Here is Homecoming 2018 in Review.
Alumni from Michigan, the Midwest and across the country converged on Ferris State University Saturday, Sept. 29, for the 92nd Homecoming celebration in Big Rapids. The 2018 Homecoming theme was “Color Me Crimson.”
Ferris alumnus and Office of Multicultural Student Services Director Matt Chaney was pleased to greet current and former students of the university at their organization’s tent, outside Top Taggart Field.
“We were pleased to receive around 100 responses from alumni and friends who planned to take in our activities, which makes it a full day,” Chaney said. “We coordinate the lion’s share of these activities, which extended through Friday evening, to Saturday and on to a Sunday morning brunch for our guests.”
Chaney was also pleased by the response from a revitalized Black Alumni Association membership.
“The BAA is seeing new life thanks to fresh faces in leadership roles,” Chaney said. “This has brought excitement and growth, to an organization that has its roots on campus dating back to the early 1970s.”
Director of Alumni Relations Brandi Behrenwald said the OMSS, various university colleges and student groups collaborated to offer a wide variety of foods and entertainment for the tailgate attendees.
“This is the best annual celebration that we have as it brings together students, alumni and the Big Rapids community,” Behrenwald said. “Our athletic teams make a point to be in the crowd and great efforts are made to see that Homecoming is full of festivity.”
The College of Business offered body marbling to the Homecoming tailgate crowd and its Music and Entertainment Business program brought on the band “Paradise Outlaw” to perform southern rock and country hits. Ferris senior Victoria Fennell, an English/Library and Instructional Services student from Kalamazoo, sported face paint as she made her way through the tailgating crowd.
“It is kind of a bittersweet day for me,” Fennell said. “I am glad to be joining my group since many of my closest friends have already graduated. I thought my college years would be boring, but it has not turned out to be the case.”
A crowd of 4,671 watched the Ferris football team defeat the Ashland University Eagles,
28-21, to maintain a share of the lead in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic
Conference. At halftime of that game, third-year Hospitality Management student Taya
Treiber, of Luther, was named 2018 Homecoming Royalty based on the result of votes
cast by Ferris students.
PHOTO CAPTION: Ferris State University President David Eisler offered a greeting during
the 2018 Homecoming Parade, which traveled down Michigan Avenue Saturday, Sept. 29
in Big Rapids. This year marked the 92nd Homecoming celebration. The 2018 Homecoming
theme was “Color Me Crimson.”