MIZ-103-HC Is Here!

Last week, the University of Missouri hosted one of the largest blood drives in the nation. With help from Mizzou students, faculty, guests and the Columbia community, the American Red Cross was able to collect 5,738 units of blood within four days of operation. The Hearnes Center Fieldhouse, along with satellite drives all over the nation, was filled each day with donors. The Blood Drive would not have been possible without the hard work of this year’s Blood Committee: Tanner Bryant, Kelsey Denker, and Amit Patel. We also want to extend a special thank you to the American Red Cross for their hard work and dedication to this blood drive each year. We appreciate each and every donor and are proud to stand together as a Mizzou Community dedicated to saving lives.

A successful blood drive has set the tone for the remaining Homecoming activities planned for this week. Homecoming Talent kicked off tonight with incredible performances from Greek Groupings. These performances will continue tomorrow and Wednesday night at Missouri Theatre. If you are unable to make it to the Missouri Theatre, stop by The Shack in the Student Center and watch it via LiveStream. You can also watch it from the comfort of your own home at new.livestream.com/Mizzou/homecoming2014.

Campus Decorations will take place this Friday evening from 6-9 PM in Greek Town. Come see all of the Greek Grouping’s hard work come to life with skits and Mizzou spirit for the whole family! This year’s theme is “Oh, the Places You’ll Go” and includes vacation spots, trips, and other commonly-known getaways. A detailed map of where each grouping will be set up is shown here and can be found at http://www.mizzou.com/homecoming.

The annual Homecoming Parade is scheduled to kick off Homecoming day, October 25^th, at 9 AM. The streets of campus and downtown Columbia will be lined with Tiger fans as they watch one of Mizzou Homecoming’s favorite traditions. Student-made floats, dignitaries, campus organizations and other special guests will all be part of this exciting morning! Arrive early to get the perfect sidewalk spot!

Last, but certainly not least, is the Homecoming Football Game versus Vanderbilt. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 PM this Saturday. Halftime will feature this year’s Homecoming Top Ten Royalty Candidates, and a new King and Queen will be crowned. Come early to witness all of the excitement, and be sure to stay late to sing the Alma Mater with thousands of current students and Alumni who come home for Mizzou’s Most Cherished Tradition.

We look forward to seeing everyone this weekend! Check out www.mizzou.com/homecoming for more information. Also, follow @MU_Homecoming on Twitter for up to the minute information all Homecoming weekend! Go Tigers!

MIZ-BBQ!

The MIZ BBQ event is a special Homecoming event that takes place each year exclusively for the Residence Halls on campus. This Thursday, October 16th, at 4 PM, Residence Halls have the opportunity to create a dish and atmosphere inspired by their unique Homecoming theme. Each Hall will have fifteen minutes to wow the judges with their delicious entrees and entertain them with decorations and Mizzou Homecoming spirit!  MIZ BBQ is worth the most amount of points (160) in the Residence Hall point breakdown for Homecoming.

Judging for the event will be based on creativity, atmosphere, food quality, participation and clean-up. To add to the festivities, Residence Hall spirit banners are to be hung by Thursday at 3 PM. Set up for the BBQ begins at 11 AM and ends at 4 pm when the judging begins. Anyone is welcome to attend the event throughout the day!

MIZ BBQ is a great showcase of each Residence Hall’s hard work during this year’s Homecoming celebration. It’s also a unique opportunity for freshman students to explore different Residence Halls and for upperclassmen to revisit their old residences. Nick Akins, member of the Special Events Committee within this year’s Homecoming Steer Co commented on his own experience with MIZ BBQ, saying, “It’s a FANTASTIC way for freshman to really take charge within their Residence Hall and become some of campus’ and Homecoming’s future leaders”.

MIZ BBQ is a culmination and a celebration for Residence Halls and the students within them who have worked so hard this year. So don’t miss out on all of the fun this Thursday from 11AM-4 PM!

Meet Your 2014 Homecoming Royalty Court!

