Homecoming
Save the date: October 23-28
Celebrate the University of Kansas’ 111th Homecoming Oct. 23-28, culminating in the KU football game against Oklahoma on Oct. 28 in David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.
The theme for this year’s celebration is “Rah Rah Jayhawk,” a nod to the origins of the Rock Chalk chant and Jayhawk nostalgia.
Homecoming Information Packet
Homecoming Information Packet
Call for Programs
Apply for Awards
Three Homecoming awards recognize outstanding students and alumni each year. The Ex.C.E.L. Award recognizes two students with outstanding leadership, involvement and academics. The Jennifer Alderdice Homecoming Award recognizes a student who demonstrate outstanding loyalty and dedication. Finally, the Spirit of 1912 Award honors KU graduates for their lifelong commitment to the University.
Call for Programs
The KU Alumni Association and Homecoming Steering Committee encourage campus and community partners to submit an event for the Homecoming calendar on behalf of your department or organization.
Submissions will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis, with approved events shared on the Homecoming calendar.
Info Session
KU students and student organization leaders interested in participating or learning more about Homecoming are invited to a virtual Homecoming Student Information Session Sept. 27 from 6 to 7 p.m.
Register here for the information session, which will be recorded and available later to those who register.
Call for Programs
The KU Alumni Association and Homecoming Steering Committee encourage campus and community partners to submit an event for the Homecoming calendar on behalf of your department or organization.
Homecoming Info Session
The KU Alumni Association and Homecoming Steering Committee will hold a virtual Homecoming Information Session Sept. 5 from 3 to 4 p.m. Any KU campus or Lawrence community partners interested in hosting an event are invited to attend.
Register here for the information session, which will be recorded and available later to those who register.
Homecoming Sponsors
As a proud sponsor of KUAA, Best Western Plus – West Lawrence is the Parents HQ for students and families. KUAA Members receive 20% off every stay. Parents receive 20% off during campus visits, move-in days, Parents Weekend, graduation, and sports events. FREE hot breakfast, indoor pool, fitness center, pet-friendly. Adjacent to Rock Chalk Park.
As a proud sponsor of KUAA, Best Western Plus – West Lawrence is the Parents HQ for students and families. KUAA Members receive 20% off every stay. Parents receive 20% off during campus visits, move-in days, Parents Weekend, graduation, and sports events. FREE hot breakfast, indoor pool, fitness center, pet-friendly. Adjacent to Rock Chalk Park.
Central Bank of the Midwest is the Community Banking Partner for the University of Kansas. They will operate a new bank branch in the Kansas Union, making it the fifth branch in Lawrence. Central Bank has been serving businesses and customers since 1902 on a strong foundation of people, community service and technology. The bank is a more than $20 billion financial institution with more than 250 locations in more than 90 communities serving consumers and businesses in Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Oklahoma, Tennessee, North Carolina, Colorado Iowa and Florida.
Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. is reshaping and revolutionizing the workplace to achieve true connectivity through the Intelligent Connected Workplace. The company guides and supports its clients’ digital transformation through its expansive office technology portfolio, including IT Services (All Covered), intelligent information management, managed print services and industrial and commercial print solutions. Konica Minolta has been recognized as the #1 Brand for Customer Loyalty in the MFP Office Copier Market by Brand Keys for fifteen consecutive years and is proud to be ranked on the Forbes 2021 America’s Best-in-State employers’ list.
2023 Schedule Overview
Date | Activity | Location | Time | Audience |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Sept. 10 | Ex. C.E.L. Award applications open | online sign up | 8 a.m. | Students |
Sept. 10 | Alderdice Award applications open | online sign up | 8 a.m. | Students |
Sept. 10 | Spirit of 1912 Award applications open | online sign up | 8 a.m. | Alumni, Public |
Sept. 27 | Student Homecoming information session | Online | 6-7 p.m. | Students |
Sept. 29 | Ex.C.E.L. Award applications close | 8 a.m. | Students | |
Sept. 29 | Alderdice Award applications close | 8 a.m. | Students | |
Sept. 29 | Spirit of 1912 Award applications close | 8 a.m. | Alumni, Public | |
Oct. 2-6 | Ex.C.E.L Interviews | by appointment | Students | |
Oct. 2-6 | Alderdice Interviews | by appointment | Students | |
Oct. 9 | Ex.C.E.L. Finalists notified | Students | ||
Oct. 9 | Alderdice Finalists notified | Students | ||
Oct. 13 | Alumni Band Registration Deadline | Online | 11:59 p.m. | Alumni |
Oct. 23 | Homecoming Kick-Off | Jayhawk Welcome Center, Front Lawn/Patio and Lobby | 5:30-7 PM | Students, Alumni, Public |
Oct. 24 | Spirit Bus! | Campus Bus | 12-2 p.m. | Students |
Oct. 24 | Landmark Earthwork – 100th Birthday Tribute to Distinguished Alum Senator Bob Dole | Dole Institute of Politics | 12-4 p.m. | Students, Alumni, Public |
Oct. 24 | A Question of Respect: Bringing Us Together in a Deeply Divided Nation | Dole Institute of Politics | 5:30 p.m. | Students, Alumni, Public |
