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HOMECOMING
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2006
editor's note
Most people have some sort of tradition they carry on, whether it's with friends or family. While attending college, new traditions are added, especially when at the University of Kansas. From waving the wheat at sporting events to sledding down the Campanile Hill on lunch trays from Mrs. E's, those students who get involved with the University pick up these rare customs, making a big school like the University a lot smaller, like a family.
These fun activities continue by word of mouth, through family members that have attended here or of course by the event during Hawk Week called Traditions Night. But one of the reasons these traditions continue is because people keep coming back here. Students are fortunate to have alumni that stay active. They are typically seen at events such as Homecoming, where many tents fill the Campanile hillside, re-living their college days, grilling and sipping on a few beers.
Although this week is an event where we blatantly see these alumni, they do more behind the scenes that students aren't always aware of. KU officials have been labeling this University as "state-aided" rather than "state-funded" because the state of Kansas doesn't fund all the programs the University offers. So in order for all those to exist, the University relies on more private dollars, or in other words alumni. Not only should students thank them for
BY KRISTEN JARBOE
SPECIAL SECTIONS EDITOR
KJARBOE@KANSAN.COM
carrying on these sometimes goofy traditions, students should thank them for continually contributing back to the University.
As students it's important to remember that alumni contribute back here, especially when we walk down that same Campanile Hill to graduate. They do so much for students, and someday we will be in that same position and need to carry out this tradition. With Homecoming here already, it is easy to see that it takes a group of people to keep a tradition going.
The University Daily Kansan presents alumni, faculty, students and many others with the annual Homecoming special section. Read on to see the rich traditions still thriving and a schedule of Homecoming events for the rest of the week, with great photos and illustrations. Enjoy the section, go to the Texas A&M football game and be safe this weekend with the "family" surrounding you.
COVER ILLUSTRATION BY Jared Gab
INSIDE
Homecoming not your style? Check out this list of events for what else you can do on Saturday
DESIGNED BY
Drew Bergman and Jacky Carter
Floats are part of the KU tradition and require a lot
Alumni
cheerleaders will no longer be allowed to cheer at the Texas A&M Homecoming
game
table of contents
3 » Transitioning to KU
3 » Backstage for Homecoming
4 » Alumni cheerleaders' tradition cut
4》 Alumni band makes annual return
5 » Jayhawks past revisit memories
6 » Aggies tradition rivals Jayhawks
6 » Professors get into Homecoming act
7》 Parade prep starts with parade floats
7 » How to avoid Homecoming
8 » Calendar of game day events
9 » Freshmen look forward, seniors look back
9》 Families with Jayhawk ties
10 » What college is all about
10 » Some things you'll only find at KU
11 » What Homecoming means to transfer students
11 » Why did you decide to become a Jayhawk?
12》 Jayhawks from around the world
13 » Traditions of the University
14 » Business booms with Homecoming
HOMECOMING, BEST EVENT WHILE ATTENDING KU? Some say yes, others beg to differ
BY ADAM MOWDER
Students at the University of Kansas often cite Homecoming week as one of their favorite rituals to be a part of while attending the University.
The memories of participating in such Homecoming activities as float building, chalk art, and, of course, cheering at the Homecoming game, are all events that have ingrained themselves into the collective consciousness of many of the older KU students at the University.
For freshmen, who are as yet uninitiated into the fervor surrounding Homecoming, look forward to the week's traditions with almost unequaled anticipation. For many of them it will be the first time to ever feel truly at home in their new environment as they are surrounded by all the physical manifestations of school pride.
However, it is not always clear if these emotions will remain with the students after they have graduated from the University, or if the intense school pride associated with Homecoming will begin to ebb as students step into the real world. For some KU alumni, the latter option is definitely not the case.
Sara Koven, 2006 graduate cites the opportunity to re-connect with old friends as her primary motivation for attending the events. Her best friend and fellow 2006 graduate, Emily Klatt, is coming from out of town to participate in the festivities.
She also said that fond memories of the "KU spirit and KU pride" associated with the event
served a decisive role in her return.
"It was always nice to see everyone come together to cheer and enjoy the tradition," Koven said.
Kellie Johnson, a 2006 graduate, had slightly less profound reasons for coming to the events this year, listing good friends, good football and good beer as her primary reasons for returning.
Unfortunately, some alumni don't echo these sentiments.
For Sam Hendricks, a 2006
graduate from Lawrence, the Homecoming frenzy has never really had any appeal for him. His feelings on the matter haven't changed at all since graduation.
"I've never attended any Homecoming events at KU and why should I start now?" he asked.
He lists the responsibilities of his job as another reason for not wanting to join in on the Homecoming experience.
While it's yet to be determined how returning graduates' homecoming experiences will
stack up to those of previous years, most seem to think that their experience will be essentially the same.
When asked if she thought her experience would be any different as an alumnus, Koven said, "Of course it will be different, but when you're a Jayhawk, you're a Jayhawk for life."
Kansan correspondent writer Adam Mowder can be contacted at editor@kansan.com.
Edited by Jodi Ann Holopirek
THIS WEEKEND, THE HAWK WELCOMES KU ALUMNI PARENTS & FRIENDS!
The Hawk will be open hours before the game to serve your Bloody Mary needs
GO JAYHAWKS! BEAT THE AGGIES!
THE BOOM-BOOM ROOM.
THE MARTINI ROOM.
THE PATIO.
THE PINE ROOM.
87 YEARS OF TRADITION ONLY AT THE HAWK.
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