Justin Newell and others working to expand homecoming hope that students — past and present — answer the call this week to celebrate a “Festival for All.”
Even though a traditional Homecoming has long been centered around a football game, the associate athletics director said this year’s installment taking place Thursday through Saturday will offer so much more.
“It’s more than the football game,” said Newell, one of the tri-chairs of the Homecoming Committee. “It’s a campus celebration and a community celebration above all else.”
Sure, there still will be the annual gridiron contest when Kenyon takes on Hiram College at 1 p.m. Saturday. And the field hockey team has an earlier game against DePauw University at 11 a.m.
But this year’s schedule also includes a bonfire with s’mores; late night arcade games and pizza; wine tastings; alumni networking sessions; a block party; and the Greek Council Philanth Fair, which will raise money for philanthropic causes and serve as the official kickoff Friday.
It’s all meant to make Homecoming — dubbed “A Festival for All” — a broader opportunity for current students to have fun, returning alumni to mingle and reconnect, and the entire College community to celebrate together.
“We’re just trying to make it a bigger thing that people want to be a part of,” Newell said. “The more people that come back, the more fun it will be.”
College officials have been working hard to “renew and re-energize” Homecoming Weekend, especially for students, said Annie Gordon, director of alumni engagement.
“We’re super excited, and I want students to embrace Homecoming as their own,” she said. “We will hopefully keep adding to it. If there’s interest in doing it, we’ll keep growing it.”
Student Council President Marissa Sun ’25 said she sees the potential of the reimagined Homecoming.
“I’m excited they’re taking the opportunity to engage more students,” she said. “Students have expressed positive reactions to this change.”
Taylor Womack ’24, Student Council vice president for student life, said she’s looking forward to the expanded activities for students, including the bonfire.
“I think it’s cool this year they’re bringing in more parts for the students,” she said.
Alumni will be getting in on the fun, too. More than 250 have registered to participate so far, and officials are encouraging affinity groups to use Homecoming as an opportunity to gather, allowing for on-campus meet-ups among members of fraternities, sororities, singing groups and more.
Other Homecoming highlights include:
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A campus beautification project Saturday morning.
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Kenyon Athletics Hall of Fame inductions for five former standout student-athletes.
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More than 20 classes open for alumni and other guests to sit in on Friday.