Homecoming Collection

The first Homecoming events were held at the University of Minnesota in November 1914. The October 5, 1914, Minnesota Alumni Weeklyreported that the “All-University Council (a student government organization) has decided to institute an annual ‘Home-coming’ celebration in connection with one of the big games (football) of each season. The date has been set this year for the day of the Wisconsin game (November 14, 1914).” In addition to the football game, activities at the first Homecoming included a button sale, a tour of Minneapolis and St. Paul campus buildings, a luncheon, a banquet, and a dance. Opinions differed on the success of the first Homecoming. With varying levels of participation and enthusiasm by alumni, students, and staff, annual celebrations for Homecoming continued with activities such as crowning a Homecoming Queen, decorating fraternity and sorority houses, holding a parade, putting on musical or variety shows, and holding an on-campus pep rally and bonfire added throughout the years. Campus participation was robust, particularly amongst greek society members.

Homecoming celebration activities were curtailed during World War I and World War II. Changing student attitudes about campus events, growing student interest in national and international issues (U.S. military involvement overseas, racial and gender equality, etc.), dwindling fraternity and sorority participation, and questioning of traditions such as crowning a Homecoming Queen and having a bonfire brought changes to Homecoming activities in the 1960s. No homecoming parades were held in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and few students participated in Homecoming events during this time, prompting events such as bonfires, Homecoming royalty, button sales, fraternity and sorority house decorations, and dances to be scaled back or dropped.

By 1975, an all-University emphasis began with student coordinators and the University Alumni Association working to make Homecoming relevant and enjoyable for students and alumni. New activities were added such as mini-marathons, concerts, film screenings, seminars, and speakers, and traditional Homecoming events began to re-emerge in the mid- and late 1970s including royalty competitions, bonfires, and parades. Events to benefit local non-profit and service organizations were added to Homecoming in the 1980s and 1990s as were intramural sports and talent competitions in the 2000s.