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¾«¶«Ó°Òµ¾«¶«Ó°Òµ University fight song blared down Main Street, the city of Kent was flooded with blue and gold, alumni and friends gathered and reminisced about their ¾«¶«Ó°Òµ days, fans packed the stadium to cheer on their beloved Golden Flashes, and the entire campus boomed with ¾«¶«Ó°Òµ pride.

¾«¶«Ó°Òµ celebrated 100 years of Homecoming on Saturday, Oct. 6. ¾«¶«Ó°Òµ alumni, students, parents, faculty, staff and the community took part in one of the university’s long-standing traditions. Student events occurred the week leading up to Homecoming on all eight ¾«¶«Ó°Òµ campuses throughout Northeast Ohio.

BOWMAN CUP

¾«¶«Ó°Òµmorning of Homecoming kicked off with the 18th Annual Bowman Cup 5K Race at 8 a.m. ¾«¶«Ó°Òµrace, named after fedora-loving former ¾«¶«Ó°Òµ President George Bowman, is a chip-timed race that starts and ends in front of the Student Recreation and Wellness Center.

HOMECOMING PARADE

¾«¶«Ó°ÒµHomecoming Parade began at 10 a.m. on the corner of Midway Drive and Main Street, traveling west on Main Street into downtown Kent. ¾«¶«Ó°Òµparade featured floats, ¾«¶«Ó°Òµ and local high school marching bands, university colleges and departments, ¾«¶«Ó°Òµ cheerleaders and athletes, student organizations, local officials and more. Parade favorites ¾«¶«Ó°Òµ President Beverly J. Warren, the 2018 grand marshal and the Homecoming Courts anchored the parade. This year’s Homecoming Parade Grand Marshal was Wayne Dawson, WJW Fox 8 anchor and ¾«¶«Ó°Òµ alumnus.

WELCOME HOME PARTY

¾«¶«Ó°Òµ¾«¶«Ó°Òµ Alumni Association hosted the Welcome Home Party at 11 a.m. at the Center for Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement located at 350 S. Lincoln St. in Kent. ¾«¶«Ó°ÒµWelcome Home Party was free and fun for all ages with festive food, activities and ¾«¶«Ó°Òµ giveaways. Each college on the Kent Campus hosted a free open house or event at one of its buildings. Events included meet and greets with the college deans and refreshments.

KISS ON THE K

Couples who feel that ¾«¶«Ó°Òµ played an important role in their relationship gathered on the K at Risman Plaza (in front of the Kent Student Center) for a special Homecoming tradition called Kiss on the K. All couples kissed on the K when the bell rang at 12:30 p.m. A special performance by the Kent Clarks acapella group and activities began at noon.

FOOTBALL GAME AND TAILGATE

Before the football game, alumni and students tailgated at Dix Stadium. Then at 3:30 p.m., the ¾«¶«Ó°Òµ Golden Flashes took on Mid-American Conference East Division foe the Ohio University Bobcats. ¾«¶«Ó°Òµrivalry game was ¾«¶«Ó°Òµâ€™s first conference home game of the season. ¾«¶«Ó°ÒµHomecoming Courts – more than 40 representatives from all ¾«¶«Ó°Òµ campuses – were recognized at the game, and ¾«¶«Ó°Òµâ€™s 2018 Homecoming King and Queen were also announced and crowned.

Read about 100 Years of Homecoming

view the 2018 Homecoming event scheduleExplore the Homecoming Website