Faculty, staff, alumni, students and fans came together to celebrate the University of Missouri Homecoming tradition and a century of coming home last weekend, uniting past with present while combining school spirit, service and community on the campus.
“Overall, the 2011 Homecoming Centennial was a great success,” said Carrie Bien, coordinator of student programs for the Mizzou Alumni Association. “Everything over the course of the weekend was nearly perfect. People from across campus came together to make this a truly special celebration.”
Homecoming events started on Oct. 1 when more than 325 MU students and 19 regional alumni chapters participated in the Mizzou Homecoming Day of Service.
During the four-day Mizzou Blood Drive from Oct. 3 to Oct. 6, MU students set a record by collecting 4,839 units of blood. Another 422 units were also collected at satellite drives held throughout the Missouri-Illinois region bringing the total number of units collected to 5,264. It is the largest-ever total for the University of Missouri. Because each unit of blood has the potential to help save up to three lives, as many as 15,792 people will benefit from the generosity of the volunteer blood donors at the Homecoming drive.
Also, the Mizzou Alumni Association collected 63,335 pounds of food, or 47,786 meals for the local food bank.
Homecoming festivities began Saturday, Oct. 15, with the 100th Anniversary Homecoming Parade through downtown Columbia, featuring Marching Mizzou, several area high school marching bands and floats designed by MU student organizations and community members.
According to Bien, there were about 40 parade volunteers for the day, which consisted of MU staff members. They assisted with set-up, spectator safety and overall coordination. The family of Chester Brewer, “Father of Homecoming,” who was honored as the Homecoming Grand Marshal posthumously, led the parade.
Roughly 35,000 people turned out for Saturday’s parade.
Immediately following the parade, Bien said 3,145 gathered before the big game at Carnahan Quadrangle for the Romp, Chomp and Stomp tailgate, which was a revived tradition from the 1950s.
Homecoming festivities culminated with the Tiger football game against Iowa State, which MU won 52-17.