In a strong start to a week of homecoming festivities, the official kickoff event was a roaring success.
In the Student Union (SU), a sea of students in black and gold signed up for the event or showed their registration on the MyEngagement application. After doing so, they could get a ticket for free food carts out front of the SU. These tickets could be redeemed for either a delicious Belgian waffle from Marty’s Waffles or a savory treat from Sea Cuisine.
The waffles were a favorite of NKU Assistant Director of Student Engagement Samantha Mason, one of the primary event organizers. She emphasized the importance of not just the amazing food (although admittedly a major highlight), but the event’s larger purpose.
“We really wanted to be able to have that kickoff to homecoming week to start the week off right and get people in the NKU spirit,” she said.
The official kickoff was held in the ballroom, with appearances from NKU Cheer, NKU’s National Pan-Hellenic Council organizations and Victor E. Viking himself. This was also where voting took place for the Homecoming Helmet Competition, showcasing Viking helmets painted by various campus organizations.
A variety of rooms offered many different activities, from stuffing your own Norse Up pillow to karaoke to getting an airbrushed t-shirt. The only non-negotiables were Norse Pride and the inevitability of being enthusiastically “menaced” by a friendly Victor.
There were opportunities for everyone, whether you wanted to quietly color or dance your heart out in the SU hallway to the DJ’s mixture of current pop music and nostalgic hits. Even Victor and President Cady Short-Thompson joined in on the party.
NKU Director of Student Engagement Joe Lepone was excited for his first homecoming at NKU, enjoying the spirited cheering from students and the presence of so many community members supporting the school and students.
To Lepone, the main point of homecoming–and the kickoff in particular–was clear.
“Tonight, this is an opportunity for us to show our Norse pride, to be together, to celebrate, have fun, and really just kick off a really exciting week,” he said.