Medieval Homecoming theme inspires events

Homecoming week has arrived, filled with festivities for the UNM community.

The celebration will kick off Tuesday with a department-decorating contest. In accord with this year’s Homecoming theme, “Lobo Knights,” UNM’s various departments will include coats of arms in the decorations.

The Medieval Studies Student Association will show two films during Homecoming week, “Kingdom of Heaven” and “Beowulf: Prince of the Geats,” said Marisa Sikes, MSSA president.

Although the theme for this year’s Homecoming is medieval, people are generally misinformed about true medieval culture, Sikes said, and both of the movies will provide a good opportunity to change that.

“We are going to discuss the medieval culture after Beowulf — how the film does and doesn’t reflect the true culture of Anglo-Saxon England,” she said.

The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology’s Archaeology Curator David Phillips and Ethnology Curator Kathryn Klein are hosting a tour of collections pertinent to medieval history.

Sikes said it’s good for the University to incorporate educational activities into Homecoming week.

“It ties in with the larger goals of the University to be a place of higher education,” she said. “While you might think of Homecoming as being more associated with football or celebration, it doesn’t hurt to include something more educational.”
The UNM Alumni Association will return for various events throughout the week as well, said Susan MacEachen, Alumni Association senior alumni relations officer.

“We provide a great connection for our former students to return to their University and for students to meet alumni at the various events,” she said. “It’s a great opportunity for the alumni to show their support and their loyalty to the University.”
The Alumni Association is one of the largest public benefactors of Homecoming week, MacEachen said. The group starts planning in April.

“Homecoming is one of our largest alumni events all year. The whole staff puts a lot of effort into it,” she said. “We try to bring everybody back and celebrate UNM, their appreciation for their education and participation for students.”

Whether you are a current student or a returning one, this Homecoming week will be filled with interesting activities to engage the campus and embrace school spirit, MacEachen said.
“People just like Homecoming. They like the fall weather and the atmosphere,” she said. “It’s a sense of pride and an opportunity for them to show it, so it’s just a great celebration.”

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For a full list of Homecoming events, visit:
www.unmalumni.com/homecoming