The Grand Valley State University community has been invited to the conversation as to what the 2012 Homecoming Theme will be through GVSU’s very first Homecoming theme competition. This is not merely a decision made from a group of people with power, but rather a competition that allows everyone a chance to contribute their ideas.

“Homecoming serves two purposes,” said Tom Coy, assistant director of Student Life. “One is to bring alumni back to the university. The second is to provide students a memorable positive experience. It only makes sense to put the opportunity to determine the theme back in the hands of students. We also thought it could be a cool experience for students to be able to say they named the Homecoming
theme.”

The Homecoming Theme Competition at GVSU will allow individuals to submit their entries until Jan. 23. Following submissions, an Alumni Relations and Student Life team will narrow the list to the top five competitors; students will be able to vote from Jan. 30 to Feb. 5.

“We are a creative community of Lakers and I anticipate we’ll receive some unique submissions,” said Mindy Kalinowski Earley, assistant director of Alumni Relations and a judge for the competition.

Previously, the university decided themes. Although many schools plan Homecoming differently, most tend to have the Alumni Relations Office set the theme.

Past tag lines and themes included “You Put A Spell on Me,” a Halloween/Harry Potter theme; “Golden Anniversary,”a Willy Wonka theme and “Laker Round Up”, a western theme; among others. Judges said they will be looking to a broad theme, similar to the aforementioned themes.

“I’ll look for something that will be attractive to both the student body and our alumni base of 80,000-plus Lakers,” Earley said. “The theme should be something everyone can relate to, and that ties back to GV experiences,
memories, values, traditions, etc. Ultimately, the theme will set the tone for the Homecoming websites,
mail pieces, competitions, Lip Sync dances and events held throughout the week. It impacts everything,
so the theme should be broad, yet easy to work with to create an overall attractive, fun and welcoming event experience.”

In addition to the general theme ideas, entries will be judged based on creativity, originality, relevance, and emotiveness, according to the Homecoming Theme Competition rules.

Not only will the winner of the competition have their theme represented, but they will also receive premier
tickets for the game, concert tickets, concert meet and greet passes and an additional prize pack.

“(The competition) gives current students a chance to take ownership of what they would like to see from Homecoming and gives alumni across the nation an opportunity to be involved, even from afar,” Earley said. “It is a chance for students and alumni to share, through a theme, what Homecoming and GVSU mean to them, and to help guide the direction of the week and the events.”

Although the competition has just started, competitors have already gotten to work.

“We have had several really great themes submitted already and are looking forward to see what other ideas are submitted,” Coy said.

Homecoming 2012 is Oct. 14 to 20. The football team will be playing Northwood University.

For more information or to submit your entries, visit www.gvsu.edu/studentlife/homecoming.