The students have spoken, and they want the Plain White T’s at their homecoming. UIndy will host another homecoming concert and this year’s featured artist will be the Plain White T’s.
The pop band, known for its chart-topping hit, “Hey There Delilah,” is getting ready for the release of its new album, “American Nights.”
UIndy Director of Student Activities Stephanie Barry said she is excited about some other activities during homecoming week as well. She said that students can look forward to a bigger and better parade with more floats, zip lining and tailgating. Having a punk-pop band is something new to campus, but it does not look like this will be the only time.
“I think the show is going to be the starting point for UIndy,” Barry said.
This summer the Campus Program Board and the Homecoming Committee conducted a survey asking students who they would like to have at the concert. Students were asked to rank their top three favorites from the list. Out of more than 1,000 responses, Plain White T’s won with 70 percent of the votes.
“It makes me feel good that we were able to get the No. 1 choice of students,” Barry said.
CPB Major Events Chair Regina Spielmann is responsible for marketing the concert. Spielmann who participated in creating the survey conducted this summer, said she was also excited with the response.
“. . . It’s one of the biggest bands we’ve had on campus in a long time,” Spielmann said. “And I think the aspect that the students got to vote for who they wanted to bring is really cool and gets the students excited because they get to see who they wanted, which doesn’t really happen a lot.”
According to Spielmann, all groups involved wanted student input.
“[In the past] we’ve picked these people with not a lot of input from the students,” Spielmann said. “So having their input makes me really excited. It’s going to be a good time. Everyone is going to want to be there and make the most of it,” Spielmann said.
According to Barry, there will be more intentional reaching out to students and getting feedback. Students can contact CPB or the Indianapolis Student Government with opinions concerning student life.
CPB will be more strategic in what its doing to make sure that it fits the needs and wants of the students. From development of the student senate last year, ISG has been able to make improvements based on what the student body wants.
“I think this year’s homecoming is better than it has been in the past years I’ve been involved,” Spielmann said. “We’re continually growing and expanding upon homecoming and honing in on the importance of it. The students are into it more than ever. So [we are] making sure that we keep the momentum going, making each year better and better and outdoing ourselves year after year.”
Spielmann added that the planning committee is going to have to plan more strategically for next year because it has made this year so much bigger than the past years. She said that this homecoming has set the bar very high for the future, and outdoing this year will be hard work.
“I have hopes that they’ll blow this year out of the water,” Spielmann said.
Homecoming week is Oct. 20-25. Doors to the concert in Nicoson Hall will open at 8 p.m. on Oct. 23, and the concert will begin at 9 p.m. Tickets may be purchased online at the Event Ticketing Center. UIndy students, faculty/staff, alumni, and community members are all encouraged to attend. Tickets prices are as follows; $5 for UIndy students, $10 for faculty/staff or alumni and $15 for the general public.
