Its a multiclass reunion and Octoberfest rolled into one.


The West Virginia University School of Physical Education has scheduled several alumni-related activities Oct. 3-4. The events �€which are open to the public �€include a 70th anniversary celebration of the first graduating class, unveiling of a Wall of Honor, a distinguished alumni lecture series and induction of new members to the schools Hall of Fame.


“We wanted to celebrate the 70th anniversary of our first graduating class, and in planning the event we thought it would be best to tie in all of our major activities rather than spread them out the entire year,”said Dana Brooks, school dean.


Activities will begin at noon Thursday, Oct. 3 with the recognition of graduates from the 1932-42 classes at the Holiday Inn. The event will also include a reception from 1-3 p.m. in Room 251 of the Coliseum and a slide overview of the schools history by former Dean William Douglas.


WVU officials and supporters will dedicate the Wall of Honor at 5 p.m. on the ground-floor hallway at the Coliseums Gold Gate. The wall will recognize alumni and friends who have contributed $1,000 or more to the school. Speakers will include Brooks; Provost Gerald Lang; Duke Perry, president and chief executive officer of the WVU Foundation; and donors Al and Dee Ware, Sam Huff and Willie Akers.


The lecture series will begin with”A Tribute to Greatness”at 8 p.m. Oct. 3 in the EricksonAlumniCenter. Speakers will include the former NFL great Huff, retired WVU basketball coach Gale Catlett, WVU distinguished professor and retired Associated Press correspondent George Esper, athletic trainer and sports medicine entrepreneur John Spiker, retired WVU administrator Horace Belmear, retired Army Lt. Col. and former WVU military science professor Margaret”Peggy”Bahnsen, and Orchesis artistic director and choreographer and dance professor Mary Kathryne”Kacy”Wiedebush.


Lectures will resume Friday, Oct. 4, with”Career Alternatives in Athletic Training”by Mark Doughty, Chris Burdell and Matt Lively, 9-10:30 a.m., Erickson;”Alternative Careers to Teaching”by Ron LaNeve, Ed Pastilong, Herman Moses and Byron Gibson, 10-10:50 a.m., 245 Coliseum;”Managing Organizational Change”by Charles Bishop Jr., 10-10:50 p.m., 252


Coliseum;”An Overview of the 1948 Olympic Games”by William Bonsall and”History of Women in Sport”by Steveda Chepko, 10-11:30 a.m., 276 Coliseum;”Opportunities and Challenges Facing High School and Athletic Coaches”by Kittie Blakemore, Leland Byrd, Nick Cavallaro and Akers, 11-11:50 a.m., 251 Coliseum.


Activities will culminate with the 15thHall of Fame induction ceremonyat 7:30 p.m. at LakeviewScanticonResort&ConferenceCenter. This years class will include business executive Charles H. Bishop Jr., Broward (Fla.) Community College administrator Donna W. Henderson, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania physical education professor Kathleen Lipkovich and retired WVU track and cross country coach Martin Pushkin. Long-time WVU administrator Horace Belmear will be presented the 2002 Outstanding Alumnus Award. A reception will precede the ceremony at 6:30 p.m.