Homecoming week to be filled with activity

September 24, 2008
By Brittney Meyer
Student Life Writer

It’s that time again. Fall is approaching quickly, bringing with it the Homecoming tradition.  Homecoming activities start Sept. 29 and extend to Oct. 4. The 2008 Homecoming theme is “Pardon Our Dust,” intending to celebrate the changes being made on campus and to welcome new additions arriving at UIS.  

Festivities kick off with a pep rally and bon fire at 9:30 p.m. by the pond, on the northeast side of campus, on the 29th. Voting for homecoming court starts on Tuesday, Sept. 30 in the PAC main concourse and goes until Friday, Oct. 3.

The SAC is sponsoring a “construct your own spirit wear” event to support the UIS Prairie Stars, at 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Also on Sept. 30, there will be a speed networking reception between 5-7 pm in the Sangamon Auditorium Lobby open to all students, alumni, and local businesses. Advanced registration is required to attend this free event. This event is held by the Career Development center. To secure your spot go to www.uiaa.org/spfld and click on "Speed Networking Experience" or call phone 217/206-7544.

On Wednesday, Oct. 1 there will be a Mashed Potato sculpting event  open to anyone held on the PAC patio between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Later that night at 7 p.m., the UIS women’s volleyball will play University of Missouri St. Louis in TRAC. Finishing Wednesday will be the Neo-futurists presentation in Brookens Auditorium at 9:30 p.m. The Neo-Futurist event is an interactive performance that last about an hour.

Thursday, Oct. 2 is when the heat is turned up with UIS current students vs. UIS alumni basketball game at the TRAC at 7. Another performance will be that of stand-up comedian Alexandra McHale, who will appear in Brookens Auditorium at 9:30 p.m..  Some students make recognize her from “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,”or “The Late Show with Craig Kilborn,” or maybe even be her friend on MySpace.  

The last day to vote for your 2008 Homecoming king and queen will be Friday at 1 p.m., with the winners being announced later at the dance. The dance, which will have a DJ, is at 9:30 p.m. in the SLB Gym. The gym will be decorated according to the theme and is semi-formal for those planning to attend.

There are many activities on Saturday, Oct. 4; one highly anticipated event is “Band day.” It will bring together the UIS band, along with bands from local high schools. Practice and events are held throughout the day for the participants leading up to the third annual UIS Parade.

Before the parade is the breaking ground and tour of Founders Hall beginning at 1 p.m. The Homecoming parade starts at 5 p.m.  Many clubs and organizations have a float for the parade. Candy will be thrown from the floats as it moves at a sluggish rate. It should take about a half an hour, and then the attention is moved towards the east side of the Kiwanis Stadium for a BBQ and Lawn Party. Free Homecoming t-shirts will be given out in addition to food.

The grand finale will be the UIS Men’s soccer game against Williams Baptist College, followed by a fireworks display.

So are all of these homecoming events planned worth attending? According to student Joanna Butterfield, who has been at UIS for three years, says “Homecoming is one of the best things at UIS. I enjoy the free shirts and food.”