MITCHELL, S.D. — A full slate of activities is slated for Dakota Wesleyan University’s Blue and White Days homecoming week to be held Sept. 11-17.
On Monday, Sept. 11, the annual coronation of homecoming Royals and Beanies will be held. The ceremony will be in the Sherman Center beginning at 7 p.m. Following the ceremony will be the traditional burning of the “W” in the circle in front of the Christen Family Activities Center.
On Thursday, Sept. 14, the Legacy Banquet will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the Sherman Center honoring donors and distinguished alumni. Cost is $30 per person. Advance registration is required.
Friday, Sept. 15 will include several activities including the Opperman Lecture at 10 a.m. in the Tiger Café inside the McGovern Library. This year’s speaker is alumna Dr. Riley Osthus, a member of the 2018 National NAIA championship women’s basketball team. At 4 p.m. a reception will be held in the School of Business, Innovation and Leadership honoring 40 years of Randall Scholars. Preregistration is required. A Decades reunion will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the same facility. Honored classes this year are 1963, 1973 and 1983. Cost is $20 per person. Preregistration is appreciated. Athletic fans can attend a Women’s Volleyball match at 7:30 p.m. in the Christen Family Activities Center. Admission is $10 for adults, $3 for youth and are available at dwuathletics.com/ticketing.
On Saturday, Sept. 16, the Blue and White Days parade will be held on Mitchell’s Main Street. This year’s theme is “Back to the Future: Flashback 80s.” Any group or organization is welcome to enter. Sign up at dwu.edu/parade. Alumni are welcome to view the parade as a group. Join them at 9:30 a.m. in the CorTrust parking lot on Main Street. Preregistration is required.
The annual Tiger Tailgate event is at a new location this year. All are welcome to attend this family-friendly event in the park on the corner of 11th Avenue and Capital Street, kitty-cornered from Kernel Stadium. The Fresh Ideas food truck will have food and drink available for purchase. Free games and inflatables will be set up.
At 2 p.m. the Tiger Football team will kick off the Homecoming game against Midland University. Tickets are $10 for adults, $3 for youth or non-GPAC students and are available in advance at dwuathletics.com/ticketing. (Please note that Mitchell High School will be hosting several events at Kernel Stadium both before and after the DWU-Midland game. Plan to arrive early to find parking.)
The day ends with the annual DWU Athletic Hall of Fame banquet inducting new members and honoring those past. Registration is required. Call the Athletics office at (605) 995-2112 to register.
On Sunday all are welcome to church services at either the Fusion contemporary worship service, at 10 a.m., in the DWU Sherman Center or the Downtown First United Methodist worship service at 10 a.m. at 310 N. Rowley St.