By Stella Dolan
Published 1:56 p.m. on Oct. 1, 2024
The sun wasn’t the only thing shining at Bucky’s Beach Bash.
Bemidji State University's 2024 Homecoming brought together thousands of alumni, faculty, staff, friends and students for a sunny celebration that will be remembered for years.
The week of Sept. 23-29 was full of events that united the community to celebrate our collective pride in Bemidji State, culminating under a perfect, 85-degree sunny sky.
Here's a look at the best of the weekend's events.
Honors Gala
The 2024 Honors Gala kicked off the weekend's festivities. Over 200 guests packed the Sanford Center to celebrate four distinguished alumni and many other supporters.
Jim Marken, Sianneh Mulbah and Lonni Whitchurch received the prestigious Outstanding Alumni Award, the highest honor from the Bemidji State Alumni & Foundation. Keith Johanneson was named the first-ever Philanthropist of the Year, while Travis Ricks earned the inaugural Friend of the Foundation Award. Past award-winners were also recognized, as were donors.
Click below to watch the videos on this year's distinguished alumni.
Jim Marken
Lonni Whitchurch
Keith Johanneson
Friend of the Foundation Award
Travis Ricks, a psychology professor, earned the inaugural Friend of the Foundation Award for his impactful initiatives, including the Bucky Forever Fund and Bucky's Pantry, which address student needs and food insecurity.
The Friend of the Foundation Award is a prestigious recognition given to a faculty or staff member at Bemidji State University who demonstrates exceptional commitment to advancing the university's mission through relationship-building and effective fundraising efforts.
Travis’s dedication to service and his innovative approaches to engaging students and the community exemplify the qualities celebrated by this award.
Game Day Experience
On Saturday, the action continued with a palpable buzz around campus ahead of the Homecoming football game.
Before the opening kickoff, the Game Day Experience kicked off as part of the Alumni & Foundation's Community Appreciation Day series. Approximately 18 local businesses and nonprofits, along with several student groups and organizations, set up booths offering goodies, giveaways and games outside the David Park House and on the lawn of the Hobson Memorial Union.
Guests enjoyed delicious food from the Mac in the Box food truck and refreshing treats from Wiki Shaved Ice while snapping photos with Bucky the Beaver, Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox.
Beaver Pride Tailgate
Before the football game, the Beaver Pride Tailgate had Diamond Point Park buzzing with excitement.
The event featured numerous tents, notably those from the BSU football parents’ “Gang Green Gridiron.” The BSU Gridiron Gang, along with Jake and Bryant from Blue Ox Moving Company, hosted special guest griller Brian Vraa, who fired up the grill for delicious brats and Jamaican Jerk-style smoked chicken drumsticks.
Brigid’s Pub offered a selection of favorite adult beverages, while the Beaver Radio Network served up mouthwatering grilled pizza. Adding to the festivities, special guests Beer Belly Sports hosted a live podcast during the tailgate.
HotSpring Hot Tub MN sponsored the Beaver Football Tailgate, contributing to an unforgettable experience for all the fans and alumni who gathered to celebrate Beaver pride.
Scholarship appreciation and honorary captain
Once the action reached the football field, there was plenty more to celebrate.
Cy Champa, an 87-year-old BSU Hall of Fame football and baseball player, was the honorary captain for the game. Recently, Cy documented a legacy gift to BSU. Additionally, a number of scholarship donors and recipients were recognized together on the field.
BSU football beats U-Mary
On the field, the Bemidji State football team earned a resounding 41-7 victory over U-Mary.
True to its annual tradition, the team capped off their win by taking a celebratory plunge into Lake Bemidji, a tradition that has been standing since 1995.
The exhilarating win and refreshing dip in the lake were the perfect way to honor the spirit of Homecoming and cool off after hard work in the 85-degree heat.
Carl O. Thompson Memorial Concert
The annual Carl O. Thompson Memorial Concert put a bow on Homecoming with its 41st anniversary concert on Sunday.
The event featured BSU's wind ensemble, Blue Ice Jazz Band, the Bemidji Chamber Orchestra, the Bemidji Choir and soloist Zhicheng He.
The concert benefits Bemidji State music scholarships and also features performances by Carl O. Thompson scholarship winners each year.
A look from up above
Check out the video below for a bird's-eye view of the exciting festivities from this year's Homecoming events on Saturday, Sept. 28.
