Brescia University’s 2016 Alumni Homecoming week kicks off today, Monday, October 24th on campus with a host of activities for students, alumni and staff as they celebrated the rich tradition and return of treasured alumni.
The theme this year is “Barney 2016,” following in the footprint of the current political season. Barney, Brescia University’s Bearcat mascot, has been able to use his “campaign platform” to share his and the University’s desire to serve students who seek success through education and service to others.
He and the University are making a difference in the lives of our students, our community, our country, and our world by providing opportunity to those who might otherwise have none, being a voice for the voiceless, meeting the educational signs of the times, and providing an overall transformation educational experience.
Barney, along with his friends in the Brescia community, are using 2016 to mark the coming together of community members, alumni, faculty, staff and students to make a difference. They will celebrate the success of the students, alumni, faculty and staff, and Brescia University’s community partners. They will use the education that Brescia University has offered so many and to change the world. And you’re invited to join Brescia University for what promises to be one of their most exciting years.
As a part of that celebration, Brescia will honor three Distinguished Alumni at the annual banquet Friday, October 28th at 7:00 pm at the RiverPark Center. Since the inception of this prestigious recognition, Brescia has awarded more than 50 alumni with the title.
The award was created to honor graduates who exemplify the elements that encompass The Brescia Difference: Respect for the Sacred, Devotion to Learning, Commitment to Growth in Virtue, and Promotion of Servant Leadership.
Because of the breadth and scope of their life’s work, the magnitude of their impact on the regional, national and often international scene, and their examples of service and leadership, alumni who receive this esteemed honor have distinguished themselves among their peers.
The 2016 Distinguished Alumni are Richard E. Brown ‘72, Jamie Buskill ’86, and Sister Mary Matthias Ward, OSU ‘66.
Richard E. Brown, a 1972 alumnus, was appointed by the governor to the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights Board of Commissioners in 2001, where he served five years. He has served on the Daviess County Foundation Board, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the Owensboro Career Development Association Inc. Throughout his life, Richard has been a long-time activists for civil and human rights in Owensboro, helping to enact various changes and accomplishments for the rights of minorities in the state of Kentucky.
Jamie Buskill, a 1986 alumnus, is a current member of the Brescia University Board of Trustees and serves as Senior Vice President/Chief Financial and Administrative Officer for Boardwalk Pipeline Partners since its inception in 2005 and served in the same capacity for its predecessor. Jamie has also held various management roles with Texas Gas since 1986, is a member of the Southern Gas Association Accounting and Finance Committee and serves on the board of various charitable organizations.
Sister Mary Matthias Ward, a 1966 alumnus, served as the Director of the Sacred Heart Retreat & Conference Center in Gallup, N.M. from 2003 to 2009. She has ministered as a teacher and principal, a director at three retreat centers, as a parish administrator and Newman center director and for eight years, the congregational leader of the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph.
Brescia University will also welcome back alumni, Pat Yates ’90, for the “Return to the Arch” Alumni Speaker Series on Thursday, October 27th at 7 pm in Taylor Lecture Hall. Pat is the President and Owner of Happy Feet, a company that makes slippers that often feature sports teams’ logos, television and movie characters and other recognizable designs. Pat has been featured on ABC’s Shark Tank and Happy Feet have made appearances several television shows including Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Late Show with David Letterman, The Wendy Williams Show, Good Morning America and The Today Show.
Various other homecoming activities will be held throughout the weekend to celebrate the tradition of Brescia:
Thursday, October 27th
7:00 PM “Return to the Arch” Alumni Speaker Series featuring Pat Yates ’90 – Taylor Lecture Hall
Friday, October 28th
6:00 PM Distinguished Alumni Cocktail Hour – RiverPark Center
7:00 PM Distinguished Alumni Banquet – RiverPark Center (Advance tickets required, $40.)
Saturday, October 29th
10:00 AM Chariot Races Tailgating – Brescia University Alumni Hall (7th street)
11:00 AM Chariot Races (Crowning of the Homecoming Court immediately following the race)
12:00 PM Lunch at the newly renovated O’Bryan’s Dining Hall (Alumni Association Annual Meeting will be held at 12:30 pm during lunch)
1:00 PM Women’s Soccer vs. Ohio Christian University (at Kamuf Park)
3:00 PM Men’s Soccer vs. Ohio Christian University (at Kamuf Park)
9:00 PM Student Homecoming Dance
Sunday, October 30th
10:00 AM Mass at Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel
11:00 AM Alumni Brunch in the Moore Center, currently under construction to be completed in May, 2017
For more information regarding Homecoming festivities or to register for events, visit www.brescia.edu/homecoming or contact Alexxis Ross-Logan at 270-686-2101 or [email protected].