2018 Homecoming and Family Weekend: In Review
From the annual golf cart parade and Parks College Fly-in Breakfast to selfies with the Billiken, the 2018 Saint Louis University Homecoming and Family Weekend incorporated many favorite traditions and a few surprises.
In celebration of SLU’s bicentennial, this year’s festivities — attended by nearly 4,000 people — included a few new twists, some landmark moments and a lot of fun. Here are just a
few things that happened:
1) Grand Boulevard Shut Down for a Street Party
For the first time ever, Homecoming and Family Weekend took to the street on Saturday, with the newly redesigned Grand Boulevard closing to vehicle traffic from Forest Park Parkway to Lindell Boulevard to accommodate the celebration. Festivities included food trucks, street performers, live entertainment and a firework finale.
2)Participants Completed a Two-Story Mural on McGannon Hall
SLU community members participated in the largest public art project in SLU history on Saturday, painting numbered sections of a mural that covers nearly 3,000 square feet. Designed by renowned muralist Grace McCammond, along with student contributors, the painting features the clock tower and other iconography reflecting the SLU experience.
3) SLU Honored the Class of 1968
SLU’s bicentennial class of Golden Billikens (those who graduated from the University 50 or more years ago) came out in force to celebrate with an exclusive Saturday dinner and Sunday brunch.
The University also held undergraduate reunion parties for the classes of 1993, 1988, 2003, 2008 and 2013.
4) The SLU School of Nursing Took Over Busch Stadium
The Saint Louis University School of Nursing held a gala on the field of Busch Stadium on Friday night, celebrating its 90-year-anniversary (read about how the school has changed) while SLU Law marked 175 years (also known as a dodransbicentennial) with a reception at Scott Hall.
5) People Went Mad for Billiken Basketball
Saint Louis University’s men’s and women’s basketball teams hosted Billiken Madness on Friday at Chaifetz Arena. The free event was open to Homecoming and Family Weekend attendees, as well as the general public. Both teams participated in shooting and skills contests, a dunk contest in front of celebrity judges and a live scrimmage.
6) SLU Celebrated 50 Years of the Black Student Alliance
The Black Student Alliance, founded in March of 1968, celebrated 50 years with a celebration Friday at the Center for Global Citizenship.
Also celebrating landmark anniversaries were Alpha Delta Pi, celebrating 30 years at SLU, and the Honors Program, which was founded 80 years ago.
7) Attendees Strolled the SLU Fleur de Lis Floral Art Walk
Local artists designed 11 fresh floral arrangements as botanical interpretations of artwork that were open to the public during Homecoming and Family Weekend.
In addition to on-campus displays at the Saint Louis University Museum of Art, Samuel Cupples House, the Museum of Contemporary Religious Art and Pius XII Memorial Library, participants included the Contemporary Art Museum, the Pulitzer Arts Foundation, the Sheldon Art Galleries, and others.
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