Homecoming brings fairytale traditions with new twists

For 65 years Oklahoma Christian University has celebrated its success and heritage through homecoming, welcoming back alumni from across the country and around the world.

This year, Oklahoma Christian is hosting “A Fairytale Homecoming” with “Shrek – The Musical” headlining.

The homecoming committee has daily events planned for the student body. Social service clubs receive points based on member attendance at the events – those points with other factors, add up to crown a homecoming winner.

Homecoming kicks off Sunday with Chalk the Campus, where students can cover designated sidewalks with chalk drawings from 2–5 p.m. Chalk the Campus is followed by an ethos-approved devotional with Brute Wolf at 6 p.m. A pep rally at 7 p.m. will end the day. These events will take place in the forum.

Wolf is a doctor from Tulsa, Okla and has spoken on campus for several different occasions.

“He’s kind of a creative speaker, very lively, just different from what we’ve had in the past. It was just the perfect fit,” Dwayne Wiseman, executive director of homecoming said.

Monday night, clubs will compete in a game called CANstruction. Members bring canned goods for their club to use in order to construct a structure somehow related to Oklahoma Christian or a club’s homecoming theme.

After the event, the cans will be donated to the Edmond food bank.

“CANstruction is a fun and exciting way to make donating cans fun,” Wiseman said. “We are doing this service project to nonperishable food cans to the local food bank here in Edmond, Project 66.”

Wiseman said clubs might want to ask their members to bring specific cans in order to achieve the correct color for their desired construction project.

“I think the clubs are most looking forward to the CANstruction event because it is something so different and so unique,” Wiseman said. “I think that the university will be kind of excited about it.”

Students have the opportunity to join Shrek at his swamp for a party on Tuesday night at 8 p.m.

“The Swamp Party is just a huge party,” Wiseman said. “Since the homecoming musical is Shrek, we decided to label it Swamp Party. We’re going to decorate the barn in swamp material. We want people to come in swamp attire if they want to dress up. Just a huge party for people to come out and have a good time.”

Tuesday night will also begin Wednesday’s event with a game of Oklahoma Christian themed trivia at 8:45 p.m.

Students not in club will make up two teams competing against teams of club members. Non-members will receive prizes while clubs will receive points toward the homecoming winner.

Following church on Wednesday night, students are invited to attend the OC Games, located in the Rec Gym and Barn. The games begin at 8:30 p.m. and will last until 11 p.m.

“I am the most excited for the OC Games just because it is so different than anything we’ve had before,” Wiseman said “It’s another level just because we have a huge trophy involved so I think it will add a little motivation for each of the clubs.”

Games include tug of war, swamp ball (dodge ball), an egg toss and human knot. The club that wins OC Games overall will earn a trophy.

Club members are not required to attend any events for points Thursday night in order to give them the chance to attend the first showing of the homecoming musical, “Shrek.” “Shrek” will also have showings on Friday and Saturday.

Before each showing of the musical, the university is hosting a “Tea With Princess Fiona” for children.

After the musical, the Chick-fil-A at Edmond Crossing is hosting a sundae party from 10:30–11 p.m.

Friday night three food trucks, Chick n’ Wangs, Mob Grill and Twisted Pretzel, will be in the circle drive in front of the library. Mob Grill is back from last year’s homecoming food truck event.

Vanderzee, a band comprised of two Oklahoma Christian alumni, will be performing.

Tickets for the food truck event are $3 and are required for eating at the food trucks, and are good for one meal at a single truck. Tickets are not required for Vanderzee’s performance.

The main events of homecoming take place on Saturday, including alumni breakfasts with the various clubs, the parade at 11:15 a.m. with a complimentary picnic lunch following – located in the Gaylord University Center.

The traditional homecoming basketball games will take place on Saturday. The Lady Eagles will play against York University at 1 p.m. and the men’s team will play against Central Christian following the women’s game at 3 p.m.

In between the two games, the coronation for the homecoming king and queen will take place. This year, nominees for queen are Michaela Lawson, Jessica Thompson and Hannah McKenzie. King nominees are Bradley Cowdrey, Jake Whiteley and Hunter Culpepper.

For a list of alumni events and reunions, visit here. To sign up for a team for Trivia night, email jonathan.johnson@eagles.oc.edu.