East Lansing resident Ben Stone holds daughter Emma on his shoulders on Friday October 12, 2012 at the Homecoming parade.
The week of Homecoming is a time for Spartans of all ages to unite and share the bond that is MSU. During the week of Oct. 8-13, the everyday stresses of students were interrupted by campus events to promote school spirit.
Sociology sophomore Alex Diaz said homecoming week is a good time to relax.
“It’s all a good stress reliever from school and work,” he said. “Fun needs to get mixed in there somewhere.”
Spartans knew it was time for Homecoming when a green glow took over campus.
Green, eco-friendly lightbulbs were provided to students in order to promote Homecoming and unite Spartans across campus and the community.
Diaz said he thought the bulbs were a good touch to an already fun week.
“I think it’s neat to see the green bulbs all across campus,” he said.
“I also think it spreads awareness about Homecoming because it causes people to ask what the bulbs are for.”
The Homecoming theme this year was “Spartans Will Make History.”
Students had the option to participate in Homecoming week activities across campus all week long.
Hayrides and History opened the week with Spartan Spirit cookies and guided tours, completing its 10th year as a Homecoming tradition.
The University Activities Board spirits and traditions director and Spanish junior Kaitlyn West said the annual activity seems to be a student favorite.
“What’s better than a favorite fall activity like getting a hayride and learning MSU history you didn’t know before?” she said. “It’s a very unique event and very interesting, and it’s just fun.”
While Hayrides and History is a favorite event amongst students, Diaz said any event involving Homecoming is bound to be a good time.
“Anything for Homecoming would be fun to participate,” he said.
Before the football game on Saturday, students had the opportunity to go through a tour of Beaumont Tower, provided by Tower Guard, the oldest student organization on campus.
Tower Guard is composed of a select group of the top 5 percent of sophomores.
The chosen students usually work with MSU’s Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities, but it has become a group Homecoming tradition to give tours of Beaumont Tower.
Tower Guard’s president and accounting sophomore Joey Etienne said giving tours of the campus trademark is a perfect Homecoming event.
“Not that many people get to see the tower,” he said. “I think it’s a landmark of MSU. It is MSU.”
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Other events throughout the week included Sparty’s Flag Find, Ice Cream at the Rock, Midnight Madness and the MSU Homecoming Court Reunion.
Although the 2012 Homecoming week concluded with rain and a bitter loss to Iowa, loyal Spartan fans of all ages maintain their MSU pride.
