Joyce McLaughlin Newman, the 1963 Homecoming queen, with 2013 king and queen Kye Cho and Cynthia Costello.

Homecoming 2013

University students, alumni, faculty, staff, friends enjoy Homecoming activities

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7:15 p.m., Oct. 14, 2013--The University of Delaware celebrated Homecoming 2013 from Oct. 7-13, with a large number of UD students, alumni, faculty, staff and friends participating in a variety of Homecoming events, activities and celebrations on campus. 

Homecoming included a memorable football game, with the Blue Hens earning a late 33-30 victory over Albany in a Colonial Athletic Association contest.

Campus Stories

From graduates, faculty

As it neared time for the processional to open the University of Delaware Commencement ceremonies, graduating students and faculty members shared their feelings about what the event means to them.

Doctoral hooding

It was a day of triumph, cheers and collective relief as more than 160 students from 21 nations participated in the University of Delaware's Doctoral Hooding Convocation held Friday morning on The Green.

To view stories from #UDHC weekend visit the UD Storify page.

Following are recaps of some of the Homecoming activities:

UD Employee Spirit Photo Contest

UD employees were invited to submit their department/group photos into the Dare to Show More Spirit Photo Contest. The photo with the most “likes” was that submitted by the University Student Centers, with more than 300 likes on the UD Alumni Relations Facebook page. A second photo was chosen by the UD Alumni Association (UDAA) president, Ken Jones, of the Class of 1980, and the Research department was named this year’s winner of the UDAA President’s Choice Award.

Homecoming giveaways and prizes

Throughout Homecoming Week, students showcasing their Blue Hen pride had opportunities to win great prizes at Spirit Stations located around campus. Sponsored by the Homecoming Student Committee and the Office of Alumni Relations, Spirit Stations gave out a different prize each day to the first 500 students who show up wearing UD gear. 

UD Alumni Association Outstanding Alumni Award recipients

Grace Thompson Leong, of the Class of 1988, and Steven E. Linberg, of the Class of 1973, were selected as the 2013 recipients of the UDAA Outstanding Alumni Award.  Presented annually over Homecoming by the University of Delaware Alumni Association, this award is given to UD alumni who have exhibited exceptional volunteer work on behalf of the University of Delaware and/or the University of Delaware Alumni Association.

Homecoming Pep Rally

The rain didn’t stop more than 900 students from attending the second annual Pep Rally that was held on Friday, Oct. 11, in the Carpenter Sports Building, or the Little Bob. The show included student and alumni performers by Dark Arts, Kevin McCove of the Class of 2012, and the UD Homecoming Committee Talent Challenge Winner, John Stout of the Class of 2016. The Pep Rally incorporated the UD Cheerleaders and Dance Team, YoUDee, and UD Athletic teams across all seasons including spring, winter and fall. The event concluded with remarks by Dave Brock, UD head football coach. 

Homecoming King and Queen

With more than 5,000 votes, the student body and UD community voted Kye Cho and Cynthia Costello, both of the Class of 2014, as this year’s Homecoming King and Queen. The announcement was made during the third and fourth quarter break at the football game. The Homecoming court finalists were Brie Gerry, Ashley Paulos, Erica Santos and Stephanie Schmidt.

Student banner competition 

As part of the Pep Rally, the Student Banner Competition winners were announced. This year, the competition was tight, and third place consisted of a three-way tie between French Club, UDance and Pershing Rifles. In second place was the Student Centers Programming Advisory Board and in first place the Student Government Association. Twenty-four student groups submitted a banner and the winners were determined by the Student Homecoming Committee and their staff adviser. 

Goalpost Party – Saturday, Oct. 12

After a 10-plus year hiatus, the Office of Alumni Relations brought back the Goalpost Party. This premier event for alumni and guests took place under a tent in Hospitality Village on South Campus and alumni were treated to the 10-piece party band All About Me, endless appetizers, two drink tickets, a cash bar, photo booth and more.

Student dodge ball and Amazing Race 

UD students participated in two new Homecoming events this year, conceived by the Student Homecoming Committee – a dodge ball tournament and the UD Amazing Race. Eight teams signed up to play in the first ever Homecoming dodge ball tournament and the Lumberjacks won the title. Ten teams participated in the UD Amazing Race (modeled after the TV show) and Team Camo won, and the team consisted of members of the Homecoming Court. 

Office of Alumni Relations

The University of Delaware Office of Alumni Relations promotes a lifelong relationship between the University and more than 160,000 living alumni, all of whom are members of the UD Alumni Association, by providing programs, events and awards for alumni and students, maintaining traditions and fostering Blue Hen pride. For more information, visit www.UDconnection.com.

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University of Delaware
Communications and Public Affairs
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publicaffairs@udel.edu

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