SOUTHEAST CELEBRATION: NO PLACE LIKE HOME

At Southeast Missouri State University's homecoming this weekend, alumni and guests will be reminded there is no place like their old college home.

This year's celebration features a takeoff on the "Wizard of Oz" theme with "Southeast: There's No Place Like Home."

The homecoming parade will feature representatives of each graduating class from 1930 to 1995 walking in the "Parade of the Years." Seven large parade floats depicting each decade from the 1920s to the 1980s also will be in the parade.

Homecoming at Southeast typically is held at the end of October or the beginning of November. It was moved to the earlier date this year to bolster attendance, said student Lisa Weshinskey, who chairs the homecoming steering committee.

The festivities began Monday when students gathered in the University Center to watch "The Wizard of Oz."

Other events include a block party in Academic Square from 5 to 9 p.m. today, a downtown window-painting contest, the annual Man and Woman of the Year election and the Best of Def Comedy Jam at 7 p.m. Friday in Academic Auditorium.

The alumni and faculty merit award dinner will be at 7 p.m. Friday at the Show Me Center.

Southeast will present its Friend of the University Award at the Copper Dome breakfast at 7 a.m. Saturday at the Show Me Center.

The homecoming parade will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday at Capaha Park and proceed east on Broadway. The parade will feature community entries and marching bands from 19 area high schools as well as university groups and floats.

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., an international bazaar will be held in front of Houck Stadium.

Dr. Dieter Jedan, who chairs Southeast's foreign languages department, will sell bratwursts made with his great-great-grandmother's recipe.

Alpha Mu Gamma, the foreign languages honor society, and various international student organizations will offer food and crafts and will provide entertainment.

The College of Education and the psychology department will hold an open house to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Scully Building. The college and the psychology department are housed in the building.

The celebration will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Pictures and memorabilia from the opening of the building will be displayed. At noon, balloons will be released from the building's terrace, and birthday cake and punch will be served.

Also at noon, alumni and guests will gather for the All-Alumni Luncheon in the Show Me Center. Mark Hill, president of the National Alumni Council, will preside, and special recognition will be given to the 50-year class.

The Southeast Indians will battle Tennessee Tech in a key Ohio Valley Conference game at 2 p.m. at Houck Stadium. The Southeast vs. Tennessee Tech series is tied 2-2 after Southeast defeated the Golden Eagles 19-14 in Cookeville, Tenn., last season.

The 1936 Southeast basketball team, which won the school's first ever Missouri Intercollegiate Athletic Association basketball title, will be introduced and honored prior to the game.

At halftime, Southeast's Golden Eagles Marching Band will perform along with high school musicians in a mass band performance directed by Barry Bernhardt. Bands from Meridian, Malden, Marquand-Zion, Delta C-7, New Madrid County Central, Scott City and Sikeston high schools are scheduled to participate.

Also at halftime, the 1995 Man and Woman of the Year will be crowned.

On Saturday evening, various classes and organizations will sponsor open houses, parties and reunions, including a reunion of the 1936 basketball team.

Homecoming 1995 will draw to a close Sunday with a 10 a.m. worship service and brunch at the Baptist Student Center, 909 Normal Ave. The service will include a reunion performance of the Black Student Fellowship Mass Gospel Choir for members of the Minority Alumni Caucus.