University News
For the thousands of Chargers who took part in Homecoming Weekend, the celebration was a fun and meaningful way to reconnect with their fellow members of Charger Nation and to see firsthand the exciting changes taking place on campus.
October 12, 2021
Christina Genovese Ӱԭ20 was excited to return to the University of New Haven for her first Homecoming as an alumna. Her Charger Pride was on full display Ӱԭ first as she took part in the UniversityӰԭs Centennial Commencement for the Class of 2020, and then as she enjoyed the UniversityӰԭs Homecoming: #TheBlueout festivities that followed the ceremony.
Genovese, who was president of the Class of 2020 and a writer and community engagement editor for , the UniversityӰԭs award-winning student-run newspaper, had been looking forward to reconnecting with her fellow Chargers.
ӰԭItӰԭs great to have current students and alumni back on campus,Ӱԭ said Genovese, who is pursuing her masterӰԭs degree in counseling education at . ӰԭItӰԭs nice to be with everyone, to see faculty, staff, and students Ӱԭ many of whom I havenӰԭt seen since March 2020. It feels good to be back.Ӱԭ
Genovese was among the thousands of members of the University community who visited the campus as part of Homecoming. The weekend-long celebration included a variety of events that enabled alumni to reconnect with each other and to learn more about the important work taking place at the University.
ӰԭI think of Homecoming as a great opportunity to return to the University to see what has changed, to be with my alumni friends, and to connect with current students,Ӱԭ said Dawn Alderman '99, '03 M.S., president of the UniversityӰԭs Alumni Board of Directors. ӰԭI was really impressed with the turnout. ItӰԭs important to feel like weӰԭre all part of the University community. Kudos to the University for keeping everyone safe while holding Homecoming in-person.Ӱԭ
Homecoming also provides an opportunity for alumni to explore the UniversityӰԭs always-evolving and ever-developing campus. As part of the dayӰԭs events, the University marked the next step in its growth with the groundbreaking of the . The facility is named in recognition of David Peterson Jr. Ӱԭ88, Ӱԭ17 Hon., a member of the UniversityӰԭs Board of Governors and a former defensive end on the UniversityӰԭs football team. Peterson, his wife Karen, and their family took part in the ceremony.
The 31,000 square foot facility will be built at North Campus, and it is part of the UniversityӰԭs goal to transition its athletics program to Division I. Derrick Rowland Ӱԭ22 MBA, a member of the Chargers , spoke as part of the ceremony, saying he was excited to be a part of the celebration.
ӰԭIt was pretty remarkable to be a part of the groundbreaking,Ӱԭ he said. ӰԭThis new building Ӱԭ and all the changes taking place at the University Ӱԭ is exciting. ItӰԭs important to be part of the culture and the atmosphere at Homecoming. ItӰԭs nice to see everyone come together, and traditions like Homecoming that bring everyone together are so important.Ӱԭ
Athletics was one of the many highlights of Homecoming, as the University community was charged up to watch the Chargers football team face Saint Anselm on the gridiron. The Chargers triumphed 56-7. Later that night, field hockey posted a 2-0 win over Southern New Hampshire.
For Robert McDonald Ӱԭ86, Ӱԭ95 M.S., one of the best parts about attending Homecoming is being part of it as both a graduate of the University and as a professor.
ӰԭHomecoming is a terrific reminder of all that goes on at the University, and itӰԭs important for everyone to see it,Ӱԭ he said. ӰԭItӰԭs also good to reconnect with everyone. I enjoy interacting with students Ӱԭ seeing them in class and now here. ItӰԭs good for them to see faculty engagement.Ӱԭ
Homecoming offered a variety of opportunities for engagement throughout the weekend. In addition to connecting at the alumni tailgate party, Chargers toured the campus and attended open houses at the Myatt Center for Diversity and Inclusion and at , the UniversityӰԭs award-winning radio station.
For Mike Ambrose Ӱԭ84, Ӱԭ19 Hon., vice chair of the UniversityӰԭs Board of Governors, it is important to him to show his involvement and commitment to the University. He called Homecoming a Ӱԭwonderful event,Ӱԭ and he hopes it enabled students to connect with alumni and share their experiences as Chargers.
ӰԭThe University was a blessing for us, and we took what we learned into our lives,Ӱԭ said Ambrose, a standout member of the Chargers track and field team. ӰԭItӰԭs important to show students what their future could look like, and this was a good opportunity to connect. ItӰԭs great to celebrate together Ӱԭ especially after not being around people for so long Ӱԭ with lots of good people who love being a part of the University.Ӱԭ
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