Homecoming a lasting WU tradition
Since the 1930s, many things at Waynesburg University have changed. Dormitories have since been built and torn down. Sororities and fraternities have had their last hurrah. New educational and recreational facilities have been built. Even the school’s title has changed, as it is no longer recognized as “Waynesburg College.”
One thing, however, has remained a constant in the past 80-some years, and that is the celebration of homecoming.
According to Vice President for Institutional Advancement and University Relations Heidi Szuminsky, the purpose of homecoming is in the name-alumni physically “coming home” to Waynesburg.
“Homecoming is all about providing an opportunity for our alumni to come back to reconnect with each other, to reconnect with the university and to cheer on the Yellow Jackets,” said Szuminksy.
Based around a Saturday football game, homecoming weekend has been growing steadily, especially in the past few years. Szuminsky believes this is due to more campus events.
“In recent history, we have seen slow and steady growth in the number of alumni who come back,” she said. “I think that is a result of our increase in programming.”
There are two types of programming for homecoming weekend-that which is provided for the alumni, handled by Alumni Relations, and that which is provided for current students, headed by Associate Dean of Students, Pat Bristor.
Bristor said that by offering two types of programming for both groups, the weekend ends up being a larger success.
“When it comes to the alumni portion of homecoming weekend, Alumni Relations workers are the ones that are working with the alumni to come back and see the campus, the changes that have been made since they attended and to reconnect with old friends,” said Bristor. “Then there’s the current student part, which allows the current students to get involved and to interact with the alumni.”
Some of the current student programming being featured this year include Cram the Van, bingo, the 20th annual Homecoming 5k Run/Walk, a pep rally and WU Idol, which are all predecessors for the football game on Saturday.
For the alumni, there is a golf outing, the President’s Reception, JacketFest, an All Alumni Brunch and a Fifth Quarter Steak Cookout following the football game. Alumni are also invited to attend any of the weekend student programming, which increases attendance.
A characteristic that homecoming weekend truly enunciates is tradition. Not many things have changed since the original homecoming weekends held by Waynesburg College.
According to previous publications of the Mad Anthony Yearbook, the old sororities and fraternities on campus used to be heavily involved with the celebrations.
Parade floats were a staple in the event provided by each fraternity and sorority; and even after they were no longer a part of our university, Bristor said the clubs and activities continued the float tradition until they were too difficult to coordinate.
Another original homecoming event that has been adapted throughout the years was the crowning of a homecoming king. In the original 1930s yearbooks, there were only queens, or “Homecoming Sweethearts.” Today, both a queen and a king are crowned at halftime.
A Lettermen’s Dance was also part of the programming, but nights of dancing have since been replaced due to changes in culture and social interests.
Bristor said that in the past few years, Student Services has tried to keep things fairly constant as far as programming is concerned.
“With the traditions, you’re bringing more young alumni back,” said Bristor.
And for the Alumni Relations Office, both young and old alumni are always desired back on campus, according to Szuminsky.
“For anybody who works in Alumni Relations, Homecoming day is like Christmas morning. All of your favorite people, all of these Waynesburg graduates, come back,” said Szuminksy. “We think of these people as family, they’re certainly friends of ours, and we are always happy to see them again.”
This year’s homecoming weekend will begin on Friday, Oct. 7. Anyone interested in learning more about the history of homecoming can check out old yearbooks and newspaper publications in Eberly Library’s Trans-Appalachian room.