Campus Homecoming prep begins early at WKU
October 17, 2011
WKU expects around 20,000 visitors to campus during
Homecoming week.
With numbers like that, campus cleanup and setup for
events becomes critical to the week’s success.
The Campus and Community Events department begins
preparations as early as four to six weeks before Homecoming
week.
After the date is set, the department begins looking
for events that might require special setup or equipment.
The biggest difference this year is
the parade. In previous years, the parade has ended downtown in
Fountain Square and students walked back to campus for Big Red’s
Roar. This year, Big Red’s Roar will take place in the Square,
which Jeff Younglove, director of Campus and Community Events, said
makes things easier for his department.
Besides all the events going on during the week,
almost every department is hosting some type of reception or dinner
that requires tables, chairs, setup and cleanup crews.
For example, 300 people are expected to attend the
Hall of Fame induction on Friday. Many of the events also involve
WKU alumni, who will be recognized for their volunteerism and other
ways they help WKU during the year.
Younglove says his department “works closely with the
alumni to make sure everything gets done and everyone’s
happy.”