The U of A community celebrated Homecoming from Oct. 18 through 21 and though the Razorbacks didn’t get a win on the Gridiron, the slate of events, including new events and old traditions had everyone excited.
“Whenever we sat down with all of the different campus organizations to talk about Homecoming, we were trying to figure out how we could involve the most students, but also community members,” said Hailey Hoog, vice president for Associate Student Government.
Traditionally the event involving the community has been the Homecoming parade, but students felt they did not have the capacity to pull off the parade and looked for an alternative event, Hoog said. That event turned out to be the “HOCO Party on the Mall.”
“Anytime you bring people together with music and food and fun goodies people will show up. I think it was really successful,” Hoog said. “I think going forward we have a good spot to jump of off for how we can keep getting the community involved and bringing people back.”
Mary Skinner, director of Student Activities agreed with Hoog.
“The HOCO Party was a great success. The event was attended by several hundred people, including students, staff, faculty and many families from the community,” Skinner said. “The weather was perfect, and everyone enjoyed some food and music before attending the pep rally. And the fireworks that followed the pep rally were amazing.”
“I think that the people the Homecoming Party drew in stuck around for other events that went throughout the night, like the fireworks and the (NPHC) Step Show that evening,” Hoog said.
“We wanted something to draw people to the Homecoming Pep Rally, and since the parade was cancelled, we thought what else would be fun that would involve our students and involve families and the community,” said Quincy Spencer, director of New Student & Family Programs. “Everybody loves Fireworks, so we figured out how to make it happen.”
It took a lot of logistical planning with Transit & Parking, UAPD, Alumni Association and others. “This event gave us a chance to not only program for our students but also for the community here in Fayetteville,” Spencer said.
“It was amazing. I knew it was going to be good, but it was really good. It was a full show with preset music,” Spencer said. “I think after we review the events from this year, we will see what we liked and didn’t like and see how we can make it bigger and better next year. So, I think it will become a tradition.”
The National Pan-Hellenic Council Step Show, which has been a Homecoming tradition, was an excellent show of African American Greek organizations’ dance and choreography. All of the U of A NPHC organizations took part in the show, which was well attended.
“Our NPHC Homecoming Step Show Competition was a huge success. With standing room only, more than 650 people enjoyed a cultural night of traditional stepping and dancing,” said Parice Bowser, assistant vice chancellor for Greek Life. “This truly was one of the most well attended Homecoming events. I am beyond grateful of the UA community’s support, as well as students and alumni who came from near and far to watch our Divine Nine chapters put on an amazing show.”
“This was my first time participating in the step show, and it was so much fun,” said Chrisanne Powell, NPHC director of special events. “This step show gave me and my sisters of Delta Sigma Theta an opportunity to work together, grow together, and create memories! The turnout was also very good, many students and family members came to support, and the room was full of love.”
The Lambda Theta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. won first place; The Kappa Kappa Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. won second place; The Kappa Iota Chapter of Alpha Kappa Sorority, Inc. won third place.
Karina Wickham is the student director of RSO outreach for SOOIE and a support specialist for Student Activities. She helped plan some of the events for Homecoming, including the large boards that were painted by RSOs and other organizations and placed on the Union Mall.
“We wanted a better way to showcase RSO’s during Homecoming. The large plywood boards painted by the students was a fun way to show off those organizations,” Wickham said. “It went very well and it’s something I think we will look at doing in the future.”
Wickham also had a hand in planning the Local Legends on the Mall events on the Thursday and Friday of Homecoming week, which featured The Catfish Hole, Penguin Ed’s BBQ, Rick’s Bakery, Nellie B’s, and Feltner Brothers.
“Local Legends on the Mall was really good. It was two days of having different restaurants and bakeries and other vendors from Fayetteville come and share certain portions with people,” Wickham said. “That got people really excited and we ended up having lots of people on the Union Mall for a couple of days.”
“Razorback spirit was high during Homecoming week. There are so many great efforts to reflect back on – Local Legends, spirit boards, HOCO festival, Pep Rally, the new addition of fireworks, and the NPHC Step Show,” said Jeremy Battjes, vice chancellor for student affairs. “I look forward to the future! Thanks to everyone who collaborated on these events to make this an enhanced experience for our students and community.”
Photos: Nathan Kesner
