Traditionally, the Grand Marshal of Mizzou Homecoming is an alumni who represents excellence. This year, however, MU is not choosing a single person to be the Grand Marshal but instead chose several members of the founding families of MU.
“The university is honoring the descendants of 900 Boone County citizens who donated to the fundraiser back in the 1830s to help make sure the university was built here in Columbia,” MU spokesman Nathan Hurst said.
These descendants will be honored at the Homecoming Parade and the football game. Todd McCubbin, executive director of the MU Alumni Association, said he believes the selection celebrates more than just the university’s founding.
“We are honoring the story of the founding university and its beliefs of family and philanthropy,” he said. “It’s something that students, faculty, staff and grad students should know.”
Homecoming dates back to the year 1911, with a football game against MU’s rival, the University of Kansas. The MU athletics director at the time, Chester L. Brewer, decided to invite Mizzou alumni for a “come home” game to boost MU spirit in the game against KU.
As of now, approximately 50 of the original “founding families” are scheduled to be at the Homecoming festivities.
McCubbin said he believes that what makes the celebration so special is students’ campus-wide involvement in the event.
Organizations, residential halls and students all across campus receive support from MU alumni to take pride in the celebration.
“(Homecoming) is directed by students, and they participate fully in these events,” he said. “They’ve been at school for two months, and it’s the first thing they really get to do together.”
While the actual Homecoming game against Vanderbilt University isn’t until Oct. 25, MU is leading up to it with a week full of activities.
Hurst said some of these events include the annual Homecoming Parade on Saturday morning, and Campus Decorations on Friday night, located in Greek Town.
“Some (of the activities) are sponsored by the MAA (Mizzou Alumni Association), some by other groups, but they get everyone in the spirit for Homecoming,” McCubbin said.
The annual Decorate the District event will be held Oct. 23, and the Homecoming Step Show, hosted by the National PanHellenic Council, will take place Oct. 24.
This year will also feature a few special changes to the event lineup, since MU is celebrating its 175th anniversary.
On Oct. 24, Chancellor R. Bowen Loftin will dedicate the newly constructed Traditions Plaza, located on Carnahan Quad, across the street from Jesse Hall (see story on right). McCubbin said that the space is a gift from MAA to MU.
“It will be a great place for pep rallies and concerts, and it is going to enhance the student experience,” he said.