Homecoming 2014 schedule of events

Maya Earls
Spectrum Editor

Homecoming returns to VCU this week, with the 2014 rendition’s official theme being “Project Destruction: Duquesne Demolition.” The celebration begins on Jan. 13 and lasts until Jan. 19. While daily events are scheduled around campus, students can also participate in festivities online through the homecoming social media challenge. Any photos posted online using the hashtag #vcuprojectdestruction will be considered in the contest. The student who takes the most creative pictures will win a mystery prize from one of this year’s homecoming artists.

Jan. 13

Homecoming Week starts at 6 p.m. with “RAMNADO,” hosted by Residential Life and Housing. Assistant director of the homecoming committee Kiana Grant said there will be games and giveaways.

“This is like a big kick-off event to say, ‘It’s homecoming, get ready because this week will be full of surprises,’” Grant said. The first homecoming social media challenge requires students to take a picture with the VCU letters.

Jan. 14

Tuesday is “Black Out Day,” and students are encouraged to wear as much black as possible for special discounts at Rumors Boutique and Virginia Book Company. Students participating in the social media challenge have to take a picture with someone from the homecoming committee. The homecoming blood drive on the Monroe Park Campus begins at 10 a.m. near the Commons.

VCU’s Got Talent will take place from 6-8 p.m. in the Commonwealth Ballrooms at the Commons. Grant said to expect a wide variety of performers this year.

“It’s a free-for-all for faculty, staff and students,” Grant said. “You get the chance to show homecoming what you got.” Tickets for the show will be available in Breakpoint starting Jan. 13.

Jan. 15

Alpha Phi Alpha and the Black Student Union will host a “then and now” analysis of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision from noon-1 p.m. The presentation will be interactive, Grant said.

“I think because of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the university is what it is today,” Grant said. “We’re so quick to welcome diversity, but we tend to forget who brought diversity to us.”

Hoops fans can get an early dose of havoc when the women’s team takes on Fordham at 7 p.m. at the Siegel Center. Wednesday’s social media challenge requires students to take a picture at the game while cheering on their Lady Rams.

Jan. 16

Thursday is “Gold Out Day.” Like Black Out Day, Rumors Boutique and Virginia Book Company will offer deals for students covered in gold. Starting at 6 p.m., students can watch their favorite members of the homecoming court lip sync to classic songs, such as Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” or ‘N Sync’s “Bye, Bye, Bye.” The contest will take place in the Commonwealth Ballrooms; tickets will be available in Breakpoint for free starting Jan. 13. Anyone participating in the social media challenge should use the contest as an opportunity to take a picture with someone from the homecoming court.

Jan. 17

Friday’s festivities open with “Ram Xcitement” at noon in Breakpoint. At 2 p.m., Rodney the Ram will be in the Compass. The last requirement of the social media challenge is for students to take a picture with Rodney.

This year’s homecoming concert kicks off at 7 p.m. in the Siegel Center, featuring Mack Wilds, Jhené Aiko and Fabolous. VCU student performers selected by the homecoming committee will open for the

homecoming artists. Tickets cost $12 for students with a valid VCU ID and are on sale now at Breakpoint. The general public can purchase tickets to the concert for $25 at the Siegel Center or online through vcuathletics.com.

Jan. 18

Kicking off game-day events is the homecoming parade at 1 p.m., where student organizations will put their float-making skills to the test for a $100 prize. Because the parade is free for all participants to enter, Grant said the variety of floats and displays will be more extravagant than last year.

“We have everything ranging from the Equestrian Club and their horses, to the ladies of Richmond’s Roller Derby,” Grant said.

The parade will start at the Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School and make its way to Monroe Park where a festival will take place until 4 p.m. During the festival, food, games, and a large wrecking ball will be present. Next, the Student Government Association will host a Tailgate at 3 p.m., near the ram horns at the Student Commons.

Finally, the men’s basketball team will take on Duquesne at 4 p.m. at the Siegel Center. For those who do not have a ticket to the game, the Common Ground TV lounge inside the Student Commons will hold a game watch party from 4-9 p.m. The Fraternity and Sorority Life Alumni will also hold a watch party at Vintage, at Pearl Restaurant in the Fan from 3:30-9 p.m. Those who want to attend must register at greeksatvcu.celect.org.

Jan. 19

The last event of homecoming week will be a celebration dinner in remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the Richmond Salons of the Commons at 3 p.m. Those who want to attend the dinner need to register online through support.vcu.edu.

For students who have never participated in homecoming events, Grant said homecoming is one of the best ways to help people feel at home.

“People always think VCU is so big, and they can never find their place,” Grant said. “When you’re somewhere where people are welcoming … you get the real feeling of being a Ram, how it feels to be a great student and what it means to be at VCU.”