Name: Jamie Beard

Sponsoring Organization: Chi Omega

Hometown: Lees Summit, MO

Major: Journalism

What does Mizzou Homecoming mean to you: Before college, I had an outside perspective of Homecoming because I am the first in my family to go to college. I didn’t really know what it was before I came to Mizzou. This experience has allowed me to be an insider on Homecoming and gives me a whole new perspective about Mizzou.

Name: Julia Bush

Sponsoring Organization: Mortar Board

Hometown: Keller, TX

Major: Journalism

What does Mizzou Homecoming mean to you: Homecoming is about tradition – the traditions hosted by the University and the traditions students create with one another. It’s a celebration of another year added to the book of Tiger history. There’s nothing like coming home to Mizzou!

Name: Emily Donaldson

Sponsoring Organization: Kappa Delta

Hometown: Houston, TX

Major: Journalism

What does Mizzou Homecoming mean to you: Homecoming is something that everyone can relate to on campus, whether you are a current student, alumnus, or even Columbia resident. It’s a common denomination for all who share Mizzou’s values.

Name: Kelsey Haberberger

Sponsoring Organization: Kappa Kappa Gamma

Hometown: Wildwood, MO

Major: Elementary Education

What does Mizzou Homecoming mean to you: A time for celebration! Homecoming is the greatest time to embrace the past and look forward to the future with the Mizzou family.

Name: Allison Schnitker

Sponsoring Organization: Mizzou Alternative Breaks

Hometown: Kansas City, MO

Major: Journalism

What does Mizzou Homecoming mean to you: Mizzou Homecoming means a chance to celebrate with family and friends all that makes Mizzou a most cherished place to call home.

Name: Ethan Colbert

Sponsoring Organization: Delta Chi

Hometown: Frankford, MO

Major: Journalism and Political Science

What does Mizzou Homecoming mean to you: Mizzou Homecoming is an indescribable tradition, because it brings together generations of Tiger fans who have an unbelievable amount of Tiger spirit. The spirit of Homecoming weekend is contagious and that weekend will always be one of my favorite Mizzou moments.

Name: Sam Dicke

Sponsoring Organization: AASB

Hometown: Springfield, MO

Major: History and Political Science

What does Mizzou Homecoming mean to you: Community. It is the time of year where every tiger and Columbia resident comes together in support of Mizzou.

Name: Bobby Hoffman

Sponsoring Organization: AASB

Hometown: St. Charles, MO

Major: Accounting

What does Mizzou Homecoming mean to you: Mizzou Homecoming is all about family. It’s the time of year when all of my families come home to Columbia and join together in love of black and gold. Fight Tiger!

Name: Hai Kim

Sponsoring Organization: Mizzou Wishmakers

Hometown: Shawnee, KS

Major: Business

What does Mizzou Homecoming mean to you: Life; it means inclusion.

Name: Charlie Koors

Sponsoring Organization: Missouri Student Union Ambassadors

Hometown: St. Louis, MO

Major: Hospitality Management

What does Mizzou Homecoming mean to you: The chance to connect with old friends and celebrate tradition. To see my family and all those who have come before me. And the music! The waltz is my favorite song ever.

Show Off Your Skills by Performing an HA during Homecoming Talent!

What is an HA, you ask? Homecoming Acts, formerly known as IBAs (In-Between Acts), are special talents performed between the skits of Homecoming Talent Production. YOU could be the STAR of the Missouri Theatre stage one night from October 20th-22nd. Any member of the Mizzou Community is welcome to audition! Talents usually showcased include song mash-ups, dances, comedic performances, and more.

Don’t be shy! Apply!

Applications for Homecoming Acts are due on September 25th to 123 Reynolds Alumni Center or at the beginning of the Homecoming Liaison meeting. Auditions will be held on October 5th in Jesse Wrench Auditorium.

Visit http://www.mizzou.com/s/1002/index.aspx?sid=1002&gid=1&pgid=1028 for more information and to access the application. Don’t miss your chance to be a part of the 103rd Mizzou Homecoming!

Get involved with Homecoming today!

Here are a few ways:

Apply for Royalty

Royalty applications are available at: http://www.mizzou.com/s/1002/index.aspx?sid=1002&gid=1&pgid=564.

