Homecoming week is coming to light once again during the week of Oct. 27- Nov. 1.USAO’s Student Activities Board (SAB) along with many other organizations around campus have big plans for homecoming with activities and event for students to partake in. Homecoming week is going to be a busy week with multiple chances to get involved around campus including athletic events, art shows, and activities for students each day.
This year, Homecoming week is taking on some new challenges for the community of USAO including dress up days. Each day of the week is a chance to showcase outfits for the assigned themes.
- Monday (Oct. 27) is Tie-Dye Day
- Tuesday (Oct. 28) is Rock’n’roll
- Wednesday (Oct. 29) is Western Wednesday
- Thursday (Oct. 30) is Flower Power, wear your best 70’s wear.
- Friday (Oct. 31) is Halloween Costume/ Drover Gear.
Monday
During passing periods on Monday, Oct. 27 from 9-11 a.m., there will be donuts being transported around the Oval by a golf cart courtesy of the SAB called Donuts in the Oval. To get a donut of your own, keep an eye out for members in their blue shirts.
Tuesday
The Decorate Your Own Hat event will take place in the student center lobby during lunch and dinner hours on Tuesday, Oct. 28. SAB will be hosting this event to decorate your own cowboy hat for the upcoming basketball game celebrating homecoming on Saturday. Be sure to sit in the student section with your hat and show your Drover spirit.
Wednesday
On Wednesday, Oct. 29, join the community for root beer floats over a warm bonfire during the Bonfire and Float into Homecoming event from 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Bill Smith Ballpark Softball field. Be up to date with the weather in case of a change of plans by SAB.
Thursday
The Davis-Waldorf Performance Art Series (DWPAS) is hosting the Chicago Tap on Thursday, Oct. 30, with a tap performance in the Te Ata Auditorium in Troutt Hall at 6: 30 p.m..
“They’re a vibrant dance company with unique mission to preserve the quintessentially American dance form of tap,” said SAB Homecoming chair David Orgas about Chicago Tap.
Along with this event, the Drover Drive-in at 8 p.m. on Thursday at the Oval for an outdoor drive-in style movie theater.
Friday
On Halloween night, Friday (Oct. 31), from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., there will be Trunk or Treat on campus. Visit this spooky and fun-filled event at the Oval, where every club is invited to set up a booth to pass out tasty treats. There is also an off-campus event at downtown Art Wrecker on Friday. Creature Feature is an event designed to encourage people to show off their costumes during a runway show judging that starts at 6:30 p.m.
Additionally, there is a women’s volleyball game on Friday at 6 p.m. in the Fieldhouse against Oklahoma Panhandle State.
Saturday
For Alumni, Saturday Nov. 1 will be a busy one for you. The Scholarship event is a scholarship donor development where donors can meet with scholarship recipients at the President’s home at 10 a.m. The Annual Business Meeting at 1 p.m. is an open alumni meeting that will be held to discuss financials for the association and scholarships.
The Hall of Fame Gala is at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. It is an alumni event that is open to anyone wanting to attend requiring pre-registration and a ticket, which costs 60 dollars. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m., and they will be welcoming a new alumni member into the Alumni Association at this gala event. This is a fundraising event for operating expenses and money for alumni scholarships. They will also be celebrating the 60-year anniversary of the name change to Oklahoma College of Liberal Arts (OCLA) from Oklahoma College of Women in 1965. It is a diverse change that has welcomed many in the past 60 years and hopefully more in the future.
“It’s just exciting to see all these different eras of the university get to come together,” said Whitney Palesano, Director of Alumni Relations and University Development.
Gather at the memorial event at 2:30 p.m. in the chapel to honor and remember those that have passed among friends, alumni, faculty, staff, and any members of the community. Feel free to say a few words about the honored or silently appreciate them by attending.
There is a Tailgate Party from 11 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday in the Fieldhouse parking lot. There will be games, food, drinks, and activities. Pull up and park trucks for a tailgate hangout with a nacho bar on meal swipes and beer garden for people of age. There will be a contest for best dressed in Drover gear with voting on Instagram.
“USAO has such a big community, whether that be for sports or campus wide events, I think it gives these people something to do and a reason to be together,” said Cameron Roberts, Student Life Coordinator.
Look at the show hosted by Emmo Maddox at 3 p.m. on Saturday. Un-Herd is at the Nesbit Gallery (first floor of Davis Hall) and is made to showcase art that is inspired by animals who are born into their roles and perform them unquestioningly; human beings can consider their impact on the world around us. Audience members can illuminate details of the pieces with given flashlights to get a full scope of details for this explored environment. Along with this display of art is a 3rd Floor Gallery at 3 p.m., located on the 3rd floor of Davis Hall, that is a mix of students and alumni art.
To finish the week, the men’s basketball game starts at 3 p.m. on Saturday in the Fieldhouse against Barclay College, along with the presentation of the Homecoming Court. The Crowning of homecoming court will be taking place during halftime. Show your spirit in your Drover gear and custom-made hats in the student section. There is also a women’s volleyball game on Saturday at 1 p.m. in Fieldhouse against Wayland Baptist. There are many opportunities to go out this week and support your fellow students.
Becca Gibbins is a first-year communication major at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma.
