The skies were cloudy and gray, but for Homecoming revelers, there was nothing but blue.
Homecoming 2024 meant fun for the whole Bluejay family, with events and giveaways for students, reunions for alumni, tailgating and the Bluejay Block Party, a cabaret and music concert, sports matchups and much more.
With the theme “Paint the Town Blue,” Homecoming Week kicked off on Sept. 23 with a focus on student activities like the Union Board’s Homecoming Banner Competition. Thirty-six student organizations participated in the contest, decorating banners that then were hung in the Founders Lounge for the week. This year’s winner was the Elmhurst Superhero Social Club.
Homecoming & Reunion Weekend got underway on Friday, Sept. 27, with gatherings for the classes of 1959, 1964 and 1974 (the 50-year reunion class); reunions for alumni from the Honors Program, mathematics, health sciences and other academic programs; and the Athletics Hall of Fame Dinner.
Elmhurst’s first Olympian, wrestler Joe Rau ’13, attended the dinner, where President Troy VanAken recognized Rau’s “resolve and great heart” as a competitor in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Rau later joined throngs of alumni, students, student-athletes and other Bluejays on the Mall for the bonfire and pep rally, which culminated in a laser light show.
“My favorite thing about Homecoming is the community,” said sophomore Ali Krieger. “I get to see the people that I saw earlier in the year during orientation, and I get to be around those people that I don’t see in classes, so I love it.”
Saturday morning, spectators gathered along Prospect Avenue to watch the Homecoming Parade wind its way along the streets surrounding the campus. Among the 25 participating groups and organizations were the Elmhurst University Dance Company, Union Board, the Student Nurses Association and the cheerleading and poms teams. The Latino Student Association won for best entry by a student organization.
First-year Bryanna Stanford enjoyed the parade with her women’s volleyball teammates, and was looking forward to checking out some other Homecoming activities before their game against Knox College that evening.
“I love how social it is and how connected we are as a team and a campus,” she said.
At the Homecoming games, the football team would go on to beat the North Park Vikings 28 – 21, and the women’s volleyball team dominated Knox in a Homecoming sweep.
“It’s fun as a coach to see the campus community come together for Homecoming,” said Cameron Andrew, head coach of the volleyball team. “The team loves being able to play at Homecoming and represent the University—and the University goes above and beyond to make sure our students, particularly our student-athletes, have a really positive experience.”
- View Homecoming 2024 photos from Friday, Sept. 27
- View Homecoming 2024 photos from Saturday, Sept. 28
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