Gustavus Homecoming Week begins Monday, Sept. 20 with a full five days of events, leading up to the football game against St. Olaf. The Campus Activities Board (CAB) has planned a full week of events, including a Tyrone Wells concert, dodgeball and the crowning of the Homecoming Court.

Homecoming Week will feature a variety of entertainment events and competitions between Gustavus’s student organizations. All student organizations are welcome to participate, but are asked to sign up at the information desk on the lower level of the Jackson Campus Center no later than noon this Sunday. Organizations will need to have five participating members at each event. The Variety Show on Friday, Sept. 24 and the parade Saturday, Sept. 25 will be worth double points toward the competition. The organization placing first overall will receive $1,000 for their organization, while second and third place will receive $600 and $400, respectively.

The week of festivities begins Monday with the Homecoming Kickoff in the Evelyn Young Dining Room. Students are invited to help paint windows while enjoying music and free dessert. Caleb Hawley, a New York City-based singer-songwriter, will be the visiting musician. Dessert is provided by Gustavus President Jack Ohle. The evening begins at 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday will be a game night, featuring MAD GAC, a Gustavus spinoff of the popular game Mad Gab. All students are welcome to be part of the audience as student organizations compete in this entertaining event. The games will start at 7:00 p.m. in the Heritage room. Appetizers, including buffalo wings and chips, will be served.

“I’m really excited for MAD GAC,” Junior Elementary Education major and CAB Special Events Executive Ashley Neaton said. “I think it’ll be funny.”

Tyrone Wells will be in concert Wednesday night, with opening act Dan Rodriguez. Wells, a Washington native based in California, has seen a recent jump in popularity after being a college campus sensation across the U.S. and having his music featured in several television shows and films.

“He has the right atmosphere that we were looking for,” Junior Communication Studies Major Matt Wasson, CAB concert executive, said. “It’s something everyone on campus can relate to and enjoy.” The concert will be held in Alumni Hall at 8:00 p.m.

Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. in Lund Center there will be the dodgeball tournament. Student organizations will be put to the test as they battle for points that will count toward an overall score. The tournament will be arranged with all competing teams placed in a single-elimination bracket.

Friday night will be the final day of events for student organizations as they perform in the Variety Show. “The student organizations are all going to create some sort of skit. It’s pretty open ended,” Neaton said.

The event, beginning at 7:00 p.m. in Alumni Hall, will start with the introduction of the Homecoming Court. Skits and performances will follow, with judges awarding points to the most original and entertaining performances. The event will conclude with the coronation of the Homecoming King and Queen.

Saturday is the culmination of the week’s activities, beginning with the Homecoming Parade at 11:30 a.m. The parade will begin at the Lind Interpretive Center and conclude at Norelius Hall. The parade is open to any who wish to participate and is also part of the student organization competition. At 1:30 p.m. on Hollingsworth Field, the Gusties will host St. Olaf College for its Homecoming football game.

Other Homecoming activities that will be taking place throughout the week include the Medallion Hunt, T-Shirt sales and Homecoming Court nominations. The Medallion Hunt challenges students to find a medallion hidden somewhere new on campus each day by following clues posted at 8:00 a.m. outside the Student Activities Office. T-Shirts will be sold at the information desk for $5 each and will be available throughout the week while they last. Homecoming Court nominations will be sent out via e-mail on Monday morning, and voting will continue all week.

“I’m really excited for Monday, just to kick it off and get it all started,” Sophomre Biology Major and CAB Special Events Executive Ellen Liebe said.