The week of Homecoming is bursting with events and activities catered to students, faculty, alumni and family. Internal Alumni Director Lauren Land provides a preview of the much-anticipated OcTiger Fest.
“Now in its second year, OcTiger Fest is an all-campus event that gives alumni, parents and friends a snapshot of life at Ouachita today,” she said.
Dr. Wesley Kluck considers the event a constructive addition to the Homecoming schedule.
“Last year’s new concept of an outdoor plaza gathering of all the Ouachita family’s clubs, organizations, teams and others proved to be a great success and will be continued this year,” he said.
Scheduled for this Saturday, OcTiger Fest starts at 10 a.m. and ends by 1 p.m., in time for guests to make their way to the football stadium for the pre-game festivities.Land gives an overview of the day’s itinerary.
“A CubZone with inflatables will be available for kids from 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.,” she said, “A Texas BBQ lunch will be served on campus from 11 a.m. until 12:45 p.m.”
Students play a major role in welcoming the visiting alumni on campus.
“I have a Homecoming Steering Committee that has helped plan this event,” Land said. “The students on the committee are Andrew Ford, Laura Grace Kirby, Bethany Whitfield, Eric Varner, Adam Wheat and Sarah Johnson.
Social clubs help out by hosting drop-in events for their alumni.
“Student organizations, academic departments and sports teams are also setting up tables for alumni and friends to visit,” Land said, “The marching band and cheerleaders will lead a special pep rally.”
Ouachita welcomes back several groups of returning students and their families.
“Four classes will gather for reunion lunches on the Cone-Bottoms lawn: 1999, ‘89, ‘79 and ‘69,” Land said.
Kluck views OcTiger Fest as an efficient method of keeping the alumni involved.
“Alumni visiting campus can visit all of the groups they are associated with in just one concentrated area on campus,” he said.
Additions have been made to this year’s OcTiger Fest schedule, including a few surprises.
“A live tiger will be on campus to help greet guests,” Land said. “Student Senate is co-sponsoring the tiger along with Ouachita Alumni. This year, we combined the tailgate with OcTiger Fest and expanded the time. We also added the live tiger and inflatables for the kids.”
he overall positive response to OcTiger Fest indicates a possible tradition for generations to come.
“The feedback we received from alumni last year was overwhelmingly supportive,” Kluck said.
and agrees with the positive feedback.
“We introduced this event last year and had amazing participation from nearly every student organization and academic department on campus,” Land said. “It was great, and the alumni and their families absolutely loved it.” n
