Week of activities for KU Homecoming begins Oct. 23

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas will host its 111th Homecoming Oct. 23-28. The week will feature a variety of events for alumni and students, culminating in the KU football game against Oklahoma on Oct. 28 in David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.

The theme for this year’s Homecoming celebration is “Rah Rah Jayhawk,” a nod to the origins of the Rock Chalk chant and Jayhawk nostalgia. Homecoming activities will include:

• Oct. 23, 5:30-7:30 p.m.: Homecoming Kickoff at the Jayhawk Welcome Center. Get details on all the events of the upcoming week in a fun, festive atmosphere, with a performance by the KU Spirit Squad and special guest appearances.
• Oct. 24, 10 p.m.-midnight: Glowtopia at Royal Crest Lanes, 933 Iowa St. Enjoy a neon-bright night of bowling, complete with free food and prizes, all in a spectacular, glow-in-the-dark setting. KU students and alumni bowl free.
• Oct. 25, 6:30-11:30 p.m.: Hawktober Movie Night at Central Field by Stouffer Place Apartments. Head outdoors for an entertainment-filled fall evening featuring a showing of the movie “Haunted Mansion” (2023) plus food, games and a Halloween costume contest.
• Oct. 26, 6-8 p.m.: Alumni Trivia Night at Wayne & Larry’s, 933 Iowa St. Test your knowledge of KU history for prizes, plus enjoy networking opportunities and more with the KU Alumni Association.
• Oct. 26, 6:30-10 p.m.: Mike and Joyce Shinn African American Leaders and Innovators Award reception at the Jayhawk Welcome Center. The KU Black Alumni Network will host this event recognizing and celebrating Black alumni. There will be a meet-and-greet with Chancellor Douglas A. Girod, and dinner will be served. Get more details and register.
• Oct. 27, 1-3 p.m.: Home Football Friday: Homecoming Fest! at the Jayhawk Welcome Center. Get in the spirit for Saturday’s football game against Oklahoma with activities hosted by the KU Alumni Association’s Student Alumni Network and Student Union Activities, including music from DJ Mac, refreshments from Pickleman’s and a 360 photo booth experience presented by Truity Credit Union.
• Oct. 27, 3-6 p.m.: KU Black Alumni Network Reunion Weekend activities at the Jayhawk Welcome Center. Connect with students and alumni on tours of campus and the Jayhawk Welcome Center and during a special Mocktails and Mingle gathering featuring an alumni panel, food and beverages.
• Oct. 27, 5:30 p.m.: Rock Chalk Block Party on Mass Street. Join fellow Jayhawks for an evening of music, games and activities, including the Homecoming Pep Rally and a concert by country artist Michael Ray. The free event, hosted by Kansas Athletics, is presented by Central Bank and supported by Adidas.
• Oct. 28, 8:30-10:30 a.m.: Gameday at the Jayhawk Welcome Center. All Jayhawks are welcome to stop by and enjoy a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere ahead of KU’s matchup against Oklahoma. At 9:30, artist Megh Knappenberger will be unveiling a new series of paintings for the recently renovated Adams Alumni Center. A cash bar and light snacks will be available.

All KU student organizations registered through Rock Chalk Central are invited to participate in the Homecoming Student Competition, which includes signature events such as the Homecoming Sign Competition, Chalk ’n’ Rock and Jayhawk Jingles. More information on the Homecoming Student Competition and a complete schedule of events can be found at kualumni.org/homecoming.

At halftime of the Oct. 28 football game, KU will announce the winners of the 2023 Konica Minolta Excellence in Community, Education and Leadership (ExCEL) Award and the Jennifer Alderdice Homecoming Award. Nominees for the ExCEL Award were selected based on their leadership, communication skills, involvement at KU and in the Lawrence community, academic scholarship, and ability to work with a variety of students and organizations. The Jennifer Alderdice Homecoming Award recognizes students who demonstrate outstanding loyalty and dedication to the university.

The selection committee included representatives from the KU Alumni Association, Student Involvement & Leadership Center, Emily Taylor Center for Women & Gender Equity, Student Union Activities/Kansas Memorial Union and the Homecoming Steering Committee. Fourteen student finalists have been selected from the pool of applicants for this year’s awards:

• Ahmad Azhar, a senior in mechanical engineering and communication studies from Mailsi, Pakistan.
• Camden Baxter, a senior in economics with minors in math and Spanish from Andover.
• David Betts, a senior in information systems from Brooklyn, New York.
• Cooper Curtin, a junior in finance with minors in Spanish and entrepreneurship from Centennial, Colorado.
• Taylor Durst, a junior in psychology and sport management from Hills, Minnesota.
• DaNae Estabine, a junior in psychology and philosophy from Olathe.
• Libby Frost, a senior in business administration on the pre-med track from WaKeeney.
• Jordan Nevels, a senior in theatre performance with a minor in film & media from Overland Park.
• Thanh Tan Nguyen, a senior in business analytics and supply chain management from Phu Yen, Vietnam.
• Yash Prajapati, a junior in applied mathematics and interdisciplinary computing in economics from Gujarat, India.
• Emma Saville, a junior in multimedia journalism with a minor in photography from Mulvane.
• Aarush Sehgal, a junior in molecular, cellular and developmental biology from Chandigarh, India.
• Navya Singh, a senior in biochemistry from Chandigarh, India.
• Selia Walton, a junior in project management and environmental studies with a minor in strategic communications from Blue Springs, Missouri.

This year’s Homecoming celebration is sponsored by Central Bank of the Midwest, Konica Minolta, KU Bookstore, Pepsi Zero Sugar and StoneHill Hotel. Jayhawks can purchase the official 2023 “Rah Rah Jayhawk” Homecoming T-shirt online from the KU Bookstore.

For more information and to view the full schedule of Homecoming activities, including events at the KU Edwards Campus, go to kualumni.org/homecoming.

About the KU Alumni Association

Through the support of members and donors, the KU Alumni Association advocates for the University of Kansas, communicates with Jayhawks in all media, recruits students and volunteers, serves the KU community, and unites Jayhawks. For more information, visit kualumni.org.