Sunday, September 21 more than 250 students hit State College, passionately trying to give back to the community Penn State students love so much.  The students gave their time to seven different spots from 10 am to 3 pm.  The sites were THON mat cleaning, Shaver’s Creek, Boal Mansion Museum, Mount Nittany Conservancy, Best Buddies, writing letters to the troops, and State College Food Bank.  The volunteers enjoyed there day of giving back to the community and doing good deeds.  They helped out with everything from grounds keeping, to organizing food, and even tie dying shirts with Best Buddies.  One volunteer, sophomore Erica Lorin said, “The experience was very rewarding.  I felt really good after writing letters (to the troops) and helping with the food bank.  I am so glad I got to help out.”  Volunteers were also rewarded with blue day of service t-shirts, water, and soft pretzels.  The Day of service was a huge success, exceeding the anticipated 200 volunteers and boosting student’s excitement for the upcoming Homecoming events.

Day of Service was planned by Homecoming’s two AVP’s, who have been helping out with the Homecoming experience for months now.  The AVP’s have also successfully planned a captain workshop, for all of the captains to get to know each other and break the ice, as well as captain Olympics, to keep the morale of the captains up and enjoy a day in the sun.  The events included fun games such as potato sack races and dizzy bat and conversation builders such as building a balloon tower.  The events were a success and helped all captains get to know and love each other before a busy year took off.  For more captain bonding, the AVP’s also implemented the committees mission statements and committee of the week, to let the other captains know whats up with everyone else.

The AVP’s are also responsible for keeping in contact with the Interfraternity council as well as the Panhallenic council (in other words, Greek life).  They hope to maintain smooth relations with the Greek community so that Homecoming can be a fun and successful week.  The AVP’s do a great job to get everyone excited about Homecoming and all it has to offer!!

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University Relations brings Penn State athletes, like the football team, to events around campus.

You have seen them in East for the East Halls Celebration, recruiting new organizations, and bringing the athletes to you. They are…University Relations.

University Relations is responsible for making sure that every group, every person, from every different part of the school is represented in the Homecoming celebration. From the New Organization Information Workshop to the Parade, they work hard so that anyone who calls Penn State home can have a chance to celebrate it Homecoming week.

The main goal of University Relations is to make sure YOU have an opportunity to get involved and excited about Homecoming. This year’s committee is organizing the first ever Past to Present Homecoming Celebration in the HUB on Tuesday, October 14th. They are also the ones holding the workshops for all of those new organizations out there that are anticipating their first ever Homecoming celebration. So, whoever you are, whatever you wear, do, or enjoy, University Relations is putting their best foot forward to make sure you have a great Homecoming experience!

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The Shreyer Honors college students check their float before the parade.

Wondering who is keeping everything in order for the big homecoming day?  The parade committee has been hard at work for months to secure the route and make sure you have a great homecoming experience!  Although they have decided to keep the same route as last year, they are hoping to bring back the legends float and make several other exciting additions to the parade. 

            Parade also selected a very exciting emcee.  Johnny Bananas, one time cast member of the real world, will be the host for Penn State’s Homecoming Parade.  Parade is also trying really hard to make the big day go nice and smooth.  The drivers of the floats will be attending a workshop to ensure safety for everyone there.  Parade’s biggest goal is to stay organized for a successful parade day.  They have been contacting VIP”S and legends, making sure organizations meed guidelines, and a lot more.  Make sure your organization keeps up with Parade so that you have a successful homecoming too!!

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Did you know that Penn State boasts the largest alumni network in the country, capping at over 460,000 living graduates? As a Penn Stater, you’re a member of the biggest collegiate family in the US, and Homecoming is a great time to celebrate your pride with hundreds of thousands of your family members! The Alumni Relations (AR) Committee is working hard to ensure that graduates have a great weekend. “We want [alumni] to be just as excited about Homecoming as they were when they were first year students,” Alumni Relations Overall Samantha Kulp said. Along with the Alumni Association, the AR Committee is working to make two past Homecoming favorites even better this year: the Student/Alumni Ice Cream Social and the Alumni Tailgate Contest.

