Groups work together for Homecoming 2012
The 2012 University of Indianapolis Homecoming will take place throughout the first week of October and will have new activities for both students and alumni.
One of the additions to this year’s Homecoming is Hound Pound Late Night, an activity resembling the tradition of Campus Program Board’s Midnight Breakfast, which will help establish new relationships on campus, according to Associate Director of Athletics Matt Donovan.
“The coaches and student-athletes will obviously be a part of that event to help create a good relationship with the students and get everyone excited for the Homecoming week, because that will basically kick off the week,” Donovan said.
Donovan said that students also will receive a free Homecoming t-shirt in exchange for an old UIndy t-shirt, which will be donated to a local nonprofit.
“You bring a college shirt, and you give that shirt, and you will get your Homecoming shirt. And those shirts [the donated shirts] are actually being given to Damar Homes, which is an organization that helps children and adults who have special needs,” Donovan said. “So that’s kind of a neat thing that we’re obviously conducting.”
Another new feature of this year’s Homecoming is the Greyhound Village, a small carnival that both students and alumni, along with their families, can enjoy prior to the start of the Homecoming football game.
Natalie Cummings, director of Alumni Relations, said that the new event, which was suggested by a focus group of alumni, hopefully will attract many former graduates of the university.
“It is a fun, family-oriented activity the afternoon of Homecoming day,” Cummings said. “It features a carnival with a variety of games and inflatables targeted to kids of all ages. So alumni can bring their families with them and enjoy kind of a fun day on campus.”
Cummings said that the day will feature a cover band, and alumni will have the opportunity to reconnect with former classmates, faculty, staff and current students.
“We have a lot of fun things planned, and there are a lot of details that have gone into it, but I think we will make it a really exciting and fun day,” Cummings said.
Another contributor to the development of this year’s Homecoming, Student Activities Coordinator Stephanie Barry, said that this year’s Homecoming will feature activities for everyone.
“This year, there are a lot of events that kind of attract anyone. So if you’re not really into sports, we’re fortunate that there are theatre productions that week. So if they’re interested in going to the theatre productions, we have that,” Barry said.
Barry said that finding something for everyone has always been a goal of the Homecoming board in the past, but this year will be the first time it becomes a reality. She hopes it will get almost everyone, both students and alumni, involved.
“We’ve tried in the past to hit upon it, but I think there is something for everyone, and obviously we go here for education for service and we like to do service, so we kind of have that component throughout the week, too,” Barry said.
The 2012 UIndy Homecoming activities will begin on Sept. 29, and conclude with the Homecoming football game on Oct. 6.
