Daily Staff Writer

Veishea 1996 will officially begin today at noon, south of the Campanile, during the opening ceremonies.

It will include a short speech by Shellee Novotny and Mark Lee, general co-chairs of Veishea 1996. President Martin Jischke will also speak.

ISU torch runners who began the annual torch run from Prairie Du Chien, Wis., last Sunday will be introduced to the crowd.

Novotny said last year’s opening ceremonies were attended by about 100 people. She hopes for an equal or better turnout this year.

Lighting of the Veishea torch will also take place during opening ceremonies. Thomas Hargrove, 1996 Veishea grand marshal and ISU alum who was held in captivity by Marxist guerrillas in Columbia for 334 days, will be the keynote speaker at the event. Hargrove’s speech is titled, “Return from the Valley of the Shadow.”

Hargrove received a Ph.D in agricultural education from ISU.

Opening ceremonies should last about 40 minutes, and in case of rain, they will be held in the Great Hall of the Memorial Union.