What could be better than eating free Creamery ice cream with the Nittany Lion and Penn State cheerleaders? Come out to the Hintz Family Alumni Center for the Student/Alumni Ice Cream Social on October 17 from 1:30 to 4:30 to meet past and present students, try your luck at winning prizes, and indulge in the famous PSU tradition of eating from The Creamery. After all, eating Peachy Paterno ice cream was ranked #50 on Sports Illustrated’s list of 100 Things You Gotta Do Before You Graduate, so come out and check that off your list!

Any proud alums that know their tailgates are something to brag about should consider entering the Alumni Tailgate Competition! Held on Saturday, October 18 before the Homecoming game, tailgates will be judged and prizes will be rewarded! Participants can register on the Homecoming Website starting Monday, August 18th.

Alums, what’s your favorite part about Homecoming? Let us know and we’ll be sure to feature it on the blog in the fall!

Save the date:

Student/Alumni Ice Cream Social- Friday, October 17 1:30-4:30 pm

Alumni Tailgate Competition- Saturday, October 18 before the Homecoming game

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Marching through the streets of State College you see them.
Walkie talkies in hand.

Homecoming security makes events like the parade smooth and safe.

They are the officials.
They are the enforcers.
They are…
The 2008 Homecoming Security Committee.

Stopping the cities of State College and University Park is no small task. Working with the Police Departments, the State College Borough, CATA and various University officials, the Security committee must work hard to ensure that Homecoming 2008 runs smoothly by rising above the tough standards required by all parties involved. Permits and approvals, signatures and stamps - everything must be authorized, confirmed, and approved before any float rolls down College Avenue.

They are there to protect not only students, but also faculty, returning alumni, families, and members of the State College community. Almost 400 committee members will be in attendance on parade day for the protection of these parties. They are also in full force for all of the Homecoming sponsored events to ensure a safe week for everyone.

This year Security was also in charge of the Captain Olympics in the spring, and will be planning new captain events in the fall. These events allow the 100+ Homecoming Captains a chance to relax and unwind during the weeks before Homecoming.

If you are interested in being one of the protectors, the elite, the red shirts - stay tuned for updates about when you can sign up!

Kyle Thomas - Homecoming 2008 Security Overall Chair

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Did you know that Homecoming is more than just a weekend event? While the Parade and football game culminate the Homecoming experience, there is so much more to see!

Throughout Homecoming Week, Penn Staters young and old are treated to a variety of events put on by the Special Events committee, including Airbands, Nittany Pursuit, Raise the Song Band Bash, and the Pep Rally. This year, Special Events has been working hard to make the events bigger and better, so come out and make sure you don’t miss some of the best events of Homecoming Week!

Last year's airbands winner, The Lion Ambassadors, presented a musical performance telling all about Penn State history.

Airbands is one of the most popular and anticipated events each year, and this year it is going to be even better! During Airbands, student groups compete for points by choreographing and lip syncing to their favorite songs.  Special Events is cooking up some fun surprises and lots of laughs, so it is important to come early and get a good seat!

Nittany Pursuit (a campus-wide scavenger hunt) is another fun event. This year’s activities will be challenging and action-packed, so get excited!

The Band Bash is a competition between student bands. The winning band will get the amazing opportunity to perform on stage at THON 2009.

The Pep Rally closes Homecoming week’s festivities before the big game, and is sure to excite people of all ages! The cheerleaders, Blue Band, and sports teams will be there to pump everyone up for Saturday’s game against Michigan! At the conclusion of the Pep Rally, we will crown the 2008 Homecoming King and Queen!

Special Events has been working really hard to ensure that you will enjoy all that Homecoming week has to over. So come early, be loud, and get excited for the best Homecoming week you’ve ever had!

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Have you heard about Homecoming 2008? Of course you have! Because Homecoming 2008’s Public Relations committee has been hard at work to make sure you get the whole story on Homecoming.

