Letters to the editor: Student and administrative support brought Homecoming success
Issue date: 2/6/09 Section: Ed-Op
The weekend of Jan. 23-25 marked the return of Drexel University Homecoming. At a school with a historically apathetic student body, we should all feel pride that this Homecoming was a success, and largely for students, by students.
The Drexel Traditions Program's executive council began planning the revival of Homecoming in spring 2008, with the help of major campus groups, administration and alumni. Despite several snags, the commitment of undergraduates, the Traditions Program, the Annual Fund, Student Life and Alumni Relations kept the initiative alive. With so much support, the major aim of the Homecoming shifted from a small-scale operation targeting only undergraduates, to a weekend that ultimately incorporated events for the entire Drexel community, past and present.
Several traditions were reinstated, including the banner competition in the Main Building and the spirit of the "Drexel Lodge" in the form of a tailgate event, thanks to support from the Student Life Administration. The headline men's varsity basketball game featured a victory on the court as well as in the stands thanks to the Greeks Pack the DAC, Alumni Relations and Drexel Athletics efforts.
In addition to bringing back the old, the modern campus atmosphere inspired the dance party - which was entirely student-run, and one of the largest student fundraising efforts in Drexel's history. Generosity and support from the Lebow College of Business contributed to the huge success of this event, which filled the Armory with over 2,000 guests.
Homecoming 2009 is a foundation for bigger and better events to come. Perhaps more Drexel traditions will be incorporated in years to come, and once-popular celebrations will again be common celebrations shared by undergraduates and alumni.
In years to come, when current undergraduates don the title of alumni, I hope they return to Drexel's Homecoming and look back with pride that they were here when the landmark university experience of a homecoming was revived. I hope they'll appreciate the efforts made for a student-focused initiative, and next time they have the vision of a looming "Drexel Shaft" they'll instead focus on the positive example of student-administration collaboration like that which resulted in Homecoming 2009.
Michael Colligan
Traditions Program Executive Council
Senior, Business
The Drexel Traditions Program's executive council began planning the revival of Homecoming in spring 2008, with the help of major campus groups, administration and alumni. Despite several snags, the commitment of undergraduates, the Traditions Program, the Annual Fund, Student Life and Alumni Relations kept the initiative alive. With so much support, the major aim of the Homecoming shifted from a small-scale operation targeting only undergraduates, to a weekend that ultimately incorporated events for the entire Drexel community, past and present.
Several traditions were reinstated, including the banner competition in the Main Building and the spirit of the "Drexel Lodge" in the form of a tailgate event, thanks to support from the Student Life Administration. The headline men's varsity basketball game featured a victory on the court as well as in the stands thanks to the Greeks Pack the DAC, Alumni Relations and Drexel Athletics efforts.
In addition to bringing back the old, the modern campus atmosphere inspired the dance party - which was entirely student-run, and one of the largest student fundraising efforts in Drexel's history. Generosity and support from the Lebow College of Business contributed to the huge success of this event, which filled the Armory with over 2,000 guests.
Homecoming 2009 is a foundation for bigger and better events to come. Perhaps more Drexel traditions will be incorporated in years to come, and once-popular celebrations will again be common celebrations shared by undergraduates and alumni.
In years to come, when current undergraduates don the title of alumni, I hope they return to Drexel's Homecoming and look back with pride that they were here when the landmark university experience of a homecoming was revived. I hope they'll appreciate the efforts made for a student-focused initiative, and next time they have the vision of a looming "Drexel Shaft" they'll instead focus on the positive example of student-administration collaboration like that which resulted in Homecoming 2009.
Michael Colligan
Traditions Program Executive Council
Senior, Business
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