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KANSAN.COM / THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN / MONDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2010 / NEWS
9C
Committee keeps homecoming on track
Events come together with help of committed group of students
BY ALLISON BOND editor@kansan.com
Planning for Homecoming Week is a year-long process that the Steering Committee—composed of 15 students and two advisors—is in charge of. With applications and interviews in November, students work to set up events in which the student body, alumni and the Lawrence community can all participate.
Caitlin Wise, senior from Mulvane, has been involved in
the Steering Committee since her sophomore year. Now director of the Committee, Wise Since again gets to see the final Output of current students, returning alumni and the Lawrence community coming together
during Homecoming Week to encourage personal involvement in KU history. A fight song contest is being held to update the classic "I'm a Jayhawk" lyrics after two Big 12 teams announced plans to leave the conference.
"I am so excited that the fight song contest winner will be announced during homecoming," Wise said. "I almost cried when we found out. It's a perfect fit."
Once Homecoming Week starts, the Steering Committee's responsibilities are far from complete.
to enjoy Homecoming Week
"I love homecoming." Wise said. "My favorite thing about KU is its tradition, and for one week I get to see everyone come together in school spirit."
"I am so excited that the fight song contest winner will be announced during homecoming, I almost cried when we found out."
With a roughly $20,000 budget, students work hard to host several annual events that students and the community can get involved in. This year's main sponsors, Coca-Cola and Sprint, along with KU Alumni Association support and special donors, helped the Steering Committee create a budget that will build events such as the annual parade down Jayhawk Boulevard.
"We try to keep the traditions of homecoming intact so we can look forward to them annually," said Nikki Epley, homecoming advisor.
A new event is also taking place
CAITLIN WISE Committee director
Gina Littlejohn and Kristopher Nielsen, copublicity chairs, update Facebook, Twitter and FAQ pages where students can ask questions about the week's activities.
"There is an
event for everyone — free food and free events, secret giveaways. It is a great and exciting way for new students to learn what KU is all about." Littlejohn said.
Although most involved with the Steering Committee are new to their positions this year they are committed to bringing the best homecoming experience to the alumni, students and community.
"We chose our road trip theme this year because we wanted to grasp the idea of alumni traveling to KU and the students' journey in their education and experience here at KU," Nielsen said. "It is about bringing everyone together and having something for everyone."
Edited by Sean Tokarz
Meet the 15 members of the Homecoming Steering Committee
Director
CAITLIN WISE Mulvane senior
Parade Chairs
Awards chairs
MICHAEL ROCKFORD Kansas City, Mo., senior
PAIGE BLEVINS Great Bend senior
MATHEW SHEPARD Norton senior
KATIE LAW Hutchinson senior
Publicity chairs
GINA LITTLEJOHN Lenexa senior
KRISTOPHER NIELSEN Leawood senior
Community outreach chairs
CASEY BRINER Flower Mound, Texas, junior
TALI DAVID Lincoln, Mass., senior
CHELSEA STIEB Springfield, Mo., junior
ZACH VITZTUM Hays senior
Campus outreach chairs
MADELINE JOHNSON Overland Park senior
ZACH MINGO Garden City junior
MEG RUGGIERI Denver senior
LIZ SPERBECK
Eden Prairie, Minn., junior