5 Reasons to Attend Homecoming

It’s no surprise that Cobbers love Homecoming … the exciting chatter of who will be crowned at coronation, the campus doubling in size with hundreds of alumni coming back home, and the feeling of immense pride in our corny mascot. This week epitomizes what it means to be a Cobber and I cannot wait for it to get started.

As a past Homecoming Committee chairperson and a proud Concordia alum, this week has a special place in my heart and I want to share the top five reasons you should make your way back to campus this week.

1. Seeing Old Friends

Whether it’s your 50th Homecoming or your first time back, it’s always great to see old friends. The connections Cobbers make last the test of time. Grabbing coffee with your first-year roommate, reminiscing on the steps of Old Main with your orientation club, or running into your teammates in DS are just a few of the fun connections you can rekindle during Homecoming Weekend.

2. Reliving the Glory Days

There’s nothing like being a college student – staying up late playing games with your floormates, grabbing a mug at Mick’s Office and, you know, that whole going to class thing. Homecoming Weekend gives you the chance to relive these experiences and feel a little bit like you’re back in college. It’s the best weekend of the year to laugh, cry, smile, eat, dream and reflect on the good ol’ days. Seeing former professors, taking pictures at your favorite campus landmarks, and grabbing some Maize fries are all ways to steal back in time.

3. Taking in All the Changes

Campus is constantly changing, with new buildings and new presidents, renovated classrooms and dining centers. It’s so weird to think that this place we spent so much time at as students can in fact adapt and transform after we’ve left. Ivers and Jones are nearly unrecognizable and, for some alumni, the Bell Tower is a brand new sight to be seen! It’s cool to see how the campus continues to change over time and there’s never a better time to see these changes as Homecoming Weekend.

4. So Many Things to Do

There isn’t a shortage of activities at Homecoming – the weekend is jam-packed with concerts, banquets, breakfasts, a parade and games, so there’s something for everyone. Whether watching the Concordia choir, band and orchestra perform their latest works or cheering on the football and soccer teams as they play on a beautiful Saturday afternoon, everyone can find events and activities to bring back feelings of nostalgia.

5. Homecoming is Kind of a Big Deal

Homecoming at Concordia isn’t like most schools – it’s so much more. School spirit doesn’t even begin to describe the feelings Cobbers experience when they see the droves of maroon and gold streaming down Eighth Street, hear the cheers of lutefisk and lefse echoing across campus, or the pride of belting out the words of our fight song. Decades of Cobbers trek back to campus each year – and it’s not for nothing. This place is magical, especially during Homecoming week and I hope every alum is able to make their way back this year.

Concordia is home, forever and always.

Soli Deo Gloria

Guest blog post by Matt Dymoke ’14

^{Published November 2016}