The Greatest Homecoming on Earth is approaching, and as always the CAES will host the greatest welcome-back-alumni cookout on Earth during its annual CAES Homecoming Celebration.

This year, the celebration is 1-3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6, on the lawn of B.C. Webb Hall. In store are fun games; door prizes; great food by Abrams Inc. of Tarboro; entertainment by DJ Courtney Lawrence (Class of 2009); and, as always, the opportunity to reconnect with old friends, faculty and students. The CAES also will have a table for donations to the college and/or the department or program of your choice.

All campus faculty and staff are also encouraged to bring non-perishable food donations to support a CAES Food Pantry being established for students. Donation boxes will be onsite for each of the four academic departments.

Please pre-register online through your CAES alumni web page. Alumni can show up without reserving in advance — but those who do so online will be privileged with a first-class “boarding pass” for seating, and for the buffet line.

This year’s gathering revolves around the theme, “The CAES Difference.”

“We will share the many ways your College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences makes strides, steps up to challenges, and keeps pace with 21st century change, making a positive difference across North Carolina through relevant research, Cooperative Extension outreach, and academic programs that serve industry and society,” says Dr. Antoine Alston, associate dean for academic studies and chair of the CAES homecoming committee.