Homecoming 2007 kicked off Wednesday, Sept. 26 and will continue through Sept. 29, this year with the theme of "Viva las Homecoming." Alumni, current students and faculty are coming together to interact in a fun and light-hearted atmosphere.
This year's homecoming is also a reunion weekend for the classes of 1997 and 1982. Homecoming is a special time for these alumni, who have the chance to come back and see old friends and today's campus, which they may not have done since graduation. An alumna who wishes to remain anonymous said, "I would come back to see my old friends, but if my friends don't go I don't really have much reason to go. I think they need to have more enhanced activities and make it more interesting for the students as well as for the alumni."
That said, many alumni just want to see the campus, especially the construction endeavors that Geneseo has undergone in the past few years. Homecoming also gives many current students a chance to socialize and network during the Career Connections Breakfast on Saturday, Sept. 29 in the MacVittie Ballroom.
"I think Homecoming is great for alumni who want to keep the connection with Geneseo," said senior Joe Kotsis. "I love when all the alumni come back and visit the school."
Homecoming also offers a great chance for clubs and organizations to get their names out, with different competitions like a lip sync competition today at 7 p.m., a shopping cart float parade on Main Street on Saturday at 11 a.m., and a window painting contest that was held yesterday. Those organizations that are not allowed to fundraise have a fun way of winning cash prizes to go toward their organizations. A new aspect this year is the "Heaven's Above" exhibit taking place in Milne Library now through the end of the semester. The exhibit displays 30 backlit images of scenery captured by the Hubble Telescope.
"I'm really excited for this particular homecoming," senior Shannon Cox said. "This is the first one that I'm behind the scenes on. Since I am working for the alumni association, I get to see how everything comes together and all the work that goes into it."
Homecoming is also an exciting time for students new to the school. "I'm really looking forward to the Homecoming this year," sophomore Katie Gailey said. "I get to hang out with my suitemates and go watch the soccer game. It sounds like it should be a lot of fun."
Junior Sara Ramos shared her enthusiasm. "I'm anxious to the see the outcome of the soccer game," she said. "It's going to be different since this is the first Homecoming I've been to without a football game, but I think it will still be fun. The culmination of homecoming with fireworks is something I'm really looking forward to."
As part of the celebration, the women's soccer team will play Oneonta on Saturday, Sept. 29 on the Saratoga field.
This year, along with the traditional sports, Geneseo's first annual 5k run/walk will be a highlight of the weekend. The cross-country and track and field teams are sponsoring it with the hopes that it will become a tradition at the school, as well as generate funding for the teams. All the proceeds will go towards traveling to meets.
Even without the traditional football game that many students may be used to, Geneseo's Homecoming is integral to its tradition. It is a time when students, past and present, can come together and reminisce about all the fun and great memories they had while at school here.