Hallie Chastain

Editor

Mississippi University for Women’s Homecoming celebration is scheduled from March 30 - April 2.

There are many reasons why alums and families of The W are eager to return to their alma mater, especially when it comes to Homecoming. Anna Henderson Ogburn, Director of Alumni Relations and Donor Engagement, believes Homecoming is a time to allow the alums to reunite with their classmates and observe the changes on and within campus since their last visit.

“The purpose of Homecoming is for our alums to be able to come back to this campus that has a very special place in their history and relive movements that were significant things that happened to them while they were here on campus. Reunite with one another, share those stories and memories together. Revisit this campus and see the changes that have occurred in the years since they have been gone, which you know could be anything from somebody who’s been gone for a year or two to somebody who’s been gone for 50 or 60 years,” said Ogburn.

The events are not only for the enjoyment and socialization of alumni. It is also a time for The W students to learn and explore the history of the university through conversation.

“It’s 50 years since they were in Columbus and on campus and then to connect with our current students, you know, and find out what drives our current students,” said Ogburn. “What makes them tick, what their interests are, what they are studying, what they love about The W and find those commonalities between themselves and the current students.”

The purpose of the events during homecoming week is to bring people together to share their history. Last year was the first Magnolia Mingle, in which students and alums gathered to enjoy foods from local food trucks and live music and spend time together sharing their stories of The W.

“Our second annual Magnolia mingle is on Friday evening the 31st. We have six food trucks lined up. We already have our band secured. I’ve had a contract with them since July of last year. We are working on mapping out how we are going to set everything up but, we have plans to create a gathering spot for alums to be able to eat and visit on the porch of Shattuck this time and the front room of Shattuck which used to be the dining room,” said Ogburn.

“So, there’ll be movement between the porch and that inside area, because we learned last year, we really need an inside spot, whether it’s really cold outside or hot and humid or raining,” she said. “You know, we want to have a spot where people can go indoors and so we want that to be an area where there’s a flow, and people can kind of maybe get away from the loud music of the band, but then the band be in a different spot, you know, where it’s all good flow among the food trucks and those areas where there’s like a party with the band going on, and then a quieter place for us to even visit so we’re excited.”

Homecoming is more than just an event for the alums to return home. Current students are also encouraged to participate. There are many events catered toward the current student body, such as the Alumni vs. Student Kickball game, Spring Fling for Graduating Seniors, Interclub March, Student Music Performances, Magnolia Mingle, Convocation, Four-Year Social Club, Fraternity and Sorority and Student Organization Reunions, W Family Picnic, Two Year Reunions and the inauguration of the MUW Athletics Hall of Fame. In addition, students at The W can attend any Homecoming events for free.

“We have our brand-new W family picnic, and we really want students there because we are bringing back the time-honored tradition as social club songs. We will have social clubs, current active members and their alums, sharing songs with the entire group of people who are at the picnic. It’s something that was lost when Songfest went away, and so I really want to bring that back. We’re hoping to incorporate new traditions like our sororities and fraternities doing step by step show, maybe a unity step if they don’t do them individually,” said Ogburn.

Also, student organizations should contact the Alumni and Development Office if any of them would like to participate and show their talents at The W family picnic. Another event marketed toward students is the Spring Fling for Graduating Seniors. This is time when the alums would like to present the seniors with a gift. The students can also have their headshot photos taken by Chris Jenkins, the university photographer. Headshots will give students the advantage of looking professional on their resumes or LinkedIn profiles. It is just one step toward finding a career.

As the new Culinary building is being finished, it will open up opportunities to showcase more of the campus during the events of Homecoming. Once the facility is finished, Alumni and Development will put their plans in motion for a new home at Shattuck Hall, the current Culinary building.

Those who wish to attend Homecoming need to register online by visiting www.longblueline.muw.edu/events/homecoming2023/registration . Registration for Homecoming ends on March 24 at 5 p.m. If there are any questions or concerns regarding the registration process, contact the Alumni and Development office at 662-329-7148.

This year The W has an online store where students and alums can purchase homecoming apparel such as jackets, cardigans, ponchos, T-shirts and more at www.muwhoco2023.itemorder.com/shop/home/. For more information, updates and schedules, visit www.longblueline.muw.edu/events/homecoming2023 .