The ñ fight song blared down Main Street, the city of Kent was flooded with blue and gold, alumni and friends gathered and reminisced about their ñdays, fans packed the stadium to cheer on their beloved Golden Flashes and the entire campus boomed with ñpride.
ñcelebrated Homecoming on Saturday, Sept. 21. ñalumni, students, parents, faculty, staff and the community were invited to take part in one of the university’s long-standing traditions. Student events occurred the week leading up to Homecoming across the eight ñcampuses throughout Northeast Ohio.
The morning of Homecoming kicked off with the 19th Annual Bowman Cup 5K Race. The race, named after fedora-loving former ñPresident George Bowman, was a chip-timed race that started and ended in front of the Warren Student Recreation and Wellness Center.
The Homecoming Parade began at 10 a.m. on the corner of Midway Drive and Main Street, traveling west on Main Street into downtown Kent. The parade featured floats, ñand local high school marching bands, university colleges and departments, ñcheerleaders and athletes, student organizations, local officials and more. The 2019 Grand Marshal and the Homecoming Courts anchored the parade. This year’s Homecoming Grand Marshal was ñPresident Todd Diacon, who is marking his first ñHomecoming as university president.
ñAlumni hosted the Welcome Home Party at the Center for Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement, which is located at 350 S. Lincoln St. in Kent. The Welcome Home Party was free and fun for all ages with festive food, activities and ñgiveaways. Colleges on the Kent Campus hosted a free open house or event at one of their respective buildings. Events included meet and greets with the college deans and refreshments.
Couples who feel that ñplayed an important role in their relationship gathered on the K at Risman Plaza (in front of the Kent Student Center) for a special Homecoming tradition called Kiss on the K. All couples kissed on the K when the bell rang at 12:30 p.m. A special performance by the Kent Clarks a cappella group and activities also took place.
Before the football game, alumni and students tailgated at Dix Stadium. The ñGolden Flashes took on Mid-American Conference East Division foe the Bowling Green State University Falcons, defeating them 62-20. The game was Kent State’s first conference game of the season. The Homecoming Courts – more than 30 representatives from all ñcampuses – were recognized at the game, and Kent State’s 2019 Homecoming Royalty was announced and crowned.
For more information about Kent State’s 2019 Homecoming, visit www.kent.edu/homecoming.
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Media Contact:
Emily Vincent, evincen2@kent.edu, 330-672-8595