Ninety-one years of tradition, people, and events that have helped establish Homecoming at the University of Arkansas. The history itself reveals the transformation of diversity on campus and the determination of campaigning during a worldwide pandemic.
Let’s take it back to when it all started in 1922. The U of A University Relations director Charlie Alison has rich knowledge of the History of Homecoming and talks about the unique beginning.
“It got started because the university wanted to invite back alumni and started with contacting the first graduate of the university William Wagner. He graduated in 1876 and He ended up being the first person to get a diploma from the University of Arkansas.”
According to Alison this first Homecoming also sparked the idea of a young Cartoonist Doy Hancock to create the first drawing of the beloved Razorback mascot.
“When he looked at the existing drawing of the Razorback, he said it was sort of a boney bowed up version of a dog and in his dormitory he mentioned he could draw a much better drawing than that. Some of the upperclassmen took offense and said he wouldn’t leave the dorm room until he drew a better one, so he sat down and drew a better one.”
Hancock worked on revisions for the drawing for the next two years and in 1924 his final piece was displayed the week of Homecoming. The drawing is a symbol of how Homecoming inspired a student to contribute to the university, but also to let one of its first ever students of diversity create change on campus.
Hancock was a member of the Choctaw Native American tribe and his drawing for the 1924 Homecoming stands as a historic moment for the beginning of diversity and inclusion on campus.
Fast forward eighty five years to the 2009 Homecoming to where one Queen vocalized for diverse students.
Kimberley Williams is one of the few African American Women to be crowned Homecoming Queen and her mission was to create a deeper meaning behind the crown.
“When I think about why I was even inspired to run for the courts, when I think about primarily my Godfather who was a mentor to me, Elon Harris, he was an alum of the university and was actually one of the first African American cheerleaders as well. He had passed away and I knew it was something he had always talked about me doing.”
Thanks to her Godfather Elon Harris, Williams challenged herself to be a representative for diversity on campus.
“I felt strongly about the court, kind of representing and truly looking like the students that populate the campus”
Since 2009 only one other African American Woman has been named Homecoming Queen, but each year the court has become more and more diverse.
In 2020 Homecoming would go through one of its biggest transformations it has ever had. The worldwide pandemic known as Covid-19 put regulations on almost all Homecoming traditions.
The 2020 Homecoming Queen Katie Gardner experienced the excitement of being crowned, but with none of the traditions that followed.
“During the 2020 Homecoming there were no banquets, only virtual experiences for the court and then leading up to a socially distanced pep rally. Then we didn’t have your traditional walk that the King and Queen get to do after they are crowned.”
These stories throughout years have built the History of Homecoming at the U of A. They are a reminder of the many inspiring people and traditions that have shaped the University to what it is today.