(PHOENIX, Ariz., Sept. 27, 2004) - Beginning Tuesday, Oct. 19, the Phoenix College community will celebrate Homecoming JamBEARee: A Blue and Gold Rush. This spectacular, week-long event will feature a number of activities ranging from the annual Alumni Association History Makers Hall of Fame event to a western showcase entitled, An Arizona Western Experience.

"We've pulled out the stops this year to bring more of our alumni back to campus and keep them involved with their alma mater," said Alumni Director Frank Luna.

The week will conclude with a Homecoming football game against Pima Community College.

"Everyone enjoyed the new Homecoming Week activities last year," added Kelly Loucy, Student Life and Leadership Director, "so we want to keep renewing old PC traditions while creating new ones for today's students."

Homecoming JamBEARee Week: A Blue and Gold Rush activities include:

Tuesday, Oct. 19
Bear Claws & Coffee
8 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Bear Claws & Coffee is a morning social for new Phoenix College employees and retirees.

Campus-Wide Decorating Contest
All-day

Departments across campus decorate to compete in individual categories such as Best Use of Blue and Gold and the all-around prize of Best Overall Depiction of JamBEARee Homecoming Spirit.

Wednesday, Oct. 20
Pep Rally/PC Carnival and Games
10 a.m. - 2 p.m. (Sophomore Square)

Phoenix College students will not want to miss this event!

The college community can visit clubs, listen to music, or vote for their favorite Homecoming king and queen candidates. For all those extreme sports fans out there - sign up for one of the exciting games designed especially for you.

Maricopa Honors Lecture Series: Pop Culture - Shaping and Reflecting Who We Are - "Benson's View on Pop Culture and Politics" - Steve Benson
7 p.m. - Bulpitt Auditorium

As one of the top 10 syndicated editorial cartoonists in the country, Steve Benson is presently with Tribune Media Services, which publishes his work in approximately 200 newspapers and magazines. His cartoons have appeared on CBS Face the Nation, the MacNeil-Lehrer Report, and ABC Nightline, as well as in Time, Newsweek, US News & World Report, and locally in The Arizona Republic. His work has also appeared in publications in Japan, Korea, England and Germany. Benson is a 1993 Pulitzer Prize winner and three-time Pulitzer Prize nominee. He won the national Headliner Award in 1984 and the Best of the West in 1991 and 1992.

Thursday, Oct. 21
All-Employee Ice Cream Social and Department Decorating Contest Awards
12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. (Bulpitt)

Who has the most school spirit? The winning department will showcase the most PC JamBEARee Homecoming spirit. They will receive a trophy and pizza party.

Additional prizes will be awarded for the following:
--Best Use of Theme
--Best Collaboration
--Best Use of People
--Best Use of Blue & Gold

6th Annual Phoenix College History Makers Hall of Fame Induction Dinner & Silent Auction
Begins at 6 p.m.- Culinary Café

The Phoenix College Alumni Association Board of Directors will present the Phoenix College History Makers 6th Annual Alumni Hall of Fame induction dinner and silent auction. During the event, 11 prominent locals will be honored and recognized for their contributions to the college and community. These well-known local standouts will be applauded for their talent and dedication to Phoenix College and the community and will be inducted into the Phoenix College Alumni Association Hall of Fame.

Inductees include:

Rod Peterson (1941) - Producer of The Waltons
Dick Norton (1949) - Entrepreneur and professional in financial planning
Patty Norton (1950) - Passionate community volunteer in AZ and CA
Andy Chuka, Jr. (1955) - Respected leader in the printing industry and active community member
Ed Chilleen (1958) - Owner of The Satisfied Frog in Cave Creek
Ed Mell (1963) - National and world renowned artist
Dr. Wil Counts (1967) - National Health Professions Scholar & Carnation Teaching Incentive Award recipient
Richard Boals (1975) - President & CEO of Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Arizona
Judge Rachel Torres Carrillo (1976) - West Phoenix Justice of the Peace
Dr. John Hardaway (1949) Faculty Honoree - Former Phoenix College English Department faculty for more than 30 years
Dr. Monica Lowe (1966) Faculty Honoree - Phoenix College Counseling Department faculty since 1984

Saturday, Oct. 23
"An Arizona Western Experience"
3:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. (Sophomore Square)

An Arizona Western Experience features music, a Western petting zoo and hayrides for the kids and a Cowboy BBQ! The performance lineup includes:

--Marshall Trimble - PC alumnus and official Arizona State Historian relating humorous stories of his boyhood in Ash Fork;
--Dolan Ellis - Arizona's State Balladeer;
--Mariachi Allegre - Tejano and Mariachi trio;
--Sue Harris Trio - Arizona's Cowgirl Sweetheart and her band;
--Madison Walker - one-man show performs as Black Cowboy Nat Love and as a Buffalo Soldier; and,
--Yellowbird - Native American musicians and dancers

Events are free with advance tickets for a Cowboy BBQ plate of $3. For more information, please call (602) 285-7494 or (602) 285-7231.

Homecoming Football Game
7:00 p.m. (Hoy Field)
Phoenix College vs. Pima Community College

Phoenix College will pull out the red carpet for members of the 1964 Championship football team during the Oct. 23 Homecoming celebration.

Former NFL player Ron Wolfley and his team will take on Pima Community College at 7 p.m. on Hoy Field and a special half-time show will feature a tribute to the Phoenix College 1964 team in recognition of the team's national championship win at the Shrine Bowl 40 years ago.

The 1964 team was led by head coach Shanty Hogan and includes alumni players like Fred Carr (Green Bay Packers & NFL Hall of Fame), Robert Wallace (Chicago Bears), Craig Liston, Ray Mautz, Gil Lilienthal, Tony Fotinos, Steve Timarac, Skip Davis, Ron Harvill, Mel Kunaschk, Richard Castillo, and others.

Approximately 28 players from the championship team will return to Phoenix College for this special tribute. They will be inducted into the first Athletics Alumni Ring of Honor.

For more information on JamBEARee Week activities, please contact the Office of Student Life and Leadership at (602) 285-7231 or the Office of Alumni & Development at (602) 285-7667.

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