Entertainment and energy abound
for Homecoming. About 1,300 people are expected for this weekend’s events.
Audrey Reed
Assistant News Editor
Senior Jonathon Miller represents Beta Theta
Pi at a dodgeball game Wednesday Evening.
Hood Whitson / Online Editor
Pepperdine alumni and students will converge Saturday at the Homecoming Village, which will be between the amphitheater and the fountain.
Creating an atmosphere like Third Street Promenade, entertainers, artists and free food will welcome the 1,300 people who are expected to attend, said Rachael Bratlien, manager of homecoming and reunions.
In an effort to involve both students and alumni, not only will attractions like inflatable boxing rings and caricature artists be available, but freshmen and sophomores will answer alumni questions and act as guides, Bratlien said.
Seniors Josh Dunham and Jimmy Hutcheson
and freshman Amanda Gregory share their
scavenger-hunt findings as part of the Spirit
Cup competition.
Ben Young / Photo Editor
But before Saturday at noon, alumni and students will have very different Homecoming schedules.
While student festivities began Monday with a bake off, alumni events do not begin until tonight with the men’s basketball game against Gonzaga. Friday, alumni have the opportunity take surfing lessons or go on a hike and to visit with professors and classes in an event called “Back to the Classroom.” Also on Friday, 10-, 20- and 25-year reunions will be held at the Bel-Air Bay Club.
Reunions are also planned for Saturday at the Homecoming Village. Because there are so many different groups, Pepperdine highlights certain years and programs at homecoming to have reunions, said Amy Hunter, special events manager of University Events. This year the London International program and all Greek groups will have booths at the Village to welcome their alumni.
Even though some Greek organizations have separate alumni reunions, having the reunion in conjunction with Homecoming gets more people involved, junior Pi Beta Phi Elyse Simmerman said.
Pepperdine students are getting involved with Homecoming this year by competing in various events. Greek groups divided into four different teams and the Latin Student Association also formed a team looking to win the Spirit Cup.
In addition to the bake off, contests included a scavenger hunt Tuesday, a dodge ball game Wednesday and a lip sync competition Saturday. Each team created its own theme that follows the overall theme for Homecoming, “Pepperdine Dynamite.”
Senior Mark Horton of Psi Upsilon, which partnered with Pi Beta Phi and Delta Delta Delta, said that part of Homecoming is working with other Greeks.
“We’ve been having fun with the lip sync,” Horton said. “It’s a really fun group of people.”
Simmerman, a self-proclaimed “homecoming dork,” said that she likes teaming up with other fraternities and sororities.
“It’s a lot of fun, but it’s hard work,” Simmerman said. “You get caught up in the spirit and the competition.”
For a complete schedule of events: http://seaver.pepperdine.edu/alumni/homecoming/schedule.htm
02-10-2005