Homecoming is a time full of events giving some a reason to come back to the university they call home.
Homecoming 2015 will take place from October 12 to 17 while also marking the university’s 90th anniversary.
For many, the week of Homecoming is a time of fun but none of the events would be possible without the people and departments who help sponsor them. Activities like Gumbo YaYa and other Homecoming traditions happen with the help of sponsors, such as Student Government Association and the Alumni Association, which is the overseeing department of Homecoming.
“The Alumni Association actually originates and executes Homecoming for the university,” said the director of the Alumni Association Kathy Pittman. “The student group, as you know, is headed by Student Government Association, and they do the student activities. Then we [Alumni Association] do all the community and alumni activities. We put these together with a huge committee of about 30 people that are representative of the alumni, community and students.”
Pittman also did not forget to mention all the people who were instrumental in helping Homecoming come together this year.
“In particular, we want to very much thank our sponsors,” said Pittman. “We have two sponsors of Homecoming, our FeLions, which is a lady’s alumni chapter group and also Alpha Sigma Tau who is celebrating their seventy-fifth anniversary. So, those are our two sponsors for Homecoming as well as Student Government Association who has done a fantastic job in the sponsor of all the student activities.”
While the Alumni Association helps to put on Homecoming as a whole, they also have one specific event they put on by themselves.
“We work as a group to put on lots of events,” said Pittman. “We only have one specific Alumni Association event, and that is our Alumni Awards evening, which happens each, as a tradition, on the eve of Homecoming. At that time we give out awards to the individuals that have just gone above and beyond and succeeded in their particular fields. This year our Alumnus of the Year is Colonel John Whidden who is a PhD, an MD and a colonel in the special United States Army forces. He has done all sorts of very interesting work, and that evening he will give a talk on what he’s been able to accomplish.”
Along with the Alumnus of the Year, the alumnus gives an award for one who is younger and has gone above and beyond.
“We also give a Young Alumnus Award to an individual that is 35 years old or younger that has done something outstanding, and this year’s young man is Mathew Magneson,” said Pittman. “The colleges also give a number of other awards and we do too.”
For more information on all the events held during Homecoming week, visit the Southeastern website or contact Pittman at 985-549-2150.