Temple University students and faculty members celebrated the beginning of Homecoming 2001 with a series of events that began Oct. 5 and end on Oct. 14.
The third annual fall festival was held at the Bell Tower on 13th Street, and along the Liacouras Walk on Tuesday, Oct. 9. Student organizations, academic departments and vendors participated in the festivities.
Students gathered at the Bell Tower at 11 a.m. to watch such bands as the Walking Stick, Hydrogen Juke Box, Odyssey, Love Syndicate Great Music, and The Hot High Rollers Dance Troupe.
The alternative rock band Hydrogen Juke Box held the audience’s attention by combining guitar, vocals, electric bass, keyboard and drums.
“At first I think the crowd was skeptical. It took them a while to warm up, but then they began to feel our energy,” said drummer Eric Broomfield. Broomfield described the group’s music as “psychedelic” because of the way the rhythm flows.
Although classes remained in session, some students had the opportunity to stop between classes to enjoy the food, entertainment and games held at the Bell Tower.
“We get a transit population almost every hour,” said Program Coordinator of Student Activities Arnold Boyd.
Boyd worked on organizing the stage for the Bell Tower concert for a month to give students the opportunity to showcase their talents in public. He hoped to provide a music outlet for upcoming musicians.
The five bands were selected based on the various biographies and tapes that were submitted to Student Activities.
“Homecoming is a great occasion for the Temple community to get together and cheer bright moments,” said Boyd.
Temple University has a history of serving the surrounding community through outreach programs. This year, the Homecoming Community Service Outreach was held on Saturday, Oct. 6 at FDR Park, which is part of Fairmount Park.
Despite the rainy weather, all 72 participants showed up to help beautify the community. They planted 200 trees and collected debris in order to preserve the park.
“We were having a blast,” said Coordinator of Community Service Ray DeStephanis.
Like every year, members of the Greek sororities and fraternities presented a show of singing and dancing. The “Greek Showcase” was hosted by Graduate Assistant of Greek Affairs Domenic Mingacci, and was held in the Great Court in Mitten Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 9.
Some Greek organizations that participated were Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity, Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, Phi Sigma Sigma Sorority, Alpha Epsilon Phi Sorority, Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
This year the Greek Showcase introduced the new Order of Omega Members, a national honor society that inducts two percent of the Greek community per year. About 22 existing members were inducted.
Membership is based on academics, scholarship, activities and leadership, said Mingacci.
Homecoming ends on Oct. 14 with the Parents’ Weekend Brunch and Admissions Open House.
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