Festival of Flight Golf Cart Parade | Photo by Jessica Fugett | The Wright State Guardian
Homecoming at Wright State University (WSU) is an opportunity for students to engage with their community in a positive way. This year, WSU is taking additional steps to ensure that activities are more inclusive and engaging.
Promoting inclusion
National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) Vice President Dai’Shanae Moore coordinates events for WSU’s University Activities Board (UAB). She collaborates with many student organizations and plans activities that will be inclusive to everyone.
“I am super excited about The NPHC Yard Show as well as the Parade, Chili Cookoff and Bonfire because you will see so many of our clubs, organizations and alumni all in one area celebrating each other and impressing each other since the beginning of the pandemic,” Moore said.
Student Involvement and Leadership (SIL) Associate Director Debbie Lamp is also looking forward to the NPHC Yard Show.
“All the different chapters have their own dances (strolling) and they each do a routine. It means something to them and is really fun to watch. They are really talented,” Lamp said.
SIL Office Manager Dylan Collison highlights WSU’s gender-inclusive Homecoming royalty as another way in which WSU is becoming more focused on inclusion.
“The court and royalty are both determined on campus involvement. Gender is not a contributing factor. The ratio of traditional men to women is not a contributing factor at all. The point is to be inclusive to all,” Collison said.
Promoting Engagement
In addition to promoting inclusion, leaders at WSU hope that Homecoming will spark a passion for campus involvement. SIL Graduate Assistant for Student Programs Doniska Taylor believes that the crown of the Homecoming court represents a bigger message.
“The crown shows that someone is engaged with students. It is setting a standard for student leadership and shows a level of pride within one’s institution (WSU) as well. They set a criteria and there is a certain level of excellence when you look at this student,” Taylor said.
Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement Brooke Leppla helps to coordinate events to help WSU alumni maintain their campus engagement. This year also marks the 50th Anniversary of WSU’s Alumni Association.
“I think sometimes there is a stigma that we don’t do much on campus for homecoming and that couldn’t be farther from the truth for both our students and alumni. Participating in campus events helps to build pride in our school and help build connections,” Leppla said.
This unification of alumni and current WSU students is another prevalent aspect of Homecoming. The notion of older and younger generations of Raiders networking, sharing experiences and having fun is what Homecoming is all about.
“It has been a rocky ride post-COVID, but we are really excited to welcome everybody home,” Collison said.
Monday, Sept. 27
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Chalk the Campus
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Homecoming Kickoff
Noon | Sashing the Court
TUESDAY, SEPT. 28
Sept. 28 – Oct. 1 | Raider Pride Door Decorating Contest
6 – 8 p.m. | NPHC Yard Show
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 29
3 p.m. | Pins of Pride
3 p.m. | Wright State Men’s Soccer vs. Milwaukee
3 – 7 p.m. | Operation International
7 p.m. | Don’t Forget the Lyrics
THURSDAY, SEPT. 30
5 – 6 p.m. | Homecoming Parade
6 – 10 p.m. | Bonfire and Chili Cookoff
7 p.m. | Royalty Coronation
FRIDAY, OCT. 1
All Day | Wright Day to Give
All Day | Spirit Day
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.| College Radio day
8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Foundation Committee and Board Meetings
7 p.m. | 50th Anniversary of University Housing & Live Band Karaoke
6 p.m. | 2020 & 2021 Alumni Achievement Awards*
7:30 p.m. | Trivia Night
Saturday, Oct. 2
9 a.m. | Wright State Alumni Association Board Meeting
10:30 a.m. | Legacy Scholarship Brunch
3 p.m. | NPHC Plot Ribbon Cutting
4:30 – 7 p.m. | NPHC Reception
6 p.m. | Pep Rally
6 p.m. | Sapphire Jubilee
7 p.m. | Wright State Men’s Soccer vs. Robert Morris
For more info on events and locations, visit WSU’s homecoming website >>
