The Triangle

Issue date: 1/23/09 Section: News

Media Credit: James Beideman

Drexel will host Homecoming, a weekend that includes a series of events hosted by the various student organizations, according to Jennifer Kaus, director for Budgets and Administration for Student Life.

"We want to make sure students understand this is a student initiative, and administration got behind us a 100 percent," Ari Winkleman, marketing chair of the Traditions Program and sophomore business major, said.

Kaus said different student organizations took ownership of an event, planned it and will execute it this weekend.

According to Madelaina D'Anella-Mercanti, president of the Traditions Program, and Winkleman, the program asked students what they wanted to do during Homecoming, and a dance party was the most common answer.

The Homecoming dance party Jan. 24 will feature DJ Jazzy Jeff and Mike Jones along with hip-hop/electronic band Chiddy Bang, which is composed of Drexel freshman, and Loyola University's G-EAZY, featuring Greg Banks, according to Winkleman.

"We are going to have these two huge screens, so people can text something and it appears on screen," Winkleman said.

D'Anella-Mercanti said they wanted it to be something Drexel is recognized for.

Homecoming will take place after the basketball game against the College of William and Mary, in the tradition of most other homecoming games, according to Winkleman.

He also said students put themselves to work forming a marketing team, putting up posters, handing out flyers, planning event logistics, manning security at the event and managing all different types of logistics.

This dance party is free for any student with a Drexel ID and $10 for Drexel alumni or any others with college IDs.

According to Winkleman, Monster Energy Drink and Honest Tea will be giving out free products, while raffles will be held for PhillyCarShare credit and free spring break trips from Red Eye Breaks.

"It's a really great event to bring back. It shows that Drexel has a history," D'Anella-Mercanti said.

She also said Drexel does not have a lot of tradition and the job of the Traditions Program is to bring back some of it to Drexel.

"The Tradition Program is fostering tradition that increases student pride," Winkleman said.

For the event, Winkleman and the Homecoming committee sought out sponsors including Mikey's American Grill and Sports Bar, Lebow College of Business, Drexel Business Services, The Fresh Grocer, USGA, The Traditions Program, Residential Living, Office of Student Activities, and the Alumni Association.

"We did everything we could to get the funding. It is a testament to how great Drexel students are at getting funding," D'Anella-Mercanti said.

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