What an exciting Homecoming week this has been for Kean University. Students, alumni, faculty, staff, and the local community were welcomed to enjoy fun activities such as games, sports, and breakfast along with free Kean Merchandise.
From October 13 to October 15 Kean University hosted Homecoming Weekend. The weekend was filled with exciting activities like the Alumni Homecoming Kickoff, Kean Cougars Women’s Soccer Game, Carnival games, food trucks, Kean Cougar Kidzone, Kean Cougars Football, and Kean Cougars Field Hockey. Also, all were invited to visit The Galleries at Kean and watch “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” presented by Kean Theatre Conservatory.
Kean kicked off homecoming week starting on October 9th. Throughout the week students were able to enjoy breakfast, bingo and brunch, baked cupcakes, the thrilling hypnotist show, a lively concert, and a pep rally that showcased Kean pride. On Monday, the homecoming breakfast at MSC Plaza was a great turnout. The grand spread included delicious foods like pancakes, waffles, eggs, bagels, and bacon as well as home fries and biscuits and gravy. Students were also able to pick up free merch to sport around campus for homecoming week. Then on Tuesday, the Student Government Association handed out cupcakes at MSC plaza. Those in attendance also received a Kean pennant, foam paw, and sunglasses. We had a doubleheader on Wednesday featuring the bingo brunch event that had participants locked into their boards; later, the Hypnotist show was also a remarkable success as many students were enchanted by the impressive hypnosis trance.
The highly anticipated homecoming concert featured award-nominated rapper Flo Milli. Students lined up outside of Wilkins Theater with excitement to see their favorite artist. During the concert, Flo Milli invited a student to go on stage to dance with her. She also autographed a box of Froot Loops cereal and threw it into the audience for a lucky winner. Throughout the night she frequently got off the stage to interact with the crowd. The students were able to sing along and pose for quick photo-ops.
Friday presented the highly anticipated pep rally. Many of the sports and clubs available at the university were displayed in front of the student body. From 6 p.m. – 8 p.m., students enjoyed funnel cake, fried Oreos, and free merch. DJ Drewski and DJ Wallah got the crowd hype and even gave away tickets to a future event. Many sports teams such as the Women’s Soccer team, Track and Field, Men’s Basketball, and Women’s Lacrosse team creatively presented the team members with comedic and nostalgic videos to compete for the best video award.
Kean’s Football Defensive Coordinator, Matt Kreider, gave an encouraging speech at the beginning of the pep rally.
“You’re all in here for college together. College is what you make it...You want to collaborate. I want to create relationships, I want the internship, I want the job. Start collaborating with people that don’t look like you," said Kreider.
Numerous students participated in fun games such as potato sack race, musical chairs, knockout, finish the lyrics, and a competitive dance-off. At the end of the night, the Women’s Volleyball Team was named the winner of the video contest. Other winners of the games received prizes including water bottles, wallets, and other Kean gear.
Many students enjoyed the school spirit as the athletes and students were able to come together and have a great time. Savanna Frantz, Sophomore, and Environmental Science Major from Reading, PA, enjoyed the school spirit among students.
“I love how it brings all student-athletes and nonathletes together to just have fun and celebrate, in the gym, our school," said Frantz.
Throughout the night Kean’s Cheerleader Club, Dance Theatre, and Top Knotch Majorette Dance Team kept the crowd on their feet with entertaining and crowd-pleasing dancing.
Homecoming Week was a huge success, and many look forward to what next year’s Homecoming has in store for the Kean community.
