Fall Weekend 2000 got off to an explosive start at midnight on Oct. 13 as a spectacular fireworks show culminated the joyous Midnight Mania celebration in the University's Sports Center. Alumni, students, parents, faculty and staff filled the Chase Family Arena to mark the official start of the men's and women's basketball season.

Earlier in the evening students had joined their parents and alumni in Wilde Auditorium to hear the queen of folk and blues, Odetta.

Early the next morning they were off and running with President Walter Harrison and Student Association President Mary Kurtz for the annual Campus 5K Fun Run. Later, '60s alumni, who were members of the Omega Kappa Delta, Lambda Phi Alpha, and Upsilon Xi fraternities, met for a picnic reunion on campus with brilliant fall foliage as the perfect backdrop. Parents were convening in Konover Campus Center for a presentation by the Office of Student Affairs.

A major highlight of the weekend was comedian Paula Poundstone's performance Saturday night at Lincoln Theater. She received an enthusiastic reception from parents, students, and alumni, especially with her comments directed at President Harrison and Associate Dean of Students Irwin Nussbaum.