The Journal

Issue date: 10/12/06 Section: News

Media Credit: Ashley Gieseking Diane Jeffery (left) and Valerie Parker show up in style to Webster's Homecoming Trivia Challenge Oct. 6 in the Grant Gymnasium. Parker works in the development office and Jeffery works in administrative information systems.

Media Credit: Ashley Gieseking Doug Soderberg (right), an adjunct professor in the English department, discusses a trivia question with his friends at the Homecoming Trivia Challenge.

Whether it's Kansas or Webster University, there's no place like home - especially when the place you call home is the host for a celebration complete with games, food and reuniting with friends.

Webster's Homecoming 2006 was held Oct. 5 to 8 with a variety of activities and events around campus. All alumni, students and family members were invited. More than 700 people attended the various events throughout the weekend.

"Homecoming is a time for alums to come back and reconnect with Webster," said Billy Ratz, alumni programs coordinator. "Each year we try to make it more and more about alumni and current students coming together and getting to know each other."

This year's events centered around "The Wizard of Oz" for the weekend's theme, "There's No Place Like Home." The Homecoming Committee meets to come up with a theme and start planning the events a year in advance. Ratz said when Homecoming ends, brainstorming immediately begins for the next year.

Nick McGeehon, student chair for the Homecoming Committee, said the committee chooses a theme they can utilize creatively for decorations and events.

"We could build an image around 'The Wizard of Oz,'" McGeehon said. "It creates an image in your mind and is fun to play with."

The Alumni Association has been honoring the Homecoming tradition since 1923. Even though it may not have been called Homecoming, Webster has always had a yearly event to honor alumni.

The Alumni Office, Campus Activities, the Athletic Department and the Student Alumni Association hosted Homecoming this year, Ratz said. The Alumni Programs Budget pays for the events geared toward alumni, and the student activity fee goes toward events intended for current students.

The weekend began Oct. 5 with a screening of "The Wizard of Oz," complete with an appearance from Mickey Carroll, who played a munchkin in the movie. Dressing as characters from the movie was encouraged for this event as well as the remainder of the weekend. Prizes were awarded to the attendees at the movie screening with the best costumes.

Campus tours were given throughout the day Oct. 6. A trivia challenge was held in the Grant Gymnasium that night. The events gave alumni the opportunity to see changes on campus.

An opening reception was held at the John Allan Love Foundation Alumni House to honor classes between 1936 and 2001 ending in one or six. Alumni gathered outside for cocktails and appetizers. Entertainment included music, an ice sculpture and balloon animals.

"Homecoming is to celebrate school spirit and to bring alumni back to see new things at Webster," said Mary Krchma, development officer in the Alumni office.

Oct. 7 represented the biggest opportunity for alumni and students to come together. This was the second year for events such as the alumni versus students flag football game and the Harmony Concert. These activities were started in attempts to get current students more involved in Homecoming activities, McGeehon said. There also was a 1970s coffeehouse open mic night, where alumni performed music and poetry.

The weekend wrapped up Oct. 8 with a 5K Run/Walk open to the public and a reunion brunch for all alumni.

"We are really trying hard to make Homecoming something special for both students and alumni," Ratz said. "I go every year, first of all because I help plan it, but I would go even if it was not my job."

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