Homecoming at UNK is more than just a football game or a week of competitions. It’s a time when students, alumni and the community all come together to celebrate what it means to be a Loper.
Renae Zimmer, director of student engagement and leadership, said homecoming is a “big week of traditions.”
“It’s a great way to bring the campus together to showcase school spirit,” Zimmer said.
Planning this year included more student participation, with the campus community helping shape the theme and events for homecoming week.
“This year we definitely got a lot more input on the homecoming theme as a whole,” said Walker Gullicksen, co-president of the Loper Programming and Activities Council. “We engaged the whole campus community to see what they would want with a homecoming theme, which ended up as Louie’s Jukebox Jive.”
Student involvement extends beyond the theme, with many participating in events like the Lip Sync Battle.
Kyla Kenney, a UNK junior and member of Gamma Phi Beta, has participated in the Lip Sync Battle all three years she’s been at UNK.
“It’s always my favorite event,” Kenney said. “I love seeing everyone’s routines, it’s such a creative way for students to show their spirit.”
Gullicksen said the Lip Sync Battle has become one of the most popular events of homecoming week, bringing in participants and spectators from all corners of campus. This year, the Gamma Phi Beta, Sigma Tau Gamma and Phi Delta Theta group took home the top prize.
“I think the most popular event is very obviously the Lip Sync Battle, it’s such a big thing,” Gullicksen said. “You have not only students, but faculty, staff and alumni just coming out to see our homecoming teams compete in a once-a-year event.”
LPAC members said homecoming at UNK is designed to be open to everyone, not just Greek organizations.
“You don’t only have to be in a sorority or fraternity to participate,” Gullicksen said. “We have a couple of different organizations who aren’t one of those, and multiple events anyone can join in or watch.”
Several events were added this year that anyone could attend, including an ice cream social, a homecoming scavenger hunt, a costume party and a free showing of Grease at The World Theatre in downtown Kearney.
Together, these events provide opportunities for students and alumni to participate in campus traditions.
Tricia Danburg, UNK alumna and director of alumni engagement, said homecoming is one of the best ways to keep a campus connection strong long after graduation.
“At the end of the day, it’s to help the alumni stay connected with each other and the university,” Danburg said. “We focus on providing that fun experience for alumni to come back to campus and see how much has changed since we were all in school.”
Danburg, a 1994 graduate and former Chi Omega member, said the Alumni Association hosts several events throughout the week, including a Distinguished Alumni Awards Luncheon and the Athletic Hall of Fame Induction.
In addition to alumni-focused events, homecoming week includes activities that involve students and athletes across campus.
Javon Leuty, a junior on the UNK football team, said the energy of homecoming week makes game day feel even more special.
“Homecoming week just has a different energy,” Leuty said. “You can tell everyone’s excited, students, staff, and even families. It really makes the whole campus feel different.”
This year’s homecoming royalty was awarded to Jenna Rauert of Gamma Phi Beta and Sam Schroeder, student body president and student regent. The week’s festivities also included a variety of events, including a pep rally, golf tournament, alumni tailgate and the homecoming parade.
