CCU announces 2018 Homecoming theme: “Haunted Homecomingâ€
Planning for Homecoming week began back in May, when the Office of Student Life met to brainstorm with students from several on-campus organizations, including students from the Coastal Activities Board and Student Government Association.
"So far, the reaction to the theme has been excitement, because it opens the door for student organizations to be creative," said Whitney Comer, executive director of student life. This semester, there is a new app for students to use called Corq, which is synced with Coastal Connections and displays a list of upcoming events and provides information about campus organizations. Comer is hoping that students will download and use the app throughout the semester and that it will encourage them to attend Homecoming events.
"We want to make Homecoming every student's event, not just one event that revolves around student organizations," Comer said.
Tickets for events listed below can be purchased or picked up in person at the Wheelwright Auditorium Box Office Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., unless otherwise noted. The schedule is as follows:
Sunday, Oct. 28
The Zombie Run will start at the CCU track at 6 p.m. The Zombie Run is open to the public. There will be a $10 registration fee, and individuals will have to sign up to participate. The run will be across campus. This event is in partnership with the Department of Recreation and Sport Management and will raise funds for SOS Healthcare, a local nonprofit organization that supports individuals with autism and intellectual disabilities.
Monday, Oct. 29
The CCU Farmers Market will be set up on Prince Lawn starting at 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. The event will include a pumpkin decorating station. Vendors will be selling locally grown fruits and vegetables, as well as other items. The event is free to attend and is open to the public. The Miss Teal and Bronze Pageant will take place in Wheelwright Auditorium at 7 p.m., and it is open to the public. The event is free but ticketed.
Tuesday, Oct. 30
Student organizations will break out the chalk and draw on the sidewalks around Prince Lawn for "Paint the Campus Teal," which lasts from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. "Paint the Campus Teal" is part of a student organization competition that occurs during Homecoming week. There are several events that count toward an overall Homecoming Winner in two categories: large organization small organization. The organizations are judged on creativity and use of the Halloween theme in their chalk drawings.
Some of CCU's students will be performing at the Talent Show at 7 p.m. in Wheelwright Auditorium. The event is free and open to the public, but it is ticketed.
Wednesday, Oct. 31
CCU will be celebrating Halloween once the sun goes down. The Haunted Festival starts at 9 p.m. on Prince Lawn. The public is welcome to come and enjoy the festivities at this family-friendly event. There will be a haunted forest set up in the wooded area near Prince Lawn, along with a DJ, food, games and a costume competition.
Thursday, Nov. 1
The Conway Block Party will take place from 4-7 p.m. in the lot on the corner of Second Avenue and Laurel Avenue in downtown Conway. It is open to the public and no tickets are required. There will be a DJ, free food, Homecoming items and various games such as corn hole, can jam and more. Shuttle service to the block party will be available from campus.
Beginning at 9 p.m. in the HTC Center, fans will welcome the start of basketball season at Hoopla. The players from the men and women's basketball teams will be introduced and participate in a dunk contest.
Friday, Nov. 2
The Alumni Golf Tournament will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Hackler Golf Course on campus. Participants must pay a registration fee to play. Registration opens on Sept. 21 through the Alumni Office. Visit coastal.edu/alumni.
The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) Step Show will begin at 7 p.m. in Wheelwright Auditorium. Greek organizations will showcase their best dance routines. Tickets for this event will go on sale about one week prior to Homecoming week.
Saturday, Nov. 3
Fans root for the Chanticleers at Brooks Stadium as the football team takes on Appalachian State University. This year's Homecoming king and queen will be announced at halftime. Tickets for the football game go on sale on Oct. 3 at 9 a.m. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket office in Arcadia Hall at 132 Chanticleer Drive W., or online at GoCCUsports.com.
The Office of Student Life
The Office of Student Life hosts dozens of other events throughout the academic year geared toward students but that are also open to the public, along with other opportunities to get involved at CCU, such as leadership development, civic engagement and Greek life. With more than 160 student clubs and organizations to join, the goal of the Office of Student Life is to have something that interests every student.
One of the biggest events of each semester is Organization Kick-off Day, which is hosted by the Office of Student Life. This semester's event was Wednesday, Aug. 22, on Prince Lawn from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event gives students the opportunity to stop by tables staffed by organization members and learn about ways they join CCU's clubs and organizations to get involved.
"It can be a little overwhelming for freshmen, but for returning students, Organization Kick-Off Day is a big open event to see each other again," said Comer. "It's a good opportunity for freshmen especially to see what organizations are there."
Also on Aug. 22, Greek 101, an information session for students interested in joining a fraternity or sorority on campus, was in Wheelwright Auditorium at 7 p.m. Following Greek 101, students can get to know the members of the organizations at Greek 101 - Meet the Organizations, a gathering in Spadoni Park at 7:30 p.m.
Coastal Greek Day will be Aug. 29 on Prince Lawn, where students can meet and mingle with members of fraternities and sororities and learn more about each one.
"It's like Organization Kickoff Day, but just for Greek organizations," said Comer. Sorority recruitment will take place over Labor Day weekend; fraternity recruitment will be Sept. 9-13.
Family Weekend is Oct. 12-14. To register for all the Family Weekend events - from mini-golf outings to a food truck festival - go to coastal.edu/nsfp/family/fw.
For more information about the Office of Student Life, visit coastal.edu/osl. Follow @CCUInvolved on Twitter.