UNM: There’s No Place Like Home—
And Homecoming 2006 confirmed it!

UNM alumni, faculty, staff, and students celebrated the university’s 81st homecoming, “There’s No Place Like Home!” October 2-7. Flying witches—good and bad—scarecrows, lions, tin men, flying monkeys, and gingham-dressed Dorothy characters—including Lobo Lucy—descended upon the UNM campus for a fun-filled week.

Student activities began on Monday, October 3 with the traditional chalk mural contest at UNM Bookstore.  Young Alumni kicked off alumni activities with a happy hour celebration at a local establishment. 

The annual appreciation lunch for alumni-faculty and alumni-staff was held in the Grand Ballroom of the Student Union Building.  Alumni Association President Roberto Ortega greeted more than 275 alumni at this event.  Over 15 UNM departments had decorated their doors and lobbies with flying monkeys, wicked witches, Oz definitions (whippersnapper, cataclysmic, etc.), and lots of poppies for the 5th annual Campus Decorating Contest.  The winners were announced at the lunch, with CEP/Special Programs repeating top honors for their rendition of Follow the Cherry Brick Road.  King and Queen candidates campaigned in the SUB lobby throughout the day as voting took place around campus.

The traditional Heritage Club Dinner was hosted Thursday evening at the Albuquerque Petroleum Club. The Heritage Club is an annual gathering of alumni who have been out of the University 50 or more years.  The Class of 1956 was greeted by President David Harris and inducted into this prestigious group.

Friday was one of the busiest days on campus with a variety of events scheduled for both students and alumni.  The Class of 1956 met for brunch at the Student Union Building and reminisced over shared memories, including pranks, sports events, and cherished faculty.  The students kicked into high gear with a pep rally and continuation of the annual Cherry/Silver Games at Johnson Fields, where members of the Homecoming Court were announced. Over 20 alumni reunions kicked off later in the afternoon and evening including the Alumni Reunions reception held in the SUB.  Alumni and students—dressed in various shades of green—followed the yellow brick road down to the ballroom for “A Night in the Emerald City Dance.”

The traditional All University Breakfast was packed as more than 180 alumni and guests gathered early Saturday morning to honor recipients of the Zia Awards and the Lobo Award presented by Mortar Board.  This year’s Zia Award recipients included Jane Shuler Gray, Janice Lucero, Dick Knipfing, Judy Nakamura, Tommy Roberts, and Marty Wilson.  The illustrious Lobo Award went to Jane Blumenfeld.  Alumni and fans showed their Lobo spirit by attending the annual Tailgate and Silent Auction (which raised over $11,000 for the UNM Alumni Association Scholarship fund and programs) before the UNM vs. Wyoming football game.  At halftime, a spectacular fireworks show provided the background for the coronations of Andrea Roussel and Dan Lewis as Homecoming Queen and King.  Despite a courageous battle on the field, the Lobos fell to the Wyoming Cowboys.