Applications are due September 11th at 5:00 pm in 123 Reynolds Alumni Center or at the beginning of the liaison meeting.

Apply for a Homecoming Act

HA and National Anthem entry forms are due on September 25th with payment to 123 Reynolds Alumni Center at 5 p.m.

Find the application and more information at http://www.mizzou.com/s/1002/index.aspx?sid=1002&gid=1&pgid=1028.

HA Auditions are Sunday, October 5th from 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

Follow us on social media to stay in the loop about more upcoming events!

Like Mizzou Homecoming on Facebook
• Follow @MU_Homecoming
• Follow @MizzouHomecoming
• MizzouHomecoming.wordpress.com
• Main Website: Mizzou.com/Homecoming

Meet your 2014 Homecoming Steering Committee Directors

Name: Jeremy Essner

Hometown: Kelso, MO

Major: Business

Year: Senior

Why did you want to be a part of the 2014 Homecoming Steering Committee and what are you most excited for? I wanted to be a part of the 2014 homecoming experience because some of my best college memories have come from homecoming and I’d like to share that with as many people as possible. I’m most excited about being able to become friends with 30 great people.

Name: Jessie Morrow

Hometown: Waukesha, WI

Major: Nursing

Year: Senior

What are you most excited for about the planning and execution of Homecoming? I am most excited to be working with 30 of Mizzou’s most dedicated students to plan this years Homecoming. I cannot wait to see the outcome of student’s work and the alumni that come back to support it!

Name: Brandon Pilas

Hometown: Ballwin, MO

Major: Marketing

Year: Junior

What is your favorite Homecoming memory/event? My favorite Homecoming memory is definitely being on the 50 yard line last year at halftime during the coronation of the Homecoming King and Queen. Looking up in the crowd and realizing that we had put on this incredible celebration was really the cherry on top of it all. It really made all of the hard work that we had put over the past 8 months all worth it.

Meet your 2014 Homecoming Steering Committee-Traditions

 

 

Name: Luke Blackburn

Hometown: Carmel, IL

Major: Economics

Year: Junior

Why did you want to be a part of the 2014 Homecoming Committee and what are you most excited for? I wanted to be part of the steering committee so that I could be more involved in preserving one of Mizzou’s greatest traditions, while making Homecoming a more inclusive and accepting celebration. I am most excited to get the chance to highlight ten of Mizzou’s most deserving students as part of the Traditions Committee

Name: Ariel Gill

Hometown: Houston, TX

Major: Biology/pre-med

Year: Junior

What are you most excited for about the planning and execution of Homecoming? It is a momentous honor to be considered a “well capable individual” of carrying on and planning Mizzou’s greatest and oldest tradition. I am most excited to witness all our hard work come together. Being a member of the Traditions Committee, I am most anticipating getting to know our Royalty Court and witness the crowning of our future Homecoming King and Queen!

Name: Emma Meek

Hometown: Joplin, MO

Major: Hospitality Management

Year: Junior

What is your favorite Homecoming memory? My favorite Homecoming memory isn’t just one specific moment. I absolutely love the environment of the whole event. Whether it be talent, the game, campus decs, or the parade, there is always a feeling of togetherness and pride that can’t be found anywhere else.

Meet your 2014 Homecoming Steering Committee-Talent

Name: Sam Belvin

 

Hometown: Lake Winnebago, MO

 

Major: Biology/pre-med

 

Year: Junior

 

What is your favorite Homecoming memory/event? My favorite Homecoming event has always been the talent production. Mizzou is filled with so many talented individuals and I have always enjoyed being able to watch from afar. This year, I am thrilled to be a part of making these nights successful!

Name: Christian Gander

 

Hometown: Clarence, MO

 

Major: Finance and Banking

 

Year: Junior

 

Why did you want to be part of the 2014 Homecoming Steering Committee and what are you most excited for? To give back to the school and community that has given me so much. I’m most excited for meeting new people and making connections that will last forever.

Name: Nick Lazechko

 

Hometown: Dardenne Prairie, MO

 

Major: Strategic Communications

 

Year: Sophomore

 

Why did you want to be a part of the 2014 Homecoming Steering Committee and what are you most excited for? I wanted to guide one of the greatest events on Mizzou’s campus and help it reach new heights while maintaining a strong sense of tradition. I’m most excited for the Talent Acts. 

