Four large red banners, each bearing a letter for CSUN, were hung in front of the Oviatt Library today.

A Grand Reunion will be held this Saturday on the University Quad welcoming students both past and present to commemorate CSUN’s 50th anniversary. This reunion will be the homecoming that many alumni are anticipating.’

Larry Twersky, president of the Alumni Association, says that this ceremony ‘will be the single largest gathering of Northridge alumni.”

Twersky is expecting 2,500 to 5,000 people in attendance this weekend for the reunion.

This special event will have tents for over 30 groups, organizations, fraternities and sororities to host and meet alumni. Former students excited about the reunion can revisit their alma mater or meet with old friends. For those who can’t attend, the reunion will be having a live streaming web cast and Twitter feed for people to follow.’

‘I’m totally excited that we can provide these venues for alumni,’ Twersky said.’

Some alumni are even helping to prepare for the event like Alumni Relations Associate Director Shellie Hadvina, who is a second generation CSUN graduate. Hadvina is currently communicating with past students to inform them of the event. She’s been using emails, social networks and Twitter to get the word out.

‘I’m excited,’ Hadvina said. ‘I know a lot of my friends are coming back because [they’ve] contacted me.”

The reunion will have several activities throughout its duration. For six hours, the attendees will be able to eat, mingle, tour the campus and participate in other exciting ventures that will take them down memory lane.’

The campus itself, which changed dramatically over the past five decades, will be toured walking or by trams. What was once squash fields and orange groves has been transformed into one of the nation’s largest regional universities.

‘I think a lot of people haven’t seen the campus in a long time and will be shocked by how much we’ve grown and will be proud of what we’ve become,’ Hadvina said.

For those who haven’t seen the campus in a while, they will be in for a real treat.

Oviatt Library, which will be opened later than usual, will offer tours as well.

Mike Villalobos, the library’s circulation services supervisor, will be leading the tours. Villalobos will take people through the history of the library, which was ravaged by the 94′ quake and has since been renovated and modernized. Once a CSUN student himself, Villalobos is ‘looking forward to reconnecting with his past.’ The library will be open until 7:30.’ ‘ ‘

Besides the tours, CSUN will briefly bury a time capsule to commemorate the university’s 50th anniversary and continue the tradition. It will be opened in 25 years in April 2034.

This weekend will have lots more events in store and is open to the entire CSUN community. Tickets are now on sale; $10 for adults and $5 for kids.