Oct. 24 | Homecoming Awards Banquet | Jayhawk Welcome Center, The Pub & Bruckmiller | 6-7:30 p.m. | Students |
Oct. 24 | Glowtopia | Jayhawk Welcome Center | 7-10 p.m. | Students |
Oct. 25 | Chalk N’ Rock | Wescoe Beach | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Students, Alumni, Public |
Oct. 25 | Jayhawk Buddy System Giveaway | Watkins Memorial Health Center, East Sidewalk | 11 a.m. | Students |
Oct. 25 | Landmark Earthwork – 100th Birthday Tribute to Distinguished Alum Senator Bob Dole | Dole Institute of Politics | 12-4 p.m. | Students, Alumni, Public |
Oct. 25 | Hawktober Movie Night | Central Field, Stouffer Place Hall | 6:30-11 p.m. | Students, Alumni, Public |
Oct. 26 | Landmark Earthwork – 100th Birthday Tribute to Distinguished Alum Senator Bob Dole | Dole Institute of Politics | 12-4 p.m. | Students, Alumni, Public |
Oct. 26 | Jayhawk Jingles | Kansas Memorial Union, Woodruff Auditorum | 6-8 p.m. | Students, Alumni, Public |
Oct. 26 | KU Black Alumni Network Reunion: Mike and Joyce Shinn African American Leaders and Innovators Award Reception | Jayhawk Welcome Center | 6:30-10 p.m. | Alumni |
Oct. 26 | Karaoke Night | Daisy Hill Commons Quad, Lawn | 7-9 p.m. | Students |
Oct. 27 | Landmark Earthwork – 100th Birthday Tribute to Distinguished Alum Senator Bob Dole | Dole Institute of Politics | 12-4 p.m. | Students, Alumni, Public |
Oct. 27 | Home Football Friday: Homecoming Edition | Jayhawk Welcome Center, Front Lawn | 1-3 p.m. | Students, Alumni, Public |
Oct. 27 | KU Black Alumni Network Reunion Weekend: Mocktails and Mingle | Jayhawk Welcome Center | 3-6 p.m. | Students, Alumni |
Oct. 27 | KU Alumni Band 50th Anniversary Reunion | TBD | 4-6 p.m. | Alumni |
Oct. 27 | Rock Chalk Block Party | Massachusetts St. | 5:30-9 p.m. | Students, Alumni, Public |
Oct. 27 | KU Law Reunion Dinner | Celebrating classes ’78, ’83, ’93, ’98, ’03, and ’13 | The Oread | 6-9 p.m. | Alumni |
Oct. 27 | BSU Homecoming Pageant | Woodruff Auditorium | 6:30 p.m. | Students, Alumni, Public |
Oct. 28 | Landmark Earthwork – 100th Birthday Tribute to Distinguished Alum Senator Bob Dole | Dole Institute of Politics | 12-4 p.m. | Students, Alumni, Public |
Oct. 28 | KU Alumni Band 50th Anniversary Reunion | TBD | TBD | Alumni |
Oct. 28 | KU Law Homecoming Tailgate | The Hill | TBD | Alumni |
Oct. 28 | KU Black Alumni Network Reunion Weekend: Business Meeting | Jayhawk Welcome Center | TBD | Alumni |
Oct. 28 | KU Alumni Association Gameday at the Jayhawk Welcome Center Tailgate | Jayhawk Welcome Center | TBD | Students, Alumni, Public |
Oct. 28 | KU vs Oklahoma Football Game Purchase tickets here | David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium | TBD | Students, Alumni, Public |
Oct. 28 | KU Black Alumni Network Reunion Weekend: Kickback Party | Jayhawk Welcome Center | 8-11 p.m. | Alumni |
Oct. 29 | Rock Chalk 5K: Supporting First Generations Students | KU Edwards BEST Building | 8:45-10:30 a.m. | Students, Alumni, Public |
Oct. 29 | Landmark Earthwork – 100th Birthday Tribute to Distinguished Alum Senator Bob Dole | Dole Institute of Politics | 12-4 p.m. | Students, Alumni, Public |
Oct. 29 | Nikki Glaser: The Good Girl Tour | Lied Center of Kansas | 7:30 p.m. | Students, Alumni, Public |
Homecoming Sponsors
Homecoming Origin
On November 23, 1912, KU played its first Homecoming football game against well-established rivals the Missouri Tigers. At a bonfire in front of Fraser Hall the Friday before the game, the ceremonial burning of a wooden tiger riled KU students. The next day, in front of 9,000 cheering fans, the Jayhawks defeated Missouri 12-3. For years, it was custom to play Missouri for every other Homecoming game.
A Rich History
A Rich History
In 1925, the first Homecoming Queen was crowned at KU, but the ceremony did not become tradition until 1933. A new queen was crowned each year until 1969, when anti-war demonstrations and stormy race relations led to the committee’s decision that it was “more appropriate to recognize those who embody the academic spirit for which this community was established.” The Ex.C.E.L. Award now recognizes two students with outstanding leadership, involvement and academics. Two more awards have since been created: the Spirit of 1912 Award honors KU graduates for lifelong commitment to the University; and the Jennifer Alderdice Homecoming Award recognizes current students who demonstrate outstanding loyalty and dedication. Learn more about and apply for Homecoming awards.
Homecoming Steering Committee
The Homecoming Steering Committee serves as a primary driver of the Homecoming experience by planning a robust experience that enhances Jayhawk pride. Students are selected after an application and interview process organized by the KU Alumni Association.
The 2023 Homecoming Steering Committee is:
-Thanh Tan Nguyen, a senior in business analytics and, supply chain management from Phu Yen, Vietnam, executive director.
-Nana Ansere Amfo Sackey, a junior in visual communication and design from Accra, Ghana, and Lawrence, programs chair.
-Jess Mumm, a junior in strategic communications and business from Omaha, Nebraska, programs co-chair.
-Andy Denekas, a graduate student in business and pre-law from Omaha, Nebraska, awards chair.
-Shayslyne Campos, a senior in marketing and psychology from Kansas City, Missouri, and Lawrence, public relations/outreach chair.
-Anna Korn, a junior in sport management from Phoenix, competitions chair.
-Aria Woolsey, a junior in strategic communications and psychology from River Falls, Wisconsin, public relations/outreach co-chair.