By Jessica Lewis, News Editor
With over 5,000 students, faculty, staff, family members and alumni in attendance, the non-traditional Homecoming this year proved successful through Hofstra’s 75th birthday celebrations.
Without a football team, Homecoming was bound to be different this year. “This was the first Homecoming in the post-football era,” Dean of Students Peter Libman said. “And when thinking about what to do, the previous success of Music Fest and the Jason Mraz concert that was held for Debate ‘08 led us to decide on holding a concert for the 75th… Everyone I’ve spoken to had a great time. I know I did!”
Students have been questioning what will happen for Homecoming next year, with some believing that the fanfare of this year’s celebration was due mostly to its coincidence with the 75th Anniversary. “Next year’s homecoming will be a concert again, a bigger and better concert. It’s the new tradition we are trying to start,” said Luke Miedreich, Vice President of Student Government Association.
A lot of work for homecoming this year was done over the summer between University Relations. “We [the Live at 75 Committee] would suggest artists, then it would ultimately come down to University Relations picking the act,” Miedreich said. “Hofstra Concerts was very involved in the planning and running of the ‘Live at 75′ concert,” Libman said.
‘Live at 75′, was a community effort, Libman said. “Staff from all areas of the University, students, alumni and parents were all involved in the planning and running all aspects of the weekend, and contributed to its success,” he said. “The Spirit Support Clubs were involved in both the birthday cake celebration and the opening performance of the concert, and the list goes on.”
After the concert wrapped up, about 4,000 people attended the Jimmy Fallon performance. “Ha Ha Hofstra assisted with the Fallon show, even holding a competition to find students to open for him,” Libman said.
Next year’s Homecoming is already being conceptualized. “Believe it or not, we’re already starting to plan for next year,” Libman said. “We’ve been having wrap-up meetings to evaluate how everything went, and are starting to discuss plans for next year.”
The homecoming ratings for the floats
