6 minute read
Over 18,000+ Pirates Celebrated Homecoming
Pirate’s Island 2023 was an EPIC week filled with lots of Hampton Pride, Hampton Swag, and, more importantly, the Alumni, Students, and Parents. We cannot thank you enough for all the support and camaraderie felt this year. Every hug, every photo, every moment was cherished by all who attended and even those who were visiting. We are so honored to have had the opportunity to provide a 5-star homecoming experience that will be remembered for years to come. Thank you for choosing Hampton University, and we hope that you will enjoy our Pirate’s Island Homecoming 2023 recap.
A movie. An island. An escape. Hampton University’s Pirates Island 2023 Homecoming Experience was one for the books. Documented by fly ‘fits, good vibes, and pirate pride, this year’s homecoming was as fun as it looked.
Sea the Arts: The Ultimate Cultural Experience was the perfect creative escape for all our art enthusiasts and professionals. Things began with the showing of A Streetcar Named Desire featuring Hampton Alumni Deedra Chambers ’96, Mustafa Speaks ’07, and celebrity actor Lamman Rucker. This captivating play took you through the French Quarter of New Orleans and grasped you into the culture. The show took many surprising twists and turns that kept the audience on the edge of their seats; a must-see!
As we continued throughout the week, we sailed to the University Museum for An Afternoon Amongst Gems. Highlighting the event was Hampton University’s Marching FORCE’s small band, the Terpsichorean Dance Company, and the official print signing of the inaugural portrait “Full Circle” by Preston Sampson. Light hors d’oeuvre and wine were served for the perfect affair.
Transitioning to Friday, we welcomed our Alumni and parents to the Hospitality Suite, where they could fellowship with one another, purchase their survival kits and other official OAAPR Hampton swag, and finally check in early for the Escape Remixer. This year’s hospitality suite was like none other as the line to check in for our signature Escape Remixer wrapped around the entire student ballroom and out the door!
To elevate the day, Alumni and parents were welcome to tour the newly renovated buildings on campus like Clarke Hall, Moton Hall, and Armstrong Hall. The space was filled with patrons walking through and enjoying light refreshments and beautiful scenery.
To close out Friday with a banger, everyone headed to the Escape Remixer for an unforgettable event. We’ve heard all the names like HUChella, PirateChella, and more, but we are officially known as Pirates Island: The ESCAPE Alumni Remixer. This event welcomed you to a picturesque island destination filled with beautiful scenery, stationed bars, two sound stages, photo booths, and more. Our event featured music sets from DJ Stormy, DJ Rick Geez, and DJ Babey Drew, and artists like BIG BOI, Armani White, Lakeside, SWV, and Rare Essence. Before the night was over, we showcased a drone show and sent everyone home with a thank you for attending our Escape.
On Saturday, the FORD Alumni Island Tailgate kicked things off with tunes by our Alumni DJ Rick Geez and DJ Alpha Whiskey and hosted by The Voice’s Tonya Boyd Cannon. A few FORD representatives took over our social media and shared their excitement and welcoming of Alumni to their activation house for special events and happenings. Everyone enjoyed the mechanical bull, food, and class reunion photo-ops. During the game, President Williams and First Lady Myra R. Williams welcomed the 2023 Homecoming Court along with Miss & Mr. Hampton University. Prudential gifted Hampton University $1,000,000, and the Richard and Mollie Rawles Family Trust gave $45,000 to the Athletics Department and $10,000 to the School of Business. As the game continued, the Alumni band performed their tunnels to get the crowd going as Hampton University took on the W against North Carolina A&T.
As we sailed to our final destination, we welcomed Alumni to the Student Center Dining Facility for our Bon Voyage Alumni Brunch. The tunes of the steelpan drummer provided the perfect island touch to our event. Brunch foods like shrimp & grits, chicken & waffles, and bottomless mimosas enveloped the room with aromatic smells. President Williams gave closing remarks on homecoming and thanked all the staff who helped make it happen.
Homecoming is a family reunion that we at Hampton University invite you to each year to come back, give back, enjoy, and make memories that will last a lifetime. See you next year!
Thanks to our sponsors:
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Alumni Choir
Pirate’s Island was more than just a party. During this year’s homecoming Hampton Alum, Mr. Roland M. Carter, directed the Alumni choir during the Chapel Service on Sunday. Mr. Carter received his BA in education from Hampton in and taught music at the university and chaired the Department of Music from 1965 to 1989. The choir sang two selections and also included our first lady, Mrs. Myra R. Williams. In honor of First Lady Myra R. Williams birthday, which she celebrated on October 31st, the choir sang happy birthday to her and presented her with a bouquet of flowers.
