Today, Utah Valley University is celebrating its 79th birthday on Founders Day and kicking off festivities to celebrate Homecoming week, starting with a comedy celebration tonight, and ending with the President’s Scholarship Ball on Saturday, September 26. While this year’s Homecoming week may look a little different due to COVID-19, UVU Alumni has put together modified events celebrating 79 years of strong and resilient Wolverines while complying with safety standards. 

To kick off the week, comedian Jonathan Burns will be hosting a virtual comedy show at 7:30 p.m. The event is free and open to all students who want to get a good laugh without leaving the comfort of their own couch. Students can RSVP athttps://connect.uvu.edu/event/6416838.

On Tuesday, Sept. 22, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Ballroom Commons, the Center for Social Impact is hosting a bleed green blood drive where students can donate blood to the American Red Cross. Appointments can be made on the American Red Cross’s website, and walk-ins are also welcome.

UVUSA is hosting Chalk Fest on the library quad on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 11 a.m. to Thursday, September 24, at noon. Participants have the chance to win $500, and those who just want to admire the art are welcome to walk through the quad. Free drinks and snacks will be available, and prize winners will be announced Thursday.

On Friday, Sept. 25, 7 p.m., students are encouraged to watch a rebroadcast of the 2014 Men’s UVU Basketball team against CSU Bakersfield on the Go UVU Facebook page. To help celebrate, students can download the Homecoming party pack containing coloring pages, decorations, photo props, the UVU fight song, and more.

That same night at 7:30, the Mr. UVU Pageant will be premiering on YouTube. This is a tradition that started in 1989 and highlights contestants competing in the swimwear, talent, evening wear, and interview portions. Students can RSVP via UVU Connect.

Directly after the Mr. UVU premiere, the Student Alumni Association will be hosting a burning of the UVU event, complete with fire dancers, shaved ice, and the torching of UVU letters. This event will take place at 10 p.m. in the M22 parking lot. Students attending are required to be socially distant and wear face masks.

The President’s Drive-in Scholarship Ball will take place on Saturday, Sept. 26, in the L4 parking lot. This year will look different than any other year as guests will be encouraged to stay in their cars and watch the festivities from large screens in the parking lot. The preshow and reception start at 6:30 p.m. and dinner starts at 7. Breaking tradition of the usual black-tie dress code, the theme is ’50s with leather jackets and poodle skirts.

Week-long events include a virtual 5K, a scavenger hunt with clues on social media, and an office decorating party for UVU faculty and staff hosted by PACE. Information for all of these events can be found on the UVU Homecoming page.

Despite being physically separated, UVU is ready to honor its rich history of educating students  and building a powerful campus community while helping keep students healthy and safe.