Free “Coming Home” event Nov. 5 honors JU family, community for Hurricane Matthew efforts

When Hurricane Matthew arrived in Jacksonville in October, JU’s plans for its annual Homecoming & Family Weekend came to a crashing halt. Despite the devastation, the JU community and its friends rose to the challenge of the historic storm in many ways:

Students remained calm and heeded warnings. Faculty made adjustments to ensure coursework stayed on track. Staff members kept everyone safe on campus, and well-informed off campus. And facilities personnel, city emergency planners, local first-responders and JEA line workers returned the campus to normal operations as quickly as possible.

With campus cleaned up and order restored, November brings cooler weather, a renewed sense of energy and time for celebration and gratitude. To show its appreciation and pride for the community bonding with JU during an unprecedented time of emergency, the University is inviting all area residents to take part in “Coming Home: A Celebration of Strength on the First Coast,” this Saturday, Nov. 5, on the campus at 2800 University Blvd. N.

Events include:

• Free tailgate lunch with live music for the first 500 guests, at 11 a.m. in the Grove;
• Free football tickets and parking for first-responders and line workers;
• Football Game Kick-Off: JU Dolphins vs. Drake Bulldogs at 1 p.m. at D.B. Milne Field. Game tickets $12.
• Bloodmobile present on campus;
• Contribution presented on behalf of the University to the First Coast Relief Fund; and
• JU Volleyball at 5 p.m. at Historic Swisher Gymnasium.

JU invites all first-responders from law enforcement, fire and rescue, and paramedics, as well as line workers and JEA employees, to join the JU family as complimentary guests for the celebration. We are grateful for their tireless efforts, diligence and commitment to the JU and overall community. Information on additional tickets needed for families and guests can be found at www.JUtickets.com.

For more information on this event, contact the JU Office of University Advancement at (904) 256-7045.