Students, alumni, staff and faculty alike celebrated FMU’s annual Homecoming with a host of events sponsored and hosted by Student Life, the Student Government Association (SGA) and the Campus Activities Board (CAB) the week of Feb. 19 through Feb. 24.
Planning out such a large week was not easy, as it took months to be fully realized in the end.
“We brainstorm new ideas for Homecoming week during the summer break and throughout the fall semester,” Adrien McClintock, student life specialist, said. “We plan early to make sure we have all of our ducks in a row and make sure there are no conflicts with bands or entertainment once we get dates for the upcoming Homecoming week. We also like to make sure we brainstorm what students would like to see during homecoming.”
Kicking off the festivities was the Patriot Block Party on the UC Lawn, also known as Five Points. The first event was a showcase of the community as student organizations represented themselves along the walkways with tents and activities.
Much like the First Friday event at the start of the academic year, this event not only allowed these organizations to represent themselves but also boasted food trucks and live music. Musical rap group Free Daps entertained students with freestyle rhymes and roasts while students had a chance to mingle and socialize outside of their dorms and enjoy the start of Homecoming week.
Next was a comedy performance by Kelly Kellz on Feb. 21 sponsored by CAB. The performance was lauded by students and met with roaring laughter throughout. As Homecoming week was also the start of midterms, the comedy show provided a necessary relief to stressed-out students.
The night of Feb. 22 saw the annual Homecoming Bonfire sponsored by SGA. The event served to unify the student body and represent the diverse community in one big event. However, it was originally designed to help student athletes before the big Homecoming games.
“The Idea for a Homecoming Bonfire came from someone else years ago,” McClintock said. “The bonfire was put in place as a prep rally to help encourage the teams to do a great job in their future games and a chance for the coaches and players to be introduced to the FMU family.”
Since its inception, the bonfire has become a symbol of comradery and unity on campus. This year’s bonfire boasted a large crowd of students enjoying the food and overall environment created by Student Life and the SGA.
“It was one of the best we’ve had in a minute,” McClintock said. “Everyone was engaged and participated into trivia, s’more roasting and dancing to the music. All we want is to make sure the students having fun and want time stay at Francis Marion University as long as possible.”
Finishing off Homecoming week was the Alumni Tailgate followed by the Homecoming basketball games and the crowning of the Homecoming court.
Student organizations received yet another chance to represent themselves at the tailgate on the UC back lawn, but this time with an emphasis on tailgating and having alumni present.
“From hearing feedback, students and alumni thought this year’s homecoming was the best we’ve had since Covid,” McClintock said.
To solidify the success of Homecoming, both the men’s and women’s basketball teams won their respective matches against the King University teams from Tennessee.
During the halftime of the men’s basketball game, the Homecoming court was showcased in front of the audience. After campus-wide voting, Jay Miller was named the Homecoming King and Laney Pope the Homecoming Queen.
Student Life plans to continue making Homecoming bigger and better next year.
“I still hear people talking about how great Homecoming was,” McClintock said. “We are still open to more ideas we can bring, but if we bring the same energy we brought this last homecoming, it will become once again the most anticipated week FMU has ever had.”