WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — It's Homecoming week for the Winston-Salem State University Rams!
Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) kicked off its 2023 Homecoming on October 15 with an official lighting of the WSSU homecoming sign on campus. This is the WSSU's first full homecoming since the pandemic after the threat of Hurricane Ian canceled weekend activities last year.
Homecoming is scheduled for Oct. 15-21 with all university-sponsored events being held for the first time at the Benton Convention Center in downtown Winston-Salem.
There will be some changes this year. The traditional on-campus venue for homecoming, K.R. Williams Auditorium, is offline due to a slated $57 million renovation investment from the state of North Carolina. The university will provide shuttle services throughout the week from campus to the Benton Convention Center at no charge to students, alumni, and visitors as parking is limited downtown.
“We are excited about having an opportunity – barring any extreme weather conditions – to have our first open, full homecoming schedule of activities to take place to allow camaraderie among alumni, students, and the community,” said Kimberly Fair-Reece, executive director of university events. “We have been denied that opportunity beyond our control having to deal with natural disasters and a pandemic.”
Homecoming Schedule:
OCT. 18-The coronation ball
OCT 20-Founder’s Day Convocation, Miss and Mr. Alumni crowning and gala, and the Greek step show
OCT 21- WSSU homecoming parade beginning at 10 a.m. at Research Parkway and proceeds down Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. to Cromartie Street. The parade will highlight at least 17 bands.
OCT 21-The football game starts at 1:30 p.m. and the WSSU Rams take on the St. Augustine’s Falcons at Bowman Gray Stadium.
One of the most anticipated events, Reese said, is the homecoming concert on Oct. 20 that will feature Grammy-award winning recording artists Ledisi and Dru Hill with special guest Experience Unlimited (EU).
New events added to the lineup this year are Wild ‘N Out Karaoke and a Brown Sugar R&B Only affair.
The Young Alumni Council, the Alumni Collective, Julio, L, and Fat will present the R&B Only affair at Truist Stadium, said Thesha Woodley, director of alumni engagement. It will be the first event of its kind playing the best of classic and new R&B music.
“Alumni are anticipating coming back this year after surviving the pandemic and not being able to connect last year,” Woodley said. “Everyone is ready to get back on campus and enjoy each other. Everyone is going to find a way to have a good time and show some Ram love.”
“Since 2019, we’ve had abbreviated homecomings or had to limit participation due to the pandemic,” Reese said. “Then last year, we had the threat of a hurricane that prompted us to cancel all events after the Founder’s Day Convocation. So this year, we are going to ‘Ramitize’ the city with red and white as we take over downtown.”
For a complete list of homecoming activities, click this link Homecoming 2023 or download the homecoming RamGuide app from Google Play (Android) or the App store (iOS).