Memphis residents will be able to celebrate homecoming with three of the city’s collegiate institutions in one week through a unified celebration.
The University of Memphis, LeMoyne-Owen College, and Rhodes College have come together for the city’s first Homecoming Week celebration.
The weeklong event will be held from October 18-26 with events all across the city. A party at Handy Park on Beale Street will kick off the celebration, presented by First Horizon Bank.
“This collaboration is about more than just fun,” the schools said in a joint statement. “It’s about pride, local business, and showing how Memphis comes together when it matters most.”
According to David French, president and chief marketing officer of Memphis Brand, the event is the result of a “shared vision” to celebrate Memphis and unite members of the community. French said by bringing the three schools together, they are able to highlight the city’s uniqueness and academic talent.
Homecoming Week is also an opportunity for the colleges to encourage the city to come together to learn about the different institutions and uplift students.
“We are delighted to collaborate with the other colleges on a city-wide homecoming program,” Jennifer Collins, president of Rhodes College said. “ We are honored to be part of such an exciting educational ecosystem, with wonderful colleges and universities across the city working to bring outstanding talent and innovative ideas to Memphis.”
Michele Ehrhart, chief marketing and communications officer at U of M, said the city’s culture is an important part of campus identity. Erhart said that the school is of the city, and feeds off of the vibrancy of community engagement.
“The soul and heart of Memphis are reflected in our traditions, and you can feel it in the way our students rally around each other and in the way our campus and city come together to celebrate,” Ehrhart said. “Being in Memphis means we don’t just have a university in a city, we have a university of the city.”
The joint celebration also gives each college to showcase different traditions and alumni pride on a larger scale. Tara Dunn Ross, chief operating officer at LeMoyne-Owen College, said homecoming not only marks a reunion for current and past Magicians, but a chance to remind the city of its contributions.
“President {Christopher} Davis often reminds us that the vibrancy of Memphis is rooted in the talent and achievements of LeMoyne-Owen College and its alumni,” Ross said. “From entrepreneurs and educational leaders to city officials and cultural curators, the spirit behind some of Memphis’ greatest leaders was nurtured right here at 807 Walker Avenue.”
Ross added that the collegiate experience is important to Memphis – “both educationally and culturally.” Ehrhart emphasized these sentiments, stressing the importance of student contributions.
“Our universities fuel the city’s talent, innovation and economic growth, and they also help define its identity,” Ehrhart said. “Students bring new ideas and creativity that ripple far beyond the boundaries of their campus.”
Organizers hope that the community learns about their different initiatives and programs while amplifying the city’s character.