WSU Celebrates Homecoming at Home
OGDEN, Utah – Weber State University will hold its annual homecoming celebrations, Oct. 2-10. While there won’t be a football game, the campus community is invited to celebrate “Stay-at-Homecoming” with a variety of virtual and socially distanced events.
“We decided to still have homecoming week this year because it’s important to celebrate our university and all the faculty, staff and students who make it so great,” said Tara Peris, director of Student Involvement and Leadership. “We want students to have something to look forward to and remember to be proud to be a Wildcat.”
Beginning Oct. 2, students can pick up a free homecoming T-shirt from the Student Involvement & Leadership office (Shepherd Union Room 326) while supplies last. Faculty, staff and community members can purchase a shirt for $5 from the Wildcat Store on the Ogden Campus.
The annual Mount Ogden hike will take place Oct. 3 at 8 a.m., leaving from the Snowbasin trailhead. To ensure the safety of everyone, participants are required to register for the hike at weber.edu/outdoor/annualwsumtogdenhike. The tradition of hiking the summit, placing a flag and singing the school song at the top of the trail began with a collection of students, faculty and trustees in 1922.
Homecoming royalty will be honored during the pep rally on Oct. 5 at noon at the Stewart Bell Tower Plaza. Traditionally, Homecoming royalty would be announced during WSU Salutes, which honors outstanding individuals for contributions to the campus community. Due to COVID-19, that event has been canceled. Instead, alumni and community members are encouraged to participate in other homecoming activities to show their Wildcat pride.
“While we can’t celebrate in person, homecoming is still an event that lets alumni and current students feel closer to their alma mater,” said Nancy Collinwood, Alumni Relations director. “This year, events will look different, but the desire to celebrate the traditions that make us unique still remains. We can all stay connected and continue to let that purple pride grow by staying home for Homecoming this year.”
The WSU Service Day of Remembrance will take place Oct. 7 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. via Zoom conferencing. Service day events will include a Missing Map-a-thon with the American Red Cross, which will challenge participants to create virtual maps for use in disaster situations. Additionally, participants can help assemble storybook kits for the Virtual Storybook Kit Drive with Ogden-Weber Community Action Partnership Head Start. For more information and to register, visit weber.edu/ccel/service-remembrance.
The week will conclude with a virtual purple pancake breakfast with President Brad Mortensen, Oct. 10 at 9 a.m. Students are invited to pick up a purple pancake kit and other homecoming giveaways from the Student Involvement & Leadership office (Shepherd Union Room 326), Oct. 5, 7 and 9 while supplies last. The president’s video will be posted on Facebook and Instagram.
“Participating in homecoming gives us each a sense of belonging and a stronger identity as a Wildcat,” said Ben Ferney, student body president. “This year has pushed us to find creative and innovative ways to move forward, and homecoming week is no different. The celebrations may be different from usual, but this memorable tradition is still alive and as great as ever.”
For a complete schedule of events, visit weber.edu/homecoming.
Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.
Shaylee Stevens, Office of Marketing & Communications
801-626-7948 • shayleestevens@weber.edu- Contact:
Tara Peris, director of Student Involvement and Leadership
801-626-7334 • taraperis@weber.edu