This week SRU is celebrating Homecoming. Organizations and clubs have various events planned for students on campus to participate in.
The events will start on Oct. 13 and last until Oct. 19.
Homecoming is a popular tradition at SRU that many individuals look forward to every year.
In the spring, the Office of Student Engagement and Leadership holds a vote for what the theme of Homecoming should be.
This year’s theme is A Very Vintage Homecoming.
“So basically, what that means is just that it’s celebrating everything SRU, past and present,” Aubrey Rader, Assistant Director of the Office of Student Engagement and Leadership said.
This past week, registered student organizations participated in traditions Paint the Town and Spirit Board Painting Party. This gives the organizations the opportunity to decorate the campus and town for Homecoming.
Some of the events happening this week include:
Monday Oct. 13 starts the first day of Homecoming week. The day will begin with a scavenger hunt, then in the evening, the University Program Board will be hosting Gaten Matarazzo to speak on campus.
Tuesday Oct. 14 is Rocky Rewind, an event including activities all about Rocky, as well as an appearance from the creator of the original Rocky, Bob Jones.
Wednesday Oct. 15 individuals can head to the ARC from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. for the Anime Rave.
Thursday Oct. 16 is the Pep Rally in the Quad from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Friday Oct. 17 The Archives at Bailey Library will be teaching students about the history of Homecoming. Later in the day comedian Jordan Conley will be on campus at 8 p.m.
Saturday Oct.18 is the Homecoming Parade. Individuals from various organizations will parade down Main Street. At 1 p.m. the SRU football team plays IUP, and during halftime, the Homecoming Royalty will be announced.
Michael Gauntner, a sophomore secondary education, social studies major will be in the parade with the Track and Cross-Country team. Gauntner spoke about how Homecoming events are beneficial for the students on campus.
“I think it’s a way to really bring everyone together and just kind of have this really festive mood, especially during or after midterms. [It’s] just a little sigh of relief, there’s still a lot of fun things going on, even though we’re seven, eight weeks into the school year so far. I just think it’s a really great way to bring campus together,” Gaunter said.
The SRU Theater Department will also be holding performances of their show Red Bike. Tickets are sold at sru.edu/tickets.
More events will be hosted throughout the week. Individuals are encouraged to check out CORE for the full list of events, information, times and locations.
“It’s right in the middle of the semester. So, I think it’s a good opportunity for students to take a break, and refresh and relax, and just do something fun…There’s just a lot going on academically, and so this gives an opportunity to have some fun and take a little break for this one week,” Rader said.
Not only are there various events held on campus, but Homecoming is also celebrated throughout the Slippery Rock town.
Roosters Coffee Bar released a specialty Homecoming drink called the Mocha Java Au Lait. The coffee shop announced they will be donating $1 to the Rock Pantry for every Homecoming drink sold from Oct. 6 to Oct. 19.
The SRU Starbucks will have various campus-themed drinks throughout the week, including Pride Perk, Lion’s Mane, The Rocky Mocha, Vintage Legacy Latte and Cinder and Spices.
This week individuals can also participate in Homecoming Spirit Week. The days include:
Monday- Dress to impress for Gaten visiting campus
Tuesday- Vintage SRU gear
Wednesday- Homecoming shirts
Thursday- SRU Club or Team
Friday- Green and White
