When I think of homecoming, I picture former and current students gathering at one place they all can call home. Homecoming is like those short but sweet fall and spring breaks. We wait all year for it to roll around and try to pack as much fun as we can in a week.
During homecoming, I get a sense that every Ram’s heart is in harmony. We have all traveled from near and far to enter the gates of Bowman Gray, and the doors of K.R. Williams and C.E. Gaines just to get that feeling of security, you get when you know you have arrived home.
At Winston-Salem State, our motto is “Enter to Learn, Depart to Serve.” This is evident during the week of homecoming. Alumni reach out to current students offering advice on how to have a successful career. I appreciate this particular aspect of homecoming because it gives me a chance to see the positive and successful people that have graduated from WSSU.
It gives me a feeling of pride to know that one day I will be able to encourage young Rams and tell them they can do whatever they want with the degree they earn from WSSU.
Homecoming gives us all a chance to look back and be thankful for the growth at WSSU. Even in my senior year, I can say there are some people, buildings, clubs, and activities that were not at WSSU when I experienced my first homecoming.
As students, we should use this time to thank the alumni for their contributions in helping our WSSU experience be a little bit sweeter. We need to reflect on the things we want to see at WSSU, gather with alumni, and discuss how we can implement new ideas that will continue to make future students want to call WSSU home.
Once we have taken care of the important business of homecoming it is time to party and celebrate. Our school may not bring in the biggest artists, or host our events at an expensive venue, but we still have a great time.
I appreciate us not having many outsiders wanting to attend some of our events. It is okay to spend time with our Ram family. We need to appreciate each other and get to know everyone better, for in the end we will be the ones helping each other.
I am truly proud to be a Ram, and I hope the rich tradition started by the Rams who paved the way for me will continue.
We may not be a perfect family, but who is?
To the freshman I challenge you to make your first homecoming the best and continue to build upon it each year. My advice to the graduating seniors is to enjoy this year, for this is your last opportunity to experience homecoming as an undergraduate. Even when you are no longer a student, you will always be a Ram!