Homecoming Weekend (40 page)

—T
ED
B
AKER
, T
USKEGEE
U
NIVERSITY
, C
LASS OF
1962

“When I think about my time at FAMU, I then think of how that was a period of my life that I could live over again and again. Being surrounded by like-minded people who shared my goal of achieving success and mostly looked like me . . . my HBCU experience was amazing! Going back to Homecoming allows me to put aside everything, and go back to a place where I had the best time of my life and made my forever friends!”

—V
ENUS
C
HAPMAN
, F
LORIDA
A&M U
NIVERSITY
, C
LASS OF
1994

“Attending TSU was the greatest decision I ever made. The friendships I made during those four years are still with me today. Homecoming is like walking on hallowed ground. With 2012 as TSU's 100th anniversary, we know it's going to be even more special than ever, and ‘off the chain' experience
. . .
TIGER4LIFE!!!”

—J
EWELL
R
OLLEN
, T
ENNESSEE
S
TATE
U
NIVERSITY
, C
LASS OF
1972

“When I graduated from Bethune Cookman, I felt good about myself and the education I gained, but I also felt a strange sense of sadness. Part of me was ready to go; another part of me felt a pull to stay. Then, it dawned on me: I had grown accustomed to this place. In essence, I was leaving my home.”

—J
ANELLE
T
HOMAS
, B
ETHUNE
C
OOKMAN
C
OLLEGE
, C
LASS OF
2005

“My Spelman experience has given me the strength and tools I need, as a woman of color, to exist in a world that is not designed for me. Having lived abroad for over eight years, I find I value my HBCU experience even more! How I have missed attending homecoming and reunion celebration that provided me with a sense of belonging and connectedness that I haven't found any other place. Though now I can only be a part of this event through social media, it continues to empower me to keep on keeping on.”

—J
ERI
B
YROM
, S
PELMAN
C
OLLEGE
, C
LASS OF
1987

“Going to Clark Atlanta University or, as I know and love ‘the school on the hill,' basically raised me. The nurturing of the professors and the camaraderie of my classmates reside in me to this day. As for Homecoming, the fun usually begins Thursday evening (if you're lucky) and doesn't end until Sunday afternoon on your way to the airport. It will take a day or two to recover, depending on how hard you roll.”

—D
ARRYL
(DJ) J
OHNSON
, C
LARK
A
TLANTA
U
NIVERSITY
, C
LASS OF
1983

“Attending North Carolina Central was truly one of the best decisions I made as a young adult. I cherish the friendships that I developed there and they will last a lifetime. Homecoming at an HBCU, specifically
NCCU, is a great experience that is hard to put into words. You reminisce about your college experience, tell ‘tall tales' and school some of the young students that are still wet behind the ears. The camaraderie is indescribable. However if you ever walked on our yard during homecoming, you would feel the love, joy, excitement and the common bond that is shared among ALL EAGLES!!!! We soar very high. EAGLE PRIDE!!”

—D
EBORAH
M
CCLOUD
, N
ORTH
C
AROLINA
C
ENTRAL
U
NIVERSITY
, C
LASS OF
1997

“Graduating from North Carolina A&T was a major milestone. It meant a lot to me to study in Martina and Gibb Halls, same as A&T alums, the late NASA astronaut Dr. Ronald McNair, The Greensboro Four and Jesse Jackson, among others. Our homecoming is not called the best in the world for nothing. I get to be a teenager all over again and reminisce while sitting on the steps of Holland Hall with my dorm mates from fall 1986. It's the best time!”

—M
ICHELLE
L
EMON
, N
ORTH
C
AROLINA
A&T S
TATE
U
NIVERSITY
, C
LASS OF
1991

“The first day on campus at Virginia State felt like the beginning of a four-year vacation. It was the only time my wonderful parents invested thousands of dollars on me to go on a vacation. It was challenging academically, but I mostly recall how much fun I had. After years of growth, returning for homecoming means more than crowning a king and queen, attending a parade, football game or homecoming dance. Above all it's a cherished time for uniting the past and present.”

