THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
MONDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2012
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MURAL SPOTLIGHT
KANSAN FILE PHOTO
Murals are displayed on Wescoe Beach for a mural contest as part of last year's Homecoming Week. The mural that received the most donations was the winner of the "People's Choice contest," and all donations went to the United Way.
CLASS DIFFERENCES
GENERATION GAP
Senior and Freshmen KU students experience Homecoming in different ways
Freshman perspective
ALLISON KITE
akite@kansan.com
Homecoming. A year ago, the word meant something completely different to current KU freshman. Sure, high school homecoming instilled school pride, but this year homecoming takes on a whole new meaning. As Annie Matheis, a freshman from Overland Park and a member of Student Union Activities, explained it, "I actually really don't know what to expect because I know it's so different from the homecoming that we had in high school."
For most high schoolers, homecoming meant a football game and a dance. It was a time to celebrate their pride in their high school and to have a fun time at the dance. However, a college homecoming carried far more weight. Alumni return, students craft floats, and tradition is everywhere.
"All the alumni get to come in, and you're realizing how many people have been through KU and have been where you are and are cheering for the same thing that you are, and they are so in love with something that you're so in love with," Matheis said. This makes homecoming a time to reminisce about the University's past as well as a time to look toward the future.
This is especially true this year, because the University is celebrating its homecoming centennial.
Emma Hogg, a freshman from Overland Park, is excited to see the differences between a college and high school homecoming.
"I'm looking forward to all day activities on Saturday and seeing what all KU has to offer that I didn't get to experience at my high school" Hogg said.
Many freshmen, including
Hogg, get involved with homecoming for the first time through Greek life. Though she doesn't know exactly what to expect from the week, Hogg has heard nothing but good things about homecoming from the upper-classmen in Pi Beta Phi.
Mary LeRoy, a freshman from Leawood, looks forward to being on the float committee for Chi Omega.
"I hear that it is really competitive among the sororites and fraternities," she said.
Although they can speculate and ask questions about homecoming to upperclassmen, the freshman class won't really know what homecoming means until they get the chance to experience it.
Edited by Sarah McCabe
Senior perspective
The weeklong celebration known as homecoming invites all current and former jayhawks in a collective show of KU pride. It is an especially monumental time for the University as it celebrates the 100th homecoming since the 1912 football game against the Missouri Tigers.
dvedder@kansan.com
DANE VEDDER
For seniors, this centennial might be the last homecoming they will ever see, the last chance they will have to show their school spirit as a student. Despite this, the large majority of these students that have never participated in homecoming before will likely remain uninvolved, depending on their affiliation with certain student groups.
According to the University website, many homecoming events are separate for those in a fraternity or sorority and those who are not, in which student groups can contribute their time and money toward the betterment of the University. Greek life draws the vast majority of student involvement for homecoming, and has left some like Ammara Siddiqi, a senior from Wichita, wondering why she should get involved.
"I don't know much about homecoming, especially because KU doesn't seem to advertise or explain its purpose very often," Siddiqi said. "I've never really seen the point in participating if I'm not in a sorority."
The different goals among student groups have effectively distanced these two populations within the homecoming celebration, but prove that student involvement is often a result of group efforts rather than individual interest. In other words, students are less likely to participate if they have no association with clubs or Greek life.
the same for people in Greek life and those who aren't. I think it's more of a commitment thing." Rasmussen said, "For example, the clubs that are not Greek-affiliated don't have as many opportunities to work on a homecoming float as we do, so it's understandable that some people won't participate."
Joe Rasmussen, a senior from Prairie Village, Kan., has been participating in the homecoming events with his fraternity, Delta Tau Delta, since freshman year. "The events are basically
The eventful week of homecoming is an important one for many fraternities and sororites, as it is an opportunity to welcome back former chapter members and to gain prominence in the university community.
Regardless of your affiliation with the campus community, Jayhawks of all ages are invited to celebrate Kansas' 100th homecoming with several events leading up to Saturday's parade and football game against Texas. For those interested in getting involved in the centennial, a full schedule of homecoming events can be found on the University website.
Edited by Whitney Bolden
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
CAMPUS
Family Weekend reconnects loved ones
Senior Nicole Peterson eats dinner with her mother, Jennifer, during Family Weekend last year.
BRET IVY
bivy@kansan.com
This year, homecoming and Family Weekend will coincide on Oct. 27, welcoming parents, siblings and other loved ones to the University to participate in homecoming festivities. For many students, family is one of the most important aspects of their college careers.
Family Weekend gives students an opportunity to reconnect with their families after time spent away at school. Nicole Peterson, a senior from Independence, said she enjoys participating in homecoming traditions with her loved ones during Family Weekend.
"My parents, my brother and his wife usually come up for Family
"My family means everything to me," said Miranda Smith, a senior from Neodesha. "I wouldn't be ready to graduate if it weren't for them. They have kept pushing me and encouraging me, and I'm where I'm at today thanks to them."
Weekend," Peterson said. "We go to the game, go shopping and grab dinner on Mass. Street."
With Family Weekend falling on homecoming this year, whole clans of Jayhawks have the opportunity to come together.
For students like Peterson, whose family is filled with University graduates, Jayhawk pride is a part of family tradition.
"My family going to KU had a pretty big impact on my choice of
school," Peterson said. "Both of my parents are alumni, and my brother attended as well."
Edited by Joanna Hlavacek
FLASHBACK
HOMECOMING MURALS
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
A student from 1976 working on Homecoming painting display.
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