Alumni get-togethers, daytime and evening student events, and soccer and club football games are just some of the activities occurring the week of October 16 as Columbus State University celebrates its annual Homecoming Week.

“Homecoming is an exciting time that brings together our alumni, students and community. It’s the perfect blend of events for everyone who loves Columbus State,” said Katie Evans ’11, ’13, executive director of the CSU Alumni Association and director in CSU’s Office of Alumni Engagement.

One unique element of this year’s Homecoming Week festivities will be the investiture of its sixth president, Dr. Stuart Rayfield, on Friday, Oct. 20. The investiture ceremony, a formal event in the life of any university, is open to the public and begins at 10:30 a.m. in Frank G. Lumpkin Jr. Center on the Main Campus.

Events are not limited to students and alumni, however. The CSU Alumni Association’s Oct. 19 Alumni Awards Program and Dinner gives family and friends the opportunity to celebrate the organization’s six 2023 award winners. The Alumni Association will recognize six award recipients with awards that include the recipients of the association’s highest recognitions — Jerry “Pops” Barnes ’01, who will receive the Thomas Y. Whitley Distinguished Alumni Award, and Teddie Ussery, this year’s recipient of the Frank D. Brown Achievement and Leadership Excellence Award.

The “Downtown Domination” Homecoming Parade on Broadway in Uptown Columbus on Friday — as well as Saturday’s women’s soccer match on Main Campus and club football game at Kinnett Stadium — will give Cougar fans plenty of opportunities to show their school spirit and don their red, white and blue Columbus State attire.

Events will span the entire week — from students’ Main Campus Homecoming Kickoff on Monday, Oct. 16 until the last club football fan leaves Kinnett Stadium. A full list of events for students and alumni is available at homecoming.columbusstate.edu, but some worth noting where the community can participate and show their Cougar Pride include:

Thursday, Oct. 19

6:00 p.m., CSU Alumni Association Annual Awards Program and Dinner, Green Island Country Club [ info | tickets ]

Friday, Oct. 20

10:30 a.m., Presidential Investiture of Dr. Stuart Rayfield, Frank G. Lumpkin Jr. Center [ info | map ]

6:30 p.m., “Downtown Domination” Homecoming Parade and Concert, Uptown Columbus at Broadway

Saturday, Oct. 21

12:00 p.m., Oktoberfest-inspired “CougarFest,” Walden Soccer Complex, Main Campus [ tickets | map ]

2:00 p.m.

Women’s Soccer vs. USC Aiken, Walden Soccer Complex, Main Campus; free admission for all spectators [ info | map ]

Crowing of CSU's Homecoming king and queen at halftime

4:00 p.m., Club Football vs. Central Georgia Tech, Kinnett Stadium [ map ]; $5 per person admission