THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2011
BLAST FROM THE PAST
PAGE 7
Returning home again
For alumni,homecoming offers chance to see old friends
STELLA LIANG
editor@kansan.com
Homecoming is a tradition that involves both alumni and students. Both groupsplan and participate in it collectively. However, although each group participates in the same week of festivities, their attitudes and emotions are often very different.
Alumni who participate generally have sentimental reasons.
"Homecoming is still a special time for alumni because of the chance to see old friends, visit favorite spots on campus and in Lawrence, and soak up the energy of campus life in the midst of the busy fall months," said Jennifer Jackson Sanner, the senior vice
president of communications for the KU Alumni Association.
Some alumni use this week to reflect upon enjoyable memories from college.
"Obviously nostalgia is a huge factor for alumni," Sanner said. "For students, Homecoming is just one example of the traditional college experience that makes KU so appealing."
For many students, Homecoming is not as emotional. A student attends the game or makes a float simply because it's part of the college experience.
For some students, the college experience includes participating
in some of the activities of sororites and fraternities.
Annual membership: $55 single or $65 joint.
"Im in Gamma Phi Beta so I'm going to be participating in making the float and anything else that my sorority decides to do," said Hanna Curtis, a freshman from Overland Park. "It's fun to get to know everyone since it is such a big school."
Whether someone participates just for fun or for nostalgic reasons, homecoming is enjoyed by many people in both groups.
"It's impossible to determine whether alumni or students enjoy homecoming more," Sanner said. "The tradition is important for many different reasons."
Edited by Sarah Champ
Recent grad: $25 single or $30 joint! Recent grad memberships are available for the first five years after completion of the last KU degree.
Jayhawk Generations: $15 annually. Sign up your kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews for this annual program. We'll follow your fledgling from birth to high-school graduation and send him or her KU goodies along the way.
Jayhawk Society: $100 single or $150 joint. Jayhawk Society is a premium level of annual membership. For their additional commitment to the Association, Jayhawk Society members receive additional benefits.
Life membership: $1,000 single or $1,500 joint. Life membership is a premium level of membership. For their exceptional loyalty to the Association, life members receive additional benefits. Life members can also further their commitment by joining Jayhawk Society as well.
Life membership installment plan: $83.33/month single or $125/month joint, in 12 easy payments.
Student membership; $25 for a one-year membership or $75 for four years (a savings of $25). Future alumni can join the Association as well. Student members join at reduced rates and enjoy their own benefits and discounts.
Retired faculty and staff: $25 single or $30 joint. The Endacott Society allows retired University faculty and staff to enjoy the benefits of Association membership at reduced rates. Endacott Society members gather weekly for book clubs, potlucks, gardening clubs, continuing education programs and more.
▶ Gift membership: Give a gift you know they'll love. Memberships make perfect gifts.
KICKING BACK
Food, friends and drinks make tailgaiting central to game
Alumni to be given special seating for Homecoming game against Texas Tech
ELISE REUTER editor@kansan.com
Football. Floats. Tailgating.
Homecoming is a week of celebration in the tight-knit University community that brings together fans, both old and new.
Several events have been set in place for returning KU alumni. The tailgate, which takes place three hours before the football game, brings in between 400 and 500 alumni on average.
"Most alumni usually go to the parade or the Alumni Association
Tailgate. They have a tailgate for every game, home and away," said Coordinator of Student Programs Stefani Gerson.
For those interested, food and drinks will be provided at the Adams Alumni Center. Tickets are $10 before the event and $15 on the day.
Alumni will also be provided with special seating at the game on Saturday against Texas Tech.
Other events that are open to both alumni and the public include a $5 pancake breakfast four hours before kickoff and the
homecoming parade on Jayhawk Boulevard, three hours before kickoff.
Although Saturday holds many of the main events, there are many others open to alumni the week before the game.
Stuff the Bus provides an opportunity to reach out to the Lawrence Community, which is one of the central themes of this year's Homecoming, titled "From Lawrence With Love." Canned food donations from the event will be given to the East Central Kansas Economic Opportunity
Corporation, which helps local low-income families.
"Alumni play a huge role in keeping the traditions of KU alive. They bring school spirit they've had since their time at KU. Many alumni can recount Homecoming week from when they were students and enjoy partaking in it as an alumni as well," said Beth O'Neill, a senior from Topeka and homecoming publicity co-chairwoman.
Edited by Stefanie Penn
HOMECOMING SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
Stuff the Bus — 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. — Dillions on 23rd Street
Letters from Lawrence with Love — 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. — Dillions on
23rd Street
Jayhawk Jingles auditions — Jayhawk Jingles auditions — 5 - 9
p.m. — Adams Alumni Center
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26
Homecoming Tabling — 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Wescoe Beach
Monday Funday — 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. Wescoe Beach
Punt, Pass & Kick preliminaries — 4 - 6:30 p.m. Memorial Stadium
3 vs. 3 Basketball Tournament — 5-11 p.m. Student Rec Fitness Center
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27
- Homecoming Tabling — 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. — Wescoe Beach
- Resculpture/Recycling Drive — 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. — Wescoe Beach
- 3 vs. 3 Basketball semifinals/finals — 5 - 9 p.m. — Student Rec Fitness Center
- Punt, Pass & Kick finals — 5:30 - 7 p.m. — Memorial Stadium
- Magician Mike Super Sponsored by SUA — 7 and 9:30 p.m. — Woodruff Auditorium, Kansas Union
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28
- Office Decorating judging — 8:30 - 10:30 a.m. — participating offices
·Homecoming Tabling — 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. — Wescoe Beach
·Chalk 'n' Rock — 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. — Wescoe Beach
·Jayhawk Jingles dress rehearsals — 6 - 8 p.m. — Adams Alumni Center
-Homecoming Tabling — 10 a.m.-2 p.m. — Wescoe Beach
-Mural Contest — 10 a.m.-2 p.m. — Wescoe Beach
-Free Pizza Provided by Pizza Hut — 12 - 1 p.m. — Wescoe Beach
-Homecoming Food Fest/Jayhawk Jingles — 6 - 8 p.m. — Adams
-Alumni Center
THURSDAY. SEPTEMBER 29
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30
·Homecoming Tabling — 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. — Wescoe Beach
·Crimson and Blue Day — 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. — Wescoe Beach
·Appearance by Turner Gill — 12 - 1 p.m. — Wescoe Beach
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1
-Pregame Pancakes ($5 per person) — 7 a.m. — Adams Alumni Center parking lot
-Homecoming Parade — 8 a.m. — Jayhawk Boulevard
-KU vs. Texas Tech football game — 11 a.m. — Memorial Stadium
-Ex.C.E.L. and Homecoming awards — Halftime presentation — Memorial Stadium
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