By Whitney Jones
Union students and alumni celebrated Homecoming 2009 with the traditional ceremonies during the halftimes of the men’s and women’s basketball games Nov. 7.
The ceremonies opened with the introduction of Mr. Union, Scott McSwain, senior Spanish major, and Miss Union, Courtney Bragg, senior TESL and psychology double major.
Mr. and Miss Union are elected each year from a ballot of 10 men and 10 women to represent the university and lead the annual ceremonies.
“(Becoming Mr. Union) completely took me off-guard,” McSwain said. “I did not expect to win because I respected those (other) men. My grandparents were super proud.”
McSwain and Bragg announced the homecoming court, which consisted of Nadja Barros, freshman nursing major; Libby Parks, sophomore nursing major; Kari Beougher, junior social work major; Kelly Reed, senior TESL major; Natalie West, senior public relations major; Katy Pope, senior art major; and Kristen Voorhies, senior music and English major.
Each of these representatives was nominated by members of the Student Government Association, and was voted to her position by her class. The homecoming queen was then determined from the four senior representatives by an election open to all classes.
Dr. David Dockery, university president, his wife Lanese Dockery and Rachael Moore Mogle, the former homecoming queen, crowned Pope as queen.
“It has been a huge honor to serve as a leader on this great campus, and I am very humbled by this honor,” Pope said after receiving her crown.
At the next portion of the homecoming ceremonies during the halftime of the men’s game, the winner of the Presidential Homecoming Cup was announced.
Student groups on campus participate in the Presidential Homecoming Cup competition by creating banners for the hallways, supporting specific athletes during Homecoming Week, participating in costume karaoke and competing in the social work department’s dodgeball tournament. The winner is determined by a point system.
“The Presidential Homecoming Cup competition is a great way for students or organizations to be involved in the different dimensions of Homecoming Week and support our basketball teams and coaches,” said Joy Moore, director of student programs.
Student Activities Council received the Presidential Homecoming Cup and $500 for winning this year’s competition.
Even though this year’s competition is over, some participants are already thinking of improvements.
“(This award) gives us an incentive to work harder next year for the students to have a bigger and better homecoming,” said Brett Perkins, sophomore business administration major and SAC member.
