered to listen to Grit-X, three engaging talks by some of UMBC’s brightest minds.

The alumni community gathered across campus to reconnect and make new memories. A small collection of photos below showcase the spirit filled days of UMBC Homecoming. See a more comprehensive look at all the events here.

People smiling at the 2019 crab feast people enjoying the 2019 crab feast people smile at crab feast

 

UMBC marching band with follow us to the game banner UMBC basketball scrimmage True Grit conducts band at soccer game

And to close it out, the annual bonfire lit up the night. Rendered here by UMBC’s Commonvision.

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All photos by Marlayna Demond ’11 and Arionna Gonsalves ’19.

Posted: October 18, 2019, 8:20 PM