Under the theme "Courage Then, Courage Now," Brigham Young University will pay tribute to one of the charter members of its Board of Trustees during a weeklong Homecoming celebration Oct. 13-19.
Even in frontier Utah, Martha Jane Knowlton Coray believed education was a necessity. So it was of little surprise when this school-teacher and mother of 12 was appointed by Brigham Young to be a trustee and dean of women at Brigham Young Academy."The founders of this great university not only had a strong sense of mission, but they also had the courage to carry out their dreams," said George Bowie, chairman of the Homecoming Executive Committee. "Even on the day of her death, Martha Jane was signing papers for the business affairs of the school."
Highlighting this year's Founders Day on Tuesday, Oct. 14, will be a special recognition of Coray. The Homecoming opening ceremonies and Founders Day tribute will begin at 11 a.m. in the Marriott Center and will feature President Merrill J. Bateman, Coach LaVell Edwards, Noel B. Reynolds and the Cougar Marching Band.
The event is open to all alumni, students, faculty and staff and members of the community.
Coray's legacy will be carried throughout the week to this year's Homecoming Spectacular Friday and Saturday, Oct. 17 and 18. Tickets for both performances are available at the Marriott Center Ticket Office, 378-BYU1 or 1-800-322-BYU1.
The host and guest performer at this year's spectacular, Sharlene Wells Hawkes, a former Miss America, will also be this year's Homecoming Grand Marshal.
Hawkes will conclude the Homecoming festivities with a Sunday, Oct. 19, fireside in the de Jong Concert Hall at 7 p.m.
Prior to Friday's Spectacular, a Homecoming Barbecue will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Ellsworth Center, 76 W. 2230 North. Tickets for the barbecue are $10 and are available through Alumni Activities, 244 ALUM, 1-800-437-4663, ext. 6746.
Other Homecoming activities include Career Connections. Sponsored by the Student Alumni Association, Career Connections gives students a chance to meet with BYU alumni for 15 minutes in one-on-one sessions to discuss and get advice about their chosen careers. Those who would like to participate in this event, to be held Friday, Oct. 17, from 8 a.m. until noon, should call LaDawn Hall at 378-7621.
Kieth Merrill, producer and director of the pioneer film "Legacy," will speak at 4 p.m. Friday to those attending class reunions and a series of "back-to-school" classes. Registration for the Friday and Saturday event, which will be held in BYU's Maeser and Joseph Smith Buildings (JSB), will begin at noon in the JSB commons area. Tickets may be ordered or purchased at the door for $10. For tickets or information about the classes or reunions, call 1-800-437-4663, 378-2514 or access the BYU alumni home page at (http://ucs.BYU.edu/alumni/reunions.htm).
Twenty-plus classes and organizations will hold reunions during the week.
The annual Homecoming Parade will begin at 8:30 a.m.
The football game will follow at noon with BYU facing the University of Hawaii. Football tickets are available at the Marriott Center Ticket Office, 1-800-322-BYU1.