Memphis State University - DeSoto Yearbook (Memphis, TN)

Page 23 text:

Delta Gamma placed first, Alpha Gamma Delta second and Sigma Phi Epsilon took third. For the first time in several years, the Homecoming game was held in the afternoon. Gray skies over Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium reflected the feelings of the Tigers who had been defeated by the University of Louisville Cardinals. While a football was not placed in MSU ' s horn of plenty, the fruits of Harvest Homecoming ' 77 were evident to all. Memories were made, old ties renewed, and a bond between students was established. Left: Taking first place for the women, Leann Wilmot leaves less energetic spectators behind at the Mini-Marathon. Top: After viewing the iewelry, pottery and other curios, Cynthia Palumbo and Jay Wright consider which cactus is right for them at the Arts and Crafts fair. Above: For the first time mechanical voting booths were used to collect Homecoming Court votes. Limelight 19

Page 22 text:

Saturday morning, the Homecoming Parade took the Tiger spirit to the streets. A caravan including colorful floats, TOM the Tiger, high school bands and the MSU Mighty Sound of the South marching band followed a route along Central, Highland and Walker Avenues with MSU president emeritus Cecil C. Humphreys as grand marshal. Alpha Gamma Delta and Lambda Chi Alpha took first place in the float competition. UP Fashion Board placed second. A banner contest sponsored by Residence Hall Association was held to intensify spirit. ' • Above: Talent show participant John Pence demonstrates slight-of-hand with the queen of hearts. Above right: Following a rendition of Evergreen , guest soloist Don Sheffield joins in the excitement at halftime of the Homecom- ing game. Right: The air vibrates as the Symphonic Wind Ensemble performs a Stevie Wonder medley. 18 Limelight

Page 24 text:

An Era Comes to an End; Elvis Presley Dies at Age 42 Memphis made a painful dis- covery this summer: how it feels to lose a son. And like a bereaved mother, Memphis mourned. A legend came to an end August 16, sometime between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. where it should have — in the Graceland mansion. Elvis Presley was dead, a victim of car- diac arhythmia at the age of 42. Shock waves echoed throughout the city and the world. Everyone clung to the hope that it was not true, it couldn ' t be. But slowly, the awful news was absorbed. An estimated 200,000 people held a tenacious vigil outside the gates of Graceland, brought together by their love for Elvis. The legend began January 8, 1935 in a modest house on the out- skirts of Tupelo, Miss., where twins were born to Gladys and Vernon Presley. Perhaps the death of one of the twins at birth caused Gladys to develop a deep bond with the surviving twin named Elvis that lasted past her death in 1958. Regular attendance at the First Assembly of God Church in Tupelo was stressed to Elvis by his mother. It was in the church that Elvis developed a taste of gospel music. It remained an un- dercurrent of his singing style. Elvis later attributed his famous hip gyrations to the preachers who cut up all over the place. At age ten, when most boys spend their time pretending, Elvis was becoming a reality. With an emotional rendition of Old Shep he placed second in the Mississippi-Alabama State Fair talent show. Above: In his concert at Alexandria, Louisiana, Elvis performs Love Me Tender, the theme of his first movie. 20 Limelight