Prairie State College (PSC) will host its first Homecoming Week from Monday through Saturday, Sept. 12 to Sept. 17, with a lineup of special events, activities, sporting events and the Investiture of PSC President Dr. Michael D. Anthony.
Most events are free and held at the main campus located at 202 S. Halsted St. in Chicago Heights.
Included in the week-long events will be the Rise Above Traveling Exhibit, a mobile movie theater exhibit that tours the country year-round, educating people about the Tuskegee Airmen, America’s first black military pilots and World War II heroes. The Tuskegee Airmen are also known for challenging stereotypes that kept Black men from serving as pilots in the military.
A few highlighted events on the schedule are:
- Wednesday, Sept. 14, 1 p.m., Barnes & Noble Auditorium — Rise Above / Stories of the Tuskegee Airmen and the WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots) panel discussion. The Prairie State College Library and Prairie State Military Student Affairs Center will be co-hosting the panel discussion. Professor Justin Pariseau will join the discussion moderated by Professor Valerie Moore.
- Wednesday, Sept. 14, 5 to 8 p.m., parking lot D: Commemorative Air Force Red Tail Squadron’s Rise Above Traveling Exhibit will feature the film “Rise Above” and its panoramic 160-degree screen inside a 53-foot trailer, which creates the feeling of being inside the cockpit. Admission is free.
- Wednesday, Sept. 14, Corvette Car Show, 5 to 8 p.m., parking lot D — Chicago Crossroads Corvette Club will have cars on display. Food trucks will be on-site during the event.
- Friday, Sept. 16, 6 p.m., Tinley Park Convention Center: PSC Foundation’s “Reach for the Stars Gala” will celebrate the Investiture of President Dr. Michael Anthony and honor nurse Marie Hansel, the 2022 Reach for the Stars Award Honoree. Michelle Relerford, weekday morning co-anchor for NBC 5 News Today will emcee the event. Proceeds go toward PSC student scholarships. To purchase tickets and for more information, visit give.classy.org/PSCGala2022.
- Saturday, Sept. 17, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 191 S. Halsted St., next to McDonald’s — Touch a Truck community event at the PSC Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics Building will give the community the chance to explore and touch trucks, emergency response vehicles, heavy machinery, and more. The event will feature a horn-free hour, for those who may experience noise sensitivity, beginning at the start, from 10 to 11 a.m. Hot dogs, chips, and water are included on a first come, first served basis. Admission is free, and RSVP is requested at prairiestate.edu/cdl.
For a complete list of events for Homecoming Week, visit prairiestate.edu/events.