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 NCCU 2019 Ultimate Homecoming Experience Kicks It Up A Notch

Phyllis Coley @phyllis_coley

Durham, NC – The Ultimate Homecoming Experience returns to North Carolina Central University (NCCU) with a week-long series of festivities and community service activities from Sunday, Nov. 3 to Saturday, Nov. 9.

Nearly 40 events bring alumni and community together to celebrate Eagle Pride

National recording artists will take the stage at the university’s Ultimate Homecoming Experience signature gospel, hip-hop, and alumni concerts. This year’s lineup includes:

experienceDurham native, pastor and Grammy Award-winning artist John P. Kee, who will headline the 11thannual Ultimate Praise Homecoming Gospel Concert on Sunday, Nov. 3. Additional entertainment by Grammy-nominated artists Travis Greene and the Walls Group, along with NCCU’s WPI Mass Choir, will also be part of the concert experience beginning at 5 pm in McDougald-McLendon Arena.

Rapper Megan Thee Stallion will headline the Ultimate Hip-Hop and R&B Concert. She will be joined by hip-hop artist Tink and rapper Lil Durk at 8 pm, Thursday, Nov. 7, in McDougald-McLendon Arena.

Legendary soul band MAZE featuring Frankie Beverly will perform at the annual Alumni Scholarship Concert on Friday, Nov. 8, at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel Raleigh-Durham Airport at Research Triangle Park, starting at 8 pm This concert is sold out.

Several signature Ultimate Homecoming Experience events will return this year, as well as new initiatives.  

~ On Monday, Nov. 4, NCCU will crown the 2019-2020 Royal Court during the Miss and Mister NCCU Coronation and Ball at 7 pm in McDougald-McLendon Arena.

~ Building on the university’s motto “Truth and Service,” the university will also celebrate Homecoming with community-service projects. Students, faculty, staff, and alumni will participate in the Power of Reading, at various Durham Public Schools. The event will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 6, from 8 am to 11 am

~ The annual Founder’s Day Convocation begins at 9 am Friday, Nov. 8, in McDougald-McLendon Arena. The event recognizes the life and contributions of NCCU founder Dr. James E. Shepard. As part of the Founder’s Day observance, members of the class of 1969 will be inducted into the Society of Golden Eagles. The society includes alumni who graduated from the university at least 50 years ago. The Founder’s Day address will be delivered by Class of 1969 member Elwood K. Callahan, retired U.S. Marines Corps corporal and Superior Court of the District of Columbia employee, where he served the court system for 34 years. Following the induction, a wreath-laying ceremony will take place in front of the James E. Shepard Statue on campus.

~ Local radio station K97.5 FM will host an Eagle Street Festival from 2-5 pm on Friday, Nov. 8, at the Outdoor Recreational Complex.

~ NCCU’s Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life will host the annual Ultimate Face-off Step Show with performances from the National Pan-Hellenic Council and the Council of Independent Organizations at 7 pm Friday, Nov. 8, in the McDougald-McLendon Arena.

~ Festivities will continue with the pre-game Ultimate Homecoming Parade, starting at 8:45 am on Saturday, Nov. 9, on Fayetteville Street, followed by the Homecoming football game against Norfolk State University at 2 pm in O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium.

Other Homecoming events include:

Sunday, Nov. 3

  • Worship Service, 11 am – 12:30 pm, B.N. Duke Auditorium
  • Soul Food Dinner, 12:30 – 2:30 pm, W.G. Pearson Dining Hall

Tuesday, Nov. 5

  • Ultimate Talent Show, 7 pm, B.N. Duke Auditorium
  • Sodexo’s Late-Night Breakfast, 9 pm, W.G. Pearson Dining Hall

Wednesday, Nov. 6

  • The Ultimate Drag Show, 6 pm, B.N. Duke Auditorium
  • The Ultimate Tent Party, 9 pm, Outdoor Recreational Complex

Thursday, Nov. 7

  • Eagle Pride Amplified Networking Reception, 4 pm, A.E. Student Union
  • Corporate and Community Reception, 6 pm, Sheraton Imperial Hotel
  • NCCU Alumni Association Presents: Black Laughs Matter Comedy Show, 8 pm, Rhythms Live Music Hall

Friday, Nov. 8

  • NCCU Alumni Association Homecoming Golf Tournament and Scholarship Fundraiser, 9 am, Falls Village Golf Club

Saturday, Nov. 9

  • Post-Game Student/Alumni Social, following the football game, Library Bowl
  • NCCU Alumni Association Homecoming Dance, 7 pm, Sheraton Imperial Hotel
  • NCCU Alumni Association 10:40 Break Late Night Edition, 10:40 pm, Sheraton Imperial Hotel

General Homecoming event tickets are on sale and can be purchased at the NCCU Ticket Office or by visiting www.nccu.edu/homecoming.   

For further information regarding NCCU Alumni Association events, visit http://www.nccualumni.org/.

North Carolina Central University prepares students to succeed in the global marketplace. Consistently ranked as a top Historically Black College or University, NCCU offers flagship programs in the sciences, education, law, business, nursing, and the arts. Founded in 1910, NCCU remains committed to diversity in and access to higher education. Our alumni excel in a wide variety of academic and professional fields. NCCU is a constituent institution of the University North Carolina System. Visit www.nccu.edu.