Southwestern Magazine | Spring 2020

The first homecoming Colleges across the nation celebrate homecoming each fall to welcome alumni back to campus, strengthen the university community, and recognize recent achievements. Whether these schools are cheering on their football team or hosting elaborate parades, they all can thank Southwestern for starting this tradition on April 21, 1909. The brainchild of Southwestern employee Allen K. Ragsdale, the first celebration brought together former students and Georgetown residents for a day of special events, including a barbecue picnic, a mock debate, an orchestra concert, and a baseball game between the current Southwestern team and alumni. Artesian Manufacturing and Bottling Company in Waco donated 1,200 bottles of Dr Pepper for the occasion. The celebration—which was originally spelled as two words, home coming , to emphasize the fact that alumni were returning home— was a resounding success. “It was beyond any doubt the greatest day known in the history of any educational institution in the state,” proclaimed the Megaphone , the newspaper published by the Students’ Association of Southwestern University. “It grew out of the love borne for it by students of the last 35 years who wished once more to visit their alma mater and grasp the hands of those beloved professors who labored for their interests and to greet other students, roommates, classmates, and chums of the bygone days of youth.” Like most homecomings, the day featured an opportunity to cheer for the home team—in this case, the Southwestern track and field team. “We competed against Baylor University,” says Associate Vice President for Alumni and Parent Relations Megan Frisque, who serves as the campus lead for homecoming. “The next November, Baylor held its first homecoming.” First homecoming picnic, 1909. Original located in Southwestern University Special Collections & Archives. 16 SOUTHWESTERN