Homecoming at Truman State University has been a tradition since 1939, when it was started by the Blue Key Honor Fraternity and featured many of the activities still present today.
This year, Homecoming promises to be bigger than ever before. Homecoming activities are usually limited to fraternities and sororities, but Truman is making an effort to make this year’s event campus-wide. The week aims to provides an opportunity for alumni from across the country to return to Truman to participate in the celebration.
Each year, the different organizations compete to see which group can raise the most money for their chosen philanthropy. This year, all of the proceeds will go to Oasis and I Think I Can Foundation. I Think I Can Foundation says its mission is to provide local children with necessities like bookbags, clothes, food and hygiene products that will help them be more successful in school. According to its website, Oasis’s mission is to promote healthy and active lifestyles for people over the age of 50 with lifelong learning and volunteer engagement.
One organization new to the Homecoming competition is Cardinal Key. Clarissa Fennessey, senior, described Cardinal Key as an organization of 25 women with high academic standards and a love for service. One of the co-chairs for their Homecoming committee, Fennessey, talked about her excitement for the week.
“It’s changing to be more of a campus-wide activity instead of just a Greek activity like it’s been in the past,” Fennessey said. “I want people who aren’t necessarily involved in Greek Life to get out and get involved in Homecoming this year because it’s a really good way to get to know people, but also to get involved in your campus community. Celebrating Truman is what we all have in common. It’s just a really fun way to go out and celebrate the school and you.”
Tau Lambda Sigma, a social service sorority on campus, has been apart of the Homecoming activities since their founding in 1992. This year the members have been working really hard to make this Homecoming week great. Some of their fundraising events included selling walking tacos and Oreo balls. They have also created a Facebook page to encourage family and friends to donate to I Think I Can Foundation and Oasis. TLS will also be competing in the Lip Sync competition.
Junior Madison Bailey, a member of TLS, talked about the behind the scenes work that goes into Homecoming. As a Lip Sync liaison, Bailey was responsible for writing a script, selecting and cutting the music, choreographing, organizing costumes, making props, and running rehearsals. She said Lip Sync is only one aspect of the Homecoming celebration. Bailey emphasized the hard work and planning that goes into the whole week of activities.
The Association of Black Collegians will be participating in the Homecoming competitions for the first time. This organization is unique to the Homecoming experience because it is not considered a fraternity.
“This week was kind of hectic because we got a late start on rehearsals and were kind of lost at first,” said junior Chetanae Ellison, a member of the Association of Black Collegians. “A lot goes into preparing, especially on the organizational side. I’m excited to see the step show and also how Lip Sync turns out after all of the hard work that was put in.”
Events are scheduled throughout the week to celebrate Truman. The Student Activities Board has organized a performance by The Second City’s Improv All-Stars 7 p.m. tonight. Lip Sync is tomorrow at 7 p.m. in Baldwin Auditorium. The Homecoming Parade is 9 a.m. Saturday for everyone to attend. The pep rally and football is game this Saturday, with festivities beginning at 12:30 p.m. At 8 a.m. Saturday will be the Bulldog Forever Homecoming 5K.
Homecoming is open to all groups and organizations and with the new teams joining you can really see the bulldog effect this year.