An event to always remember

Homecoming plans featuring a ‘Soaring Through 40 Years’ theme are coming to a close as the event approaches.

“We’ve got a great homecoming planning committee that’s been working for months now,” said Jennifer Skinner, student development specialist. “All the calendar is pretty much ironed out and all the details are getting wrapped up.”

Homecoming events are scheduled to be held Oct. 3 to 8.

Skinner said the planning committee is working hard to make this homecoming an event to remember.

“It’s the only 40th anniversary homecoming celebration we’re ever going have,” she said. “We want (students) to have an opportunity to make memories, especially during homecoming.”

University student and co-homecoming committee Chairwoman Melina Reyes said planners are revamping homecoming and are trying to make it more of what the students want.

Reyes

“We tried to get most of the students’ input this year of what they wanted to see and what could make it better,” she said.

Reyes said the theme commemorates the fact that the University is growing and moving forward.

“We wanted to incorporate the growth of the University as well as looking forward to the future,” Skinner said.

The fast approaching event is nerve-racking for student and marketing Chairwoman Julie Apoderado.

“I feel like there is a lot of pressure because this is UT Tyler’s 40th Anniversary,” she said. “It’s extremely important we get the word out.”

Homecoming week will include a range of events, including an outdoor pep rally, chili cook off and Patriot Idol.

Skinner said Patriot Idol is a chance for University students to showcase their talents on campus.

Additionally, the band “Nothing More” is set to perform Oct. 6.

The performance is sponsored in part by the Campus Activities Board.

“(It) should be a really good concert because they’re a really good band and I think the students will really enjoy it,” Skinner said.

The week of events is centered on students participation, she said.

Homecoming week will also include the first annual flag football game, as well as a gold cart parade and a movie night featuring “Transformers.”

Reyes said students don’t have to be a part of an organizations to compete in the events during spirit week.

“We really want our community to come together as a whole and have more spirit,” she said. “The more people that are out there, the more spirit we have.”

Reyes said she is looking forward to the events scheduled for Saturday.

She said the committee has planned a little more than normal.

“We’re going to bring back the carnival aspect of homecoming,” she said. “There will be little surprises that we have for everyone.”

Student and homecoming volunteer Chairwoman Amber Amerson, said she is most excited about welcoming the alumni back on campus.

“It’s our 40th Anniversary, so I really hope alumni come back and get to see the significant changes and growth that have taken place over the last four decades.”

To Amerson this year’s homecoming celebrates the progress of the University and all things yet to come.

“In the grand scheme of things, UT Tyler is relatively young, she said. “Therefore, our students, staff and faculty now really get to shape what the University will become.”

She said she believes the planned homecoming events will set the bar for the future.

“Getting to see homecoming festivities now and comparing them to when you come back as an alumni is a special experience we want for all of our students,” she said.

Amerson said she believes students should attend homecoming simply to have fun.

“We’ve been working really hard to give students and alumni a week packed from day to day with fun and entertaining activities and events,” she said. “They will have a blast and be creating solutions to boredom in the process.”

Amerson said she has been impressed with how the campus has come together to make this year’s festivities happen.

“We have lots of Patriots interested in helping out with homecoming,” she said.

However, Apoderado said the committee is still looking for volunteers to help run all the events planned.

Skinner said people who have contributed this year have done a good job planning and making sure the information is out there.