By Ariel C. Emberton, staff writer/photographer, Office of University Communications
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - This year's Homecoming festivities for Campbellsville University will look different than in years past due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ashley Fox, director of alumni relations, said the university made the decision to go virtual with her Homecoming celebration due to the uncertainty of the pandemic. “Since we cannot gather in large groups on campus, we decided to bring the festivities to the comfort of everyone's home,” she said.
Fox said there was a lot of back and forth about what to do with Homecoming this year, but they didn't want to cancel altogether because the university still wanted to be able to connect alumni back to campus like prior years.
She said people will still find a lot of the tradition of Homecoming in these virtual events, just done in a different way such as the car show and the crowning of Homecoming queen.
This year's virtual Homecoming festivities will begin Thursday, Oct. 22 at noon with a Cyber Scavenger Hunt. The Scavenger Hunt will take place on Campbellsville University's Facebook and Instagram pages.
Challenges will be posted every hour throughout the day until 8 p.m. Participants will need to take photos of themselves with the object, post it on social media and tag the respective Campbellsville University social media page. For each submission made, the participant's name will be entered into a drawing for a $250 Amazon gift card.
There will also be a tribute to the Class of 1970 on Oct. 22. Normally the class would have celebrated its 50th class reunion by been inducted into the Golden Heritage Club via an in-person celebration. This celebration will be held in the spring, but a tribute will be paid to the class in the form of a video.
Those in the Class of 1970 were encouraged to send in a video talking about their memories during their time spent at the then Campbellsville College. The clips will be pieced together in a video and spotlighted on the Campbellsville University YouTube channel.
On Friday, Oct. 23 at 2 p.m. a tour of campus will be held via Facebook Live. This tour will showcase changes that have taken place across campus over the last year.
The guide will take viewers through new and old buildings and talk about what is happening across campus. Viewers are encouraged to keep an eye out for familiar faculty, staff and coaches.
Another event held on Oct. 23 is Rewind Back in Time. During this event viewers will be able to see the past, present and future of Campbellsville University. Photos from when the institution began as Russell Creek Academy to the current look of campus will be included.
Several key figures will also be invited to speak on their time spent at the university and how they have helped shape her into who she is today. At 4 p.m. viewers will be able to tune in to the Campbellsville University's YouTube channel for the video.
On Saturday, Oct. 24, the Homecoming activities will kick off with the Play, Paws, Rewind Parade. Anyone is welcome to submit a video of themselves driving, walking, etc. from left to right for the parade at https://www.campbellsville.edu/play-paws-rewind-parade/. The deadline to turn in a video is Oct. 19 at noon. Videos will be compiled together and can be viewed on the Campbellsville University YouTube channel.
From noon until 2 p.m. on the Campbellsville University Facebook and Instagram pages, a Trivia Game will be taking place throughout campus. Viewers will have to identify iconic buildings and places that have set the scene for countless memories made over the years by students and visitors alike. Those who answer the questions correctly will be entered for a chance to win a $250 Amazon gift card on Facebook or a basket of Campbellsville University swag on Instagram.
The annual Homecoming Car Show will also be taking place in a virtual format on Oct. 24. To enter a vehicle, send a photo to the following link: https://www.campbellsville.edu/virtual-car-show/. A three-quarter view of the car is preferred. Vehicles may be entered in the following categories: students, alumni, faculty, coaches or staff and public.
Voting for favorites will take place online the weeks leading up to Homecoming with a prize for the best in each category as well as an overall winner. Winners will receive plaques and will be announced at 1 p.m. on Campbellsville University's Facebook page.
At 2:01 p.m. Finley Time, Darryl Peavler, director of athletic alumni and former Fighting Tiger, will take viewers on a trip through the years of Fighting Tiger Football. From 1987 until today, viewers will journey through the years and see highlights of the most memorable games and hear from special guests. The video will be shown on Campbellsville University's YouTube channel.
The tradition of Homecoming Court will continue through the Student Government Association's crowning of the Homecoming Queen. A student representing a club, residence hall, sport, etc. will be voted on by her fellow peers to claim the title. The winner will be announced at 3 p.m. on Campbellsville University's YouTube channel.
The last Homecoming event will be the virtual race. Anyone wanting to participate in the annual Homecoming race will need to run, walk or jog a 5K/10K/Half Marathon anywhere on their own or with a group while socially distancing. This can be done on a trail, track, gym, etc. Individuals can run at their own pace, time themselves and then submit their time at the Campbellsville University Homecoming link https://www.campbellsville.edu/virtual-homecoming-race-time-submission/.
To register for the race, visit the following link https://www.campbellsville.edu/virtual-homecoming-race-2020/ by Oct. 19. Cost is $20 and includes a finisher's medal and printable racing bib. A discount will be available for students. Prizes will be awarded to the top male and female in each category and winners will be announced at 3:30 p.m. on the Campbellsville University Facebook page.
Links to Campbellsville University's social media pages are as follows: Facebook, https://bit.ly/3cThGZa; Instagram, https://bit.ly/33maXnr; and YouTube, https://bit.ly/34hibIE.
“When I took this job last year, never in a million years did I think we would be planning a virtual Homecoming,” Fox said.
“But sometimes you have to roll with the punches and make the best of the situation at hand. Our hope is that we will be able to engage even more alumni than before, especially the younger alumni, because it will be more accessible and they won't have to leave the house,” Fox said.
For more information contact Fox at amfox@campbellsville.edu or (270) 789-5149.
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 11,900 students offering over 100 programs of study including Ph.D., master, baccalaureate, associate, pre-professional and certification programs. The website for complete information is www.campbellsville.edu.
Campbellsville University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award certificates, associate, baccalaureate, masters and doctoral degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the status of Campbellsville University.