PITT HOMECOMING 2000 FEATURES WELCOMING FIREWORKS, REUNION DINNERS, TAILGATING PARTIES, AND A BIG GAME

PITTSBURGH, Sept. 1 -- The University of Pittsburgh football team will welcome alumni, students, and friends to Homecoming Celebration 2000 on Friday, Sept. 15, at 5:30 p.m. on the William Pitt Union (WPU) lawn, and at

9 p.m. an explosive display of light and color will fill the sky, as dramatic music plays on Bigelow Boulevard between the WPU and Cathedral of Learning.

Following the annual Fireworks and Laser Show, presented by the Pitt Program Council, is the annual Homecoming Extravaganza, including free video games, music, a balloon artist, caricaturist, tarot card reader, and air brush body art in the WPU. There also will be an alumni piano bar from 9:30 p.m. to midnight at the Pitt Club on Thackeray Street.

In addition, the African American Alumni Council Dinner Dance will feature Derrick Bell, Pitt law graduate and New York University Law School professor, at 7 p.m. at the Sheraton Station Square. Other events include the Chemistry Department's 125th anniversary picnic and banquet, Katz Graduate School of Business "51 Plus" luncheon, School of Dental Medicine banquet, School of Engineering reunion dinner, and the Varsity Letter Club dinner.

On Saturday, Sept. 16, the Pitt Alumni Association will host the "Great Panther Tailgate" at 1:30 p.m. in the Clark Bar & Grill across from Gate B at Three Rivers Stadium where Pittsburgh will play Penn State at 3:30 p.m. The School of Medicine will hold a reunion breakfast and the College of Business Administration, Chemistry Department, and the School of Engineering will host separate tailgate parties. Various schools and programs will hold continuing education sessions in the morning.

Later that night "An Evening of Jazz," sponsored by the African American Alumni Council, is planned at 8 p.m. in the Bellefield Hall Auditorium. For more information about homecoming events, call 412-624-8229.