Tyler Junior College is preparing to celebrate Homecoming Week 2018.
“We have so much to celebrate,” said TJC Chancellor Dr. Mike Metke. “TJC has been the College of East Texas for 92 years, our enrollment is as strong as it’s ever been, and we hope our faithful alumni – as well as our many, valued friends in the community – will come and help us celebrate another great year in the history of our college.”
With this year’s theme, “Share Your Story,” TJC students and alumni have been asked to tell their favorite memories of their time at TJC and how their life was impacted, whether it was meeting their spouse or lifelong friends or a favorite professor or college memory.
Monday, Sept. 24
Beginning at 11:45 a.m. Monday, Sept. 24, TJC Homecoming Week officially begins with the traditional drumbeat ceremony on the front steps of Rogers Student Center on the TJC main campus.
The Apache Punch drumline and feature twirlers will perform and TJC Chancellor Dr. Mike Metke will lead the countdown to the drumbeat, which starts at noon.
As they have since 1948, TJC students, employees and alumni volunteer their time to keep the drum beating 24 hours a day, all week long, until kickoff of Saturday’s homecoming football game.
Thursday, Sept. 27
At 5:15 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 27, the Apache Nation homecoming parade will begin at Rogers Nursing & Health Sciences Center, then proceed along Fifth Street in front of campus, and wind up at Pat Hartley Field, located at the corner of Fifth and Palmer Avenue.
At 6 p.m., the homecoming pep rally and block party will be held at Pat Hartley Field. The TJC Apache Band, Apache Belles and TJC Cheer will perform, and the Apache football team and 2018 homecoming court will be introduced.
Admission is free, and the public is invited to attend.
Friday, Sept. 28
The TJC Alumni Association will honor its 2018 Homecoming Alumni Awards recipients at an event set 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 28, in the Apache Rooms, located in Rogers Student Center on the TJC main campus. Registration is required.
This year’s honorees include:
• TJC 1960 National Championship Football Team -- Special Recognition Award
• Wanda Ealey ’74 -- Apache Spirit Award
• Dr. Henry Musoma ’98 -- Valuable Young Alumnus Award
• Shea Whigham ’89 -- Acclaimed Career Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Performing Arts
• Robert M. Rogers (1926-1997) -- Black and Gold Award (Special Posthumous Recognition)
Saturday, Sept. 29
The TJC Alumni Association will host its annual Homecoming Tailgate Party will be held 4-6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, at True Vine Pavilion on Earl Campbell Parkway. Registration is required.
At 6 p.m., the Apache Band, Apache Belles and their alumni will take their traditional Rim Walk into the Christus Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium, followed by pregame activities and crowning of this year’s Homecoming King and Queen.
The Apaches kick off at 7 p.m. against the New Mexico Military Institute Broncos. Admission is $3 for general admission, $5 for reserved, and free with a valid TJC ID or TJC Alumni Association lifetime membership.
For the full list of events – or to rsvp to alumni events – go to www.tjc.edu/homecoming.