The University of Louisiana at Lafayette will have its Homecoming week beginning Sunday, Nov. 3 to Monday, Nov. 11. The university, in conjunction with the University Program Center and the UL Lafayette Alumni Association, will host events all week.
On Nov. 3, student organizations will paint Student Union windows in preparation for homecoming week during the Paint Your Pride Window Painting event.
On Nov. 4, the events include day one of the Juried Alumni Art Exhibition, which will continue until Nov. 8. It also includes the First 2 Geaux: Lanyard Giveaway, the Homecoming Community Engagement Fair, the Food Truck Roundup, the Sigma Nu Alumni Chapter Homecoming Social and the La