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After
an
absence
in
2020
due
to
the
pandemic,
Baldwin
Wallace
University's
2021
Bold
&
Gold
Homecoming
Festival
came
roaring
back
this
year
with
three
days
of
spirited
fun
for
the
entire
BW
community.
From a Thursday kick-off rally to Saturday night's soccer contest and loads more in between, Yellow Jacket pep and pride ruled the weekend.
The
festival
drew
students,
families,
alumni,
employees,
neighbors
and
friends
at
events
linked
by
the
theme,
"All
Together
Since
1845,"
the
year
of
BW's
founding.
Featuring in-person and live remote options, the festival opened on Thursday, September 30, with a virtual trivia night and a Finnie Stadium pep rally that included performances by the BW Dance Team, Urban Dance Association, Cheerleaders and Marching Yellow Jackets.
On Friday, the School of Business hosted a "Level Up Your Linked In" Zoom event during the noon hour, and the BW Symphony was back on stage for a live evening concert offered to audiences both in Gamble Auditorium and via live stream.
Wall-to-wall
Saturday
celebrationA jam-packed Saturday had something for everyone. A parent's reception, an esports competition, library exhibit, tours and alumni affinity group gatherings started the day.
Everybody's favorite Disney songs floated through the air as students in BW's renowned music theatre program performed an outdoor concert on the steps of the Boesel Musical Arts Center.
This year's Homecoming parade stepped off up Front Street featuring 2021 Grand Marshals Irene '53 and Ted '51 Theodore, plus entries from 40 student groups.
The Best Banners and Floats Contest singled out three winning floats: Outdoor Adventure Program in first place, Circle K International in second and Zeta Tau Alpha in third. For best banner, Inter-Residence Hall Council claimed first prize, Circle K International was awarded second place, and third-place honors went to Rotaract.
The parade led the way to BW's North Quad, where a lively Bold & Gold festival awaited with a ring of tents offering street fair food, activities, games and mainstage music and entertainment for all ages.
President
Bob
Helmer,
the
Theodores,
Head
Football
Coach
Jim
Hilvert,
Stinger,
the
Marching
Yellow
Jackets
and
a
shower
of
confetti
rallied
festival
attendees
to
move
to
Finnie
Stadium
to
cheer
on
the
Yellow
Jackets.
The team went on to score a 51-0 BW gridiron shutout over Ohio Athletic Conference rival Capital University, while the BW Men's soccer team narrowly lost their evening contest to Capital, 0-1.
Halftime
ceremonies
at
the
football
game
included
the
crowning
of
the
2021
Jacket
Royalty,
selected
from
a
homecoming
court
of
senior
students.
Two seniors on the court were chosen for the honor of Homecoming Royalty, regardless of gender identity, through a combination of student votes and judges' interviews: Aru Gupta and Ru Mareya. According to the selection criteria, the two chosen students "embody and uplift the mission and values of Baldwin Wallace."
Other members of the homecoming court included Olivia Caraccio, Bryce Kessler, Katie Lyons, Ezra Ohly, Jordyn Rozek, Jared Rudge, Emma Seitz, Corrine Starks and Rachel Vanarsdale. The student body also elected two juniors to the court, Zaire Hall-Hamilton, an English and adolescent young adult education double major, and Hazelyn Smith, a psychology major.
After
the
football
victory,
the
annual
Breezer's
Cup
was
presented
to
Rotaract.
Named
for
Myron
W.
Thornburg,
the
Beezer's
cup
celebrates
school
pride
and
spirit.
Then, it was back to North Quad for a post-game celebration straight out of the 1970s with a concert by "Disco Inferno" and more good eats provided by popular food trucks.
All in all, Bold & Gold more than made up for a one-year absence and celebrated the resilience and strength of the BW Community, ALL TOGETHER Since 1845.
Visit BW on Flickr, Facebook and Instagram for additional photos and videos from the day being added this week.
