In era without a homecoming queen, EXCEL award honors achievements
By Lindsey Haack
Kansas Correspondent
Some students viewed the concept of a homecoming queen as a sexist or stereotypical event. Others referred to it as high-schoolish. Many people shared the same opinion in the late 1960s, when the crowning tradition was brought to a halt.
In 1969, Overland Park senior Janet Merrick was the last blonde-haired, blue-eyed woman to reign as queen in Jayhawk land. Sound like a beauty or popularity contest? It might have been, but Merrick also had collected a long list of credentials: secretary of Greek Week Sing, secretary of the junior class, member of the Homecoming Arrangement Committee, chairman of KU-Y Student Faculty Group, listed on the Dean's Honor Roll, pompon squad member and Chi Omega sorority representative, to name a few.
While it seems plausible to say that Merrick's appointment was not the result of a popularity contest, most people believed that the tradition did favor beauty over brains, and they hoped to find another way of honoring students — equally.
In the late 1960s, people began considering whether they wanted to continue to recognize women in a way that put too much emphasis on physical appearance, and not enough on scholastic achievements, said Barbara Ballard, associate dean of student life and director of the Emily Taylor Women's Resource Center.
"The sixties were a time in history when students questioned old traditions, and they challenged them."
Barbara Ballard associate dean of student life and director of the Emily Taylor Women's Resource Center
"The sixties were a time in history when
students questioned old traditions,and they challenged them," Ballard said.
The final decision came when the homecoming committee stated: "It seems inappropriate in a multicultural environment such as a university to select one or a group of women to represent that community. The homecoming committee deems it more appropriate to recognize those who embody the academic spirit for which the community was established."
It has taken some time to accomplish, but Student Union Activities and the Board of Class Officers have established a similar award to honor those students excelling in various aspects of college life.
Homecoming 1996 will mark the sixth annual presentation of the EXCEL Award. This award will recognize two students, one male and one female, for their commitment to Excellence in the Community, Education and Leadership by giving them a $500 scholarship. The winner also will be expected to participate in campus leadership meetings and activities during the fall and spring semesters.
Teresa Veazey, Hesston senior and vice president for University relations at SUA,
said the award was better than a homecoming queen title because it acknowledged students on the basis of merit.
"It's not a popularity contest," Veazey said. "To be good in all of those areas, you have to be high-caliber. EXCEL is not just an award for somebody who has done what they've done for that year — they must meet certain criteria."
To be eligible, all applicants must be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student, maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 or better and submit an application and two reference forms adhering to the award's guidelines.
Choosing the best of the best requires a two-part process. An initial screening eliminates those students without a high enough GPA and also those strong in two of the areas, but lacking in the third. The personal interview accounts for the second deciding factor, in which the judging committee has a chance to learn more about the finalists.
Jessica McNickle, Ashland senior and a finalist for the award, said, "I'm excited. It's a chance for me to tell people what I'm about, what's going on at the University and what could be changed."
October 17,1996 The Hill
Homecoming
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