It’s time to let the colors fly. Homecoming week is here.
Local favorite Jack the Dipper serves students ice cream as part of the Homecoming Kick-off. Photo by Jake Myers.
The first Homecoming Kick-off Event was Monday afternoon on the University Center Lawn. Local ice-cream favorite Jack the Dipper was on hand to satisfy the WCU sweet tooth, as well as the carnival-style desires of deep fried Oreos and funnel cakes.
And that was just the edibles.
“This event is new. Last year, I met with student groups and asked them what they wanted to see this year, and they wanted to see a kick-off event,” said University Center director Jeff Hughes. “I wanted to make sure this event was done right.”
The student groups involved in the feedback process included the Campus Recreation Center, Last Minute Productions, Student Government Association, Greek organizations, PEAKS, and freshman leadership.
Students enjoy one of the many attractions at the Homecoming Kick-off event. Photo by Jake Myers.
In the past, Homecoming Week was highlighted by Spirit Night (Thursday, Oct. 24) and the Homecoming Parade in Sylva (Friday, Oct. 25). However, Hughes took the initiative to bring Homecoming to the students and give them a reason to get excited for the end of the week football game against Elon.
Plenty of students participated much to the pleasure of the seventh-year UC director. Freshman experiencing their first WCU Homecoming probably won’t be too caught up in everything the campus is putting on, but upperclassman Kacy Brown embellished the week ahead.
“It’s an opportunity for alumni and students here to show school spirit that they haven’t shown before,” said Brown at the kick-off event. “It makes you appreciate your school. This is the one week everything is going on.”
“There is nothing to do in Cullowhee” shouldn’t be a phrase students use this week. Homecoming is a big deal for the Western Carolina campus and the university encourages that students come to all the events decked out in purple and gold.
You can check out the full Homecoming schedule here.
