Homecoming at N.C. State officially ended Saturday.
In total, the University hosted 42 Homecoming events, including a Cupcake War, blood drive and several reunions for each college. One thousand people attended the annual Ram Roast, and 34 Hillsborough Street vendors participated in Paint the Town Red on Oct. 28.
“After winning the ‘Most Outstanding Tried and True Program’ award from the Council of Advancement and Support of Education last year, we could not be more thrilled with how N.C. State’s 126th Homecoming week went,” said Emily Collier, co-director of the Homecoming committee.
During the canned food drive Wednesday, the University collected 23,379 cans, breaking its goal of 16,500. This food will be donated to Triangle-based food shelters.
“We went above and beyond many goals that we set for participation, service and overall expectation of events,” Collier said.
Collier also said receiving Champion Level Sustainability Certification was another highlight of this year’s celebration. The certification is offered by the University Sustainability Office for events that incorporate sustainable choices involving food, waste reduction, purchasing, education, marketing, transportation, energy, water and service. This year’s Homecoming was nearly paperless because of a new mobile app, which included details on utilizing alternative transit to events along with other Homecoming details.
Collier said the Homecoming committee experienced much success through the Red and White Homecoming app, which debuted this year and was downloaded 3,723 times.
Kate Howie, the Homecoming director, said that the committee has been planning the Homecoming events since December 2012.
“We are always inspired by our passion for this university,” Howie said. “All of our events are geared towards providing a celebratory environment for students and alumni, alike. Homecoming, at its core, brings us all together to cherish and appreciate all of the great things that this university has provided for each one of us.”
Due to inclement weather, organizers cancelled the Homecoming parade, which was set to take place Friday. As a result, the Thomas H. Stafford Jr. Spirit Bell award was given at halftime during the game Saturday. The award is given each year to the winner of the Alumni Association’s Homecoming Spirit Competition. Kappa Delta and Theta Chi took first place, Delta Gamma and Pi Kappa Phi took second, and Sigma Alpha Omega and Beta Upsilon Chi claimed third.
The Wolfpack lost its match against UNC-Chapel Hill Saturday. The final score was 27-19.
