October 2009 Marketing Highlights
Celebrate Homecoming Missouri State Style
By Sherry Cook
Although the annual Harvard-Yale game has been inviting alumni to return home for “The Game” since the 1870s, the origins of the first college homecomings remain contested. Baylor, Illinois, and Missouri are three of the frontrunners, all having planned and held their first "coming home" celebrations around 1910.
Despite the debate, these early celebrations all had similar characteristics: a football game served as a center point; the events included rallies, parades, speeches, and dances; the events attempted to unite alumni and students to create a stronger sense of school pride; and they were wildly successful. Using these early events as an example, homecoming celebrations quickly became popular on college and university campuses and by the 1920s homecoming had taken root across the U.S. as an American tradition.
Missouri State would be part of that wave. Dr. Donald Landon's centennial history of Missouri State, Daring to Excel, states the first Homecoming at Missouri State was established in 1921 and the first Homecoming queen was crowned in 1940.
We in the Marketing Department look forward to continuing homecoming traditions the “Missouri State” way, October 30-31. Our own departmental “Rockband” performs in the annual 9:00 a.m. Saturday parade. The College of Business Administration then hosts its traditional BBQ and “Great SportsBall Giveaway” during Bearfest Village festivities. Marketing students Ian Starnes and Jarrett Wright, as part of the Bears Football team, battle Illinois State during the afternoon game as senior Marketing major Mark Grogan, as part of the Homecoming Royalty Court, reigns over the festivities.
Perhaps more importantly students from all over campus will participate once again in the pre-game CanStruction contest on October 28 in conjunction with Ozark's Food Harvest. Student organizations have three hours to create a freestanding “sculpture” using only boxed and canned food items. Last year more than 6000 cans of food were donated through this activity and the MSU Student Homecoming Committee hopes to meet or exceed that goal again this year.
Make plans to join us for all the festivities. We look forward to seeing you come home to Missouri State!
Reflections
Fall! Once again the aroma of fall is in the air! Football frenzy is upon us and Missouri State is winning conference games.
We also welcome our new Dean, Danny Arnold. He has brought new ideas and energy to the College of Business Administration and we look forward to his experienced leadership. >More
Alumnus Action
It’s almost ironic that MSU Marketing/MBA alum Amy Stokes is nearly finished with her Ph.D. because at one time she didn’t even plan on finishing her senior year of high school, much less attend college. But, as fate would have it, she did, however, hang in that last year of high school, graduated valedictorian of her class, and got a scholarship offer to Missouri State. Now she's come full circle teaching Advertising and Promotion at University of Arkansas. >More
Faculty Focus
If you walk down the hall of Marketing faculty offices this semester, chances are, you’ll see some new faces. Beginning this past August, Drs. Ahren Johnston, Alex Hamwi, and Ron Clark joined the Marketing staff and are rapidly becoming enmeshed in teaching, research, and service activities. In addition, they are learning the Springfield area and beginning the process of settling into their new homes. >More
Student Spotlight
Marketing/Sales major Caroline Donegan moved to St. Louis over the summer and experienced an internship with Major Brands, a premium wine and liquor distributor. Traveling throughout the St. Louis area on sales trips and client calls was a peek into a profession that she is most familiar with as she follows the career path of her father. >More
Marketing Buzz
The Marketing Department has a brand new gig. With a Homecoming theme of “The Ultimate Adventure,” the more musically inclined Marketing Department faculty set off on a rock n’ roll "tour." Faculty members have formed a band and will play "hits" during the traditional MSU homecoming parade, October 31. >More
MSU's Ad Team continues to make state and national impact. After winning back-to-back national championships, the MSU Ad Team was asked to design a recruitment website for the FBI and Department of Homeland Security. >More