NW Missouri Times

Northwest Missouri State University will hold its annual Homecoming celebration from October 19 to 25, featuring a series of events for students, staff, alumni, and friends. The festivities begin on Sunday, October 19, with the hanging of banners at the J.W. Jones Student Union and conclude with the Homecoming football game on Saturday, October 25.

Among the highlights are the Homecoming parade, Bell of ’48 ringing ceremony, Variety Show, International Flag-Raising Ceremony, and a reunion for the Class of 1975. The Homecoming Executive Board this year is made up of Sarah Linder, Nessa Montgomery, Olivia Owen, and Jilliane Spiegel.

The Homecoming parade is scheduled to start at 9 a.m. on Saturday at Ray and College Avenue before proceeding east along Fourth Street to Main Street. It traditionally includes more than 100 entries such as marching bands and floats from both campus groups and community organizations.

Alumni are invited to attend a welcome event prior to the parade at 8 a.m. at the Michael L. Faust Center for Alumni and Friends. Reunion year classes are encouraged to pick up commemorative buttons and ribbons either at the Faust Center or during tailgating in College Park.

The Bearcat football team will play against the University of Nebraska-Kearney at Bearcat Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Tickets can be purchased online or by contacting Brenda Lutz, assistant athletic director for business and finance.

Other sports contests during Homecoming week include matches hosted by Northwest’s teams against Nebraska-Kearney on Sunday and Missouri Western State University on Friday.

Student organizations will participate in events such as the Donation Creation Contest—where canned goods are collected for local charities—and a banner decorating contest reflecting Bearcat pride. The Variety Show takes place Thursday evening in Charles Johnson Theater; tickets cost $5.

Homecoming royalty voting runs from midnight Wednesday, October 13 until midnight Tuesday, October 21 for undergraduate students via email instructions. Winners will be announced after Thursday’s Variety Show.

Friday marks Walkout Day—a tradition where classes are canceled for campus-wide activities including the Ringing of the Bell of ’48 at 8 a.m., distribution of T-shirts by the Student Activities Council starting at 7 a.m., and an International Flag-Raising Ceremony in Charles Johnson Theater that afternoon.

This year also features a dedication event for the Dr. Dean L. and Aleta Hubbard Hearth and Fireplace at Thomas Gaunt House—a new outdoor space funded by the Hubbard family intended to support hospitality within Northwest’s community.

Homecoming has been celebrated annually since its inception in October 1924 alongside a district teachers’ meeting; over time it has grown to include various traditions such as parades, dances, performances, and Walkout Day—which originated from an impromptu student holiday in 1915 but became an official event in 1977 after being reinstated following several years’ absence.