Homecoming: Sept. 21, 1996
The celebration continues

Homecoming Day dawned beautiful and bright, on the heels of Friday's inauguration celebrations. Spirits were still soaring, borne aloft like the enormous white tent that billowed over the Quad. Weekend visitors shed suits and pearls for jeans and sneakers to enjoy a day of revelry and perfect fall weather. The exuberance was shared by all, from the Class of '96, returning to campus as alumni for the first time, to the representatives of the Class Boards of Directors, who marched with pride in the Inaugural Parade on Friday, then conducted a successful business meeting on Saturday.

The day's offerings included a session on job hunting on the Internet, a multimedia presentation on technology-based management programs at WPI, and a fun-for-all-ages Quadfest. Potential members of the classes of the 2020s enjoyed a marionette show of Jack and the Beanstalk, a magic show, face painting and music under the big top.

Athletic events included hockey, soccer, and a crew event at Lake Quinsigamond. The football team took a beating at the hands of Union College (24-10), but the fun continued with tailgate picnics, parties and a Young Alumni Social at the Main Street Brewery in downtown Worcester.

The annual Freshman-Sophomore Rope Pull was over in seconds, when the sophomores threw up their hands, letting victory and the rope slip through their fingers. The victorious freshmen got the upper hand immediately, after being egged on by Bland Addison, associate professor of history, a nonswimmer. He issued taunts to both classes from the relative safety of a canoe steered by Chrysanthe Terwilliger '88, assistant professor of mechanical engineering. The freshmen ran off with rope, snaking it across Salisbury Street with shouts and cheers. They used it to tie up Morgan Hall, skillfully weaving and knotting it in and out of windows, from floor to floor. Whether or not their brazen display will net them the Goat remains to be seen.

Homecoming honors and awards

1996 Hall of Fame Inductees (See Summer 1996 WPI Wire for story)
• Evan Elkington '89
• Maria Carvajal '88
• David Durrenberger '88
• Sue Chapman, former women's athletic coordinator
• William Nims '66
• Carl Simon '46

Most Spirited Students
• Matt Dowling '97
• Francesca Escoto '97
• Jennifer Lowell '97
• Laura Bielitz '97

WPI Community Service Award

Given in memory of the late Edwin B. "Ted" Coghlin Sr. '23, this annual award honors individuals or groups for exemplary service to WPI and the Worcester community. Winners are granted a contribution of $250 to their favorite organization or cause.

• Francesca "Franchy" Escoto '97, is a member of Skull and the Student Alumni Society, and a tutor in the Excellence in Math, Science and Engineering Program (E.M.S.E.P.). She is the founder of WPI's local chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers and the national representative to the organization.
• The firefighters of West Street Station volunteer their time and service to ensure public safety for the community of Auburn, Mass. Students from WPI's Fire Protection Engineering Department provide round-the-clock coverage in exchange for the opportunity to live and work in a firehouse.
• Members of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity have demonstrated outstanding service as Big Brothers to Worcester-area children and in service to the Red Cross and to Muscular Dystrophy fund drives. "Fiji" volunteers dig out a neighborhood church after every snow storm and host a Christmas party for needy children.

Freshman Skull Award
• Matthew Denicourt '99
• Karen Osman '99

19th Annual Frank Sannella Road Race
• Masters: Brian Savilonis '72
• Men's: Rich Person '96
• Women's: Christine Clifton '94
• Oldest Runner: Stephen Brooks '46

SAS Miniature Golf Competition
• First Place: Founders Hall
• Runner-up: American Society of Mechanical Engineers