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Newsmaker: Q&A With Ben Kritz

Every other week, the Talon interviews a member of the Oklahoma Christian Community, a Newsmaker, to answer questions about their role on campus. 

On Oct. 19th, the Talon interviewed Ben Kritz, this year’s Homecoming director, about his role in planning for homecoming. 

How did you get this role and why did you want it? 

“I saw them post about the position in the student announcements . I thought, ‘Oh, that kind of sounds interesting.’“It just kind of went from there. I thought, okay, I guess I’ll apply. So I applied and that was it.”

What about homecoming week are you most looking forward to?

“I’m really looking forward to the 48-hour build.

““The clubs will have 48 hours to build everything in their designated location. That’s actually next Friday, until Sunday [Oct. 28-30] and I think it’s gonna be a lot of fun.”

What role did you play in the changes made to this year’s homecoming?

“I ran for the position on the basis of changing what we can to make homecoming more relevant to students today .With COVID being at an end, we can kind of go back to normal. Let’s create a new normal.’”

Outside of changes, are there any new events you are introducing?

“The 48-hour build is the big thing that is completely new.

“And then Trick-the-rail, that’s Monday night. It’s a trick-or-treat around the soccer field trail, which has never been done before.” 

How are you going to implement alumni into events, especially with the changes?

“Saturday is the big alumni day. It will start with an alumni breakfast for clubs, which was optional this year, but I think everybody chose to do one. After that, there will be an alumni chapel.”

What is the most challenging part of your job?

I think the challenge has just been communicating all these changes. It has been really difficult to do, no one knows what to expect.

“It’s not easy to get events approved, but we have had a lot of new ones approved. Clubs have not been able to plan as well though, just because everything is taking longer to get approved and finalized by the administration.”

What has been the most impactful aspect of homecoming to you?

“ So, the theme is legacy. I’ve thought a lot about like, ‘Maybe some of these changes could be leaving a legacy.’ 

But the beneficiary for the philanthropy project is the Counseling Center, and we have raised over $12,000 for them so far, which is crazy.”

Can you give a rundown of what to expect from homecoming? 

“This Friday, October 28 is when the 48-hour build starts. [Clubs]  will go to their location and have until Sunday at 11:59 p.m. to do everything  for their location. Monday is Trick-the-Trail, which is the trunk-or-treat that is open to everyone, students and community. That will be a fun night. Tuesday is the Lighting of the Commons. Wednesday is the all-campus Devo, and Thursday is the homecoming musical. Friday is the pep rally. 

Saturday is the big day, Nov. 5. It starts with the alumni breakfast, which is from 8 to 10 a.m., and then we have  an hour-long chapel in the auditorium. After that is the parade, and right after that is the tailgate. This is when the alumni will go to the Branch and get their food. Then, they will walk around and look at all the improvements made to campus and play carnival games. That will be half an hour. One o’clock I think, is the first game, the women’s game. In between, we have homecoming court and the announcement of the winning club. Then it’s the men’s game and that’s it.”

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