Illinois Homecoming

Illinois Homecoming Hey guys, So this past weekend, Illinois  had our Homecoming, and I have to say it was probably one of the best ones, if not the best Ive had since I first came to this university. The Homecoming parade was great as usual, the football game didnt go TOO horribly, especially at first, and I got to see a lot of my friends who had graduated in recent years. However, what made this such an amazing experience for me, was that I was part of an organization, and not just a member, but an active member. In order to really take advantage of what Homecoming has to offer, I really believe that students  need to get involved, become a part of something bigger than themselves, and contribute to a legacy that they too can come back to one day as alumni to this great university. It is in this way, that one really becomes a part of the culture of Illinois. Being part of the culture of Illinois  means a lot of things to me. It means seeing old friends who have graduated, it means connecting with alums spanning across multiple generations, it means cheering on our football team regardless of the scoreboard, but mostly it means immersing oneself into all that Illinois  has to offer and the opportunities it provides. For instance, this weekend I hosted an alumna, who had just received an award from the College of LAS for her achievements as a young alumni. Through my interaction with her, as well as my involvement with my campus organization I was able to really connect on a social level with alumni from multiple generations, backgrounds, and disciplines. It was through this social connection, that I was able to  network with some very influential alumni, people who are more than happy to help further the legacy of not only their own college but the University of Illinois as a whole. Having these connections, whether for business or pleasure, allows for there to be an interconnection that spurs on the atmosphere of Homecoming. Alums are happy to come back, because they feel as though they are still one with Illinois, even though it may have been quite some time since they last stepped foot on campus. These alumni, who are our history, are able to impart to current students, who are our future, stories of the past, lessons for the future, and generally information that can benefit a young student trying to blaze  their own path. College of LAS Homecoming with LAS Leaders President Brittany Cline and LAS Leaders Moderator Sheila Lammers It is this combination of social interaction and connecting with alums and your peers that really mark the greatness of an event such as Homecoming. It is a time where Illini from all over the country and from all over the spectrum of the professional world can come back to a single place where we all have something in common, our love for Illinois. Kenny Class of 2016 I’m in the Creative Writing program in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. I’m originally from Tampa, Florida, but I’ve been calling Illinois my home since 1998. I’ve lived all over the Northwest suburbs, from Palatine to Lakemoor to where I currently live back home, Mundelein.