Name: Alexis Schaefer

 

Hometown: Naperville, IL

 

Major: Journalism/business minor

 

Year: Sophomore

 

What are you most excited for about the planning and execution of Homecoming 2014? I am most excited to see how Talent evolves, because there are a lot of new things being planned! There are some great changes coming not only for Talent, but for other committees and Homecoming in general. Planning the details of their implementation should be a lot of hard work but ultimately so worth it. It’s a fantastic experience to be able to start with a blank slate for Homecoming 2014 and watch it slowly blossom into the amazing event that it always has, and always will be. I may be a little biased, but I am looking forward to continuing the tradition of the best Homecoming yet!

 

Meet your 2014 Homecoming Steering Committee-Special Events

Name: Nicholas Akins

 

Hometown: Wheaton, IL

 

Major: Biochemistry

 

Year in School: Freshman

 

What are you most excited for about the execution Homecoming 2014? I’m most excited to get to see all of our hard work unfold next fall! We’re all excited to be assets to the entire Mizzou community. By making sure that Homecoming runs smoothly and also introducing new, exciting ideas, all this hard work in the months leading up to Homecoming 2014 will all be worth it when we get to see everything pay off.

Name: Cecelia Bolin

 

Hometown: Saint Joseph, MO

 

Major: Hospitality Management

 

Year in School: Freshman

 

Why did you want to be a part of the 2014 Homecoming Steering Committee and what are you most excited for? I wanted to be a part of the 2014 Homecoming Steering Committee because I wanted to help bring together a huge tradition that Mizzou offers. Homecoming is something that I will come back for years after I graduate so I want to help organize an amazing homecoming for the Mizzou family and friends. I can’t wait to grow closer to the members of this committee because I know we’re going to be spending A LOT of time together!

Name: DJ LaPoint

 

Hometown: St. Louis, MO

 

Major: Business Management

 

Year in School: Sophomore

 

What is your favorite Homecoming memory/event? My favorite Homecoming memory would have to be the year Mizzou beat number 1 Oklahoma during the 100th Homecoming game. I attended ESPN College Game Day in the morning with my dad and then finished off the day by rushing onto the field with the rest of the stadium. Everything about that day has had a lasting impression on me. By far one of the most memorable experiences I have had.

 

Meet your 2014 Homecoming Steering Committee-Service

Name: TaMarco Davis

 

Hometown: Tulsa, Ok

 

Major: Finance & Banking

 

Year: Sophomore

 

Why did you want to be a part of the 2014 Homecoming Steering Committee, and what are you most excited for? Being from out-of-state, I didn’t know many of Mizzou’s traditions, including that of homecoming. The moment I set foot on campus I instantly felt submerged into a celebrated history book all about Mizzou. From the Tiger Run, to homecoming, I quickly learned what it meant to be a proud Missouri Tiger. I want to help others experience what I felt going through my first homecoming, that of excitement, and pride. I wanted to be apart of the 2014 Homecoming Steering Committee, because I want to be apart of recreating the tradition that made a tiger, for someone else. I’m most excited about making the homecoming experience unique and memorable for all those involved.

 

Name: Justin Derks

 

Hometown: King City, MO

 

Major: Biochemistry

 

Year: Junior

 

What are most excited about for the planning and execution of Homecoming 2014? I am the most excited about my event, Tiger Food Fight. I know I am going to put in countless hours or hard work and dedication, but it will be worth it in the end.

Name: Katie Holzhauer

 

Hometown: Pocahontas, IL

 

Major: Health Sciences, Pre-Physical Therapy

 

Year: Junior

 

What is your favorite Homecoming memory/event? My favorite Homecoming event has to be the Homecoming Blood Drive! Before I came to Mizzou I had never given blood before and I was so excited my freshman year to give. It was inspiring to see how many students, faculty, and community members come out to give blood over those days. Ever since then I always look forward to doing my part to make sure that the Mizzou Homecoming Blood Drive stays the largest blood drive in the nation.