Anyone who has attended a Homecoming event at Southwestern knows how entertaining the weekend can be- and not just for alumni! In addition to fun and games, the weekend also enables SU alumni to reconnect with each other as well as with current students. According to multiple historical accounts, Southwestern held the first Homecoming on record in April 1909, and this special tradition is scheduled to continue this year from November 4 to 6.

A fun event to note is the SU Splash, a new-and-improved series of activities to replace the Homecoming Cup on Friday evening, according to sophomore Madeline Carrola, the student coordinator for Homecoming,

“SU Splash will consist of three water- based activities– a relay, basketball, and a much- loved battleship canoe competition,” Carrola said. “ In addition, we will have another activity going on at the same time as Southwestern Splash, something channeling television game shows, like Jeopardy or Family Feud.”

Afterward, Carrola and SPC are planning Southwestern’s first dive-in movie, during which students and alumni can view The Shallows in or around the Robertson Center pool.

Students can also join in tailgating, beginning at 9:00 AM, followed by the Homecoming Parade at 11:00, before our Pirate football team takes on Trinity University on November 5. Southwestern Pirates of all ages and organizations participate in these events, and this year we commemorate the 100th anniversary of our Pirate mascot.

“The pre-game activities are a great way to raise school spirit! There’s an activity for everyone, and it really builds community,” sophomore Homecoming Chair B.G. Leadbetter said.

Finally the annual Homecoming Party will take place on Saturday night, held on the Academic Mall. This year the party will feature live music by the band SkyRocket!, food trucks, a TapSnap photo booth, activities, and more.

Also, look out for President Burger’s Thinking Symposium, featuring Tivy Nobles Whitlock ‘91, a preview of the 2016 Brown Symposium, and the 16th annual Jameson 5K. For a full schedule of events, visit the “Alumni” tab at southwestern.edu.

“My favorite part about Homecoming weekend is reconnecting with alumni and having the opportunity to catch up with them,” said senior Student Foundation President Caitlin Schneider.   

In the same vein, Leadbetter noted, “I love visiting with all the alumni that return. They have such wonderful stories to tell about their experiences at Southwestern, and I enjoy learning from them.”

“As a member of several student organizations on campus,” Carrola mentioned, “It’s great to meet the people who have come before you and to learn about their experiences and contributions to Southwestern.”
So, while Southwestern’s Homecoming provides an invaluable opportunity for alumni to celebrate and reconnect with classmates and friends, it’s also a great way for current students to network with and learn from former students with similar experiences.