This year PR will be upping the use of their Street Team, who you will see hanging around campus and getting you pumped about all of Homecoming’s festivities. You will also be seeing more promotions in the surrounding areas around campus, including in front of McLanahan’s and other downtown businesses. Public Relations has also been working hard on a new mode of Internet communication for alumni, students, and friends with the Technology Committee called a “blog” (which you are reading right now!)

Homecoming Night Out on October 15th has also gotten help from PR with the selection of three amazing bands. They have also been working hard on Homecoming’s annual blood drive, courtesy of the Red Cross. Keep a look out for flyers and banners in the fall about these events and others or talk to a member of the PR Street Team when you see them around campus!

PR has also secured radio sponsor, 3WZ, and television sponsor, WTAJ in order to help promote the fall Homecoming events to the rest of the Penn State community. Make sure to tune into them during Homecoming week to stay up to date on all that is Penn State Homecoming!

Public Relations has been spreading the excitement to make sure you know all about Homecoming and have a great time.  Listen up and they will give you the word on Homecoming!

For more Homecoming events go to the Homecoming Calendar

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The clanking sound of change and rustling of dollar bills can only come from one group of individuals, the homecoming finance committee of 2008. This year’s finance committee has dedicated themselves to the glory of homecoming by doing the first ever Homecoming fiscal report, which will require a complete financial analysis of Homecoming 2008.

The finance committee is excited to announce the expansion of the merchandising outlets, so more students can get cozy this fall in their Penn State homecoming gear. The committee has also been working hard on making homecoming’s finances more transparent to the rest of the organization. They also hope to increase university-wide involvement in homecoming and expand each homecoming event. You can thank the finance committee for thinking of you first when it comes to fundraising, merchandising, and the overall homecoming experience! Here are a few events that the Finance committee has set up for Penn State enjoyment and fundraising!

Homecoming Night Out-

Café 210

Sunday, September 18^th

(8PM to close)

Homecoming Cold Stone Fundraiser          

Cold Stone

Monday, October 6^th

( 6PM- 9PM)

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It is well known that Penn State has one of the richest senses of tradition in the world. Just like this past weekend’s Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts (more commonly known as Arts Fest), Homecoming is a celebration that ignites the passion and glory of Old State in all of its alumni, students, and fans. As we have just passed the 100 days till Homecoming mark, I felt as though we needed a reminder as to why we are celebrating such a great tradition.

The tradition for alumni to return to Penn State was started shortly after the Civil War in July of 1869. At that time, Penn State was known as the Agricultural College of Pennsylvania, and a new event called “Harvest Home” was established. The celebration was a bit different than it is today; complete with candles and lectures on agriculture (could you imagine if we did that today?) In 1869 almost 100 people arrived to celebrate, and like most Penn State traditions Harvest Home began to flourish. One year later over 2,000 came back to honor Penn State.

Penn State’s first Homecoming football game was played on October 9th, 1920 against Ivy League School Dartmouth. The Lions won 14-7, making head coach Hugo Bezdeck proud of the Nittany Lions. The tradition was then set in stone; we were on our way to an outstanding homecoming experience. Today, more than 130 years later, thousands of alumni and fans that come back to State College to celebrate, and it would be hard to imagine Homecoming without them.

Each year, a team of students works hard for their peers to make Homecoming the best it can possibly be. They work all through the Spring, Summer, and Fall to create the best experience possible, simply because they have such a love for their school and its rich tradition. The next few weeks, we will be thanking those people and learning more about what they are doing for us as well as what new things they are planning for Homecoming this year. As for now, get excited for a few of the upcoming events.

TailGreat
Saturday, August 30^th
9am-kickoff
Bryce Jordan Center

Homecoming Night Out
Thursday, September 18^th
8pm-close
Café 210

Homecoming Day of Service
Sunday, September 21^st
10am
Alumni Hall

For a list of more events, check out http://homecoming.psu.edu/calendar.php

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