—D
EBORAH
R. J
OHNSON
, V
IRGINIA
S
TATE
U
NIVERSITY
, C
LASS OF
1984

“We were fortunate to grow up with exposure to HBCUs so the biggest decision I had to make was choosing one. Shaw University not only provided an excellent education but the nurturing that we needed. The faculty and staff were surrogate parents and many of my school-mates were like siblings and we still maintain those relationships over 30 years later. No matter where you came from or needed it or not, you were taught how to walk among Presidents, Queens. Homecomings are just that—coming home to the place where you did so many firsts or met people who will remain in your life forever. The stories get a little fuzzy and sometime more colorful but that's what makes Homecoming so cool!

—E
LEANOR AND
D
AVID
L
INTON
, S
HAW
U
NIVERSITY
, C
LASS OF
1980

“I visited tons of colleges as a high-school senior, but no place stood out like ‘THE HILL!' The difference in environment and student atmosphere was astounding. It was like a home away from home, but with an edge. It wasn't just the hype of homecoming, but every single function was one you never wanted to miss. The fashion, the Greeks, the band and the many festivities were all just another representation of our African heritage. No matter what side of THE HILL you lived on, everyone came together as one during almighty homecoming. And no matter how many years have passed, it's every HBCU's family reunion. It's like seeing your long-lost cousins and being introduced to the new additions to the family. 'A-M, A-M, A-M, A-M-U, whooooo ah booty bootaayyyy!!!!'”

—E
RIN
S
HERROD
, A
LABAMA
A&M, C
LASS OF
2001

“Homecoming, freshman year (1972) was like going to the best party ever and having Earth, Wind and Fire on campus and this young group called The Commodores throw down off campus. There was a comfort
level attending HI (now HU) that made the maturation transformation from high school to college seamless. And accompanying this growth was the country's finest collection of intelligent sisters. It ain't braggin' if it's true.”

—M
ARTIN
M
CNEAL
, H
AMPTON
(I
NSTITUTE
) U
NIVERSITY
, C
LASS OF
1977

“My HBCU experience was great! I actually turned my life over to Christ during college. The love & friendship through Campus Ministry was the best thing ever which really helped me through. Every HBCU needs a real Down-to-Earth Christ Rocking Ministry!”

—A
RTICULITE
P
OETRY
, M
ISSISSIPPI
V
ALLEY
S
TATE

“Other than the birth of my children and my wedding day, Morehouse College has been the best thing that ever happened in my life! Morehouse took a scared and naïve boy from Buffalo, New York and shaped and motivated him into a man. Relationships that I've developed during my college years are still my closest friends today. They were my groomsmen, godfathers to my children, business consultants and confidants. Seven years ago I started to rent executive coach buses for homecoming for a few reasons. First, it was an opportunity for us to fellowship and laugh at the hair we were losing and the weight we were gaining. Secondly, this was a way for us to have our children meet and get to know each other in a wonderful environment. Finally, it was the best tailgate party in the history of football! One of the best days I had last year was when I hosted a lunch with 10 Spelman and Morehouse freshmen and sophomores. They were all sons and daughters of friends that I attended college with. It was great to see our sons and daughters becoming successful men and women. This is just another blessing from Morehouse College.”

—W
ILLIAM
M
ITCHELL
, M
OREHOUSE
C
OLLEGE
, C
LASS OF
1984

“They say college is when you're supposed to ‘find yourself' so I chose an HBCU to make sure I would find myself among my people. And I instantly felt at home. All of my wildest, funniest, craziest and all-around greatest memories of college are from homecoming. There's nothing like a Howard homecoming. It's something every young person should experience at least once
. . .
or more than once if you can handle it.”

—N
AEESA
A
ZIZ
, H
OWARD
U
NIVERSITY
, C
LASS OF
2006

“I will never forget my first homecoming experience and the genuine love and happiness amongst the CSU family. The atmosphere of the whole day was one that had me in a trance and there was no question that CSU was the place for me. Each day on campus was a learning experience and when you're obtaining knowledge and culture in an educational environment, it's always a step in the right direction.”

—F
RANKLIN
W
HITE
, C
ENTRAL
S
TATE
U
NIVERSITY

“Every fall I look forward to the Virginia Union homecoming celebration. I enjoy going to the ‘hole,' which is the Kappa frat room on campus in the basement of Storer Hall. Gathering with the brothers from Alpha Gamma, reminiscing on the days gone, reminds me of the things I wouldn't want my son to do, but I sure had fun doing them. Homecoming weekend at VUU gives me the opportunity to reconnect with my extended family and rejoice in the lifelong education I received in the classroom and hanging on the ‘yard.'”

—J.B. H
ILL
, V
IRGINIA
U
NION
U
NIVERSITY
, C
LASS OF
1990

“As a native of Detroit, MI., I didn't know what to expect as I passed through red clay roads encompassed with livestock, blue jays and red robins en route to my freshman year at Alabama State University.
Turned out, a ‘newbie' like me could not have asked for a more rich in culture steeped Hornet pride with the most passionate educators and administrators. My HBCU experience enriched my life tremendously through education and by instilling African-American pride and reminding me of the struggles of others before me. Our homecoming, The Turkey Day Classic, fills your heart with pride and joy, as alumni return from all ages and walks of life. And those Mighty Marching Hornets
. . .
lifetime impressions. A. S. A. S. A. S. A.S.
 . . .
U!! Clap clap clap, clap clap clap!”

—T
AMELA
A
LLEN
J
ONES
, A
LABAMA
S
TATE
U
NIVERSITY
, C
LASS OF
1997

“I am proud that I went to an HBCU. I always knew that I would attend Morgan State University because of the way it gave back to my community. Morgan State made me feel like extended family. The school laid the foundation for me for the importance of community service. Homecoming is a chance to catch up with old friends and to celebrate the success of their lives because of this great institution.”

—A
NGELA
B
ELTON
, M
ORGAN
S
TATE
U
NIVERSITY
, C
LASS OF
2006

“When I think of our homecoming at Morris Brown, I hear the drumline and see the drum majors high-stepping onto the yard ahead of Bubbling Brown Sugar, the dance team. This scenario always stirs up nostalgia: hanging on the yard between classes; chilling in the dorm social areas for hours; talking trash over Spades; Greeks stepping; going to football games. It's a special time of reminiscing and catching up. Although Morris Brown has had its financial and accreditation issues, the spirit of the Brownite Alumni remains strong. The large number of graduates converging on the yard from all over the country showed
that at homecoming. We continue to have pride in the purple and black of dear 'ole Morris Brown. I would never trade my experience of going to Morris Brown for anything. Go Wolverines!!”

—S
HERLINE
T
AVERNIER
, M
ORRIS
B
ROWN
C
OLLEGE
, C
LASS OF
1994

“I'll never forget the feeling of love, support, and pride I experienced when I entered Winston-Salem State University (WSSU Mighty Rams!) as a freshman. The valuable life-lessons I received from caring faculty, staff and my fellow students impacted me in a powerful way, providing a nurturing environment that allowed me to grow into adulthood with a greater sense of purpose. Ask anyone who has attended an HBCU and they will tell you that it is an experience like no other—and in particular, homecoming! Every year I look forward to this special and time-honored tradition at my school. What's homecoming like at an HBCU? Imagine a joyful family reunion held during Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, and the Fourth of July wrapped into one! Beautiful black people coming together in this spirit of love and fellowship to reminisce, support, celebrate, and give back to the community while supporting our treasured academic institutions. I will forever be grateful to WSSU and all our sister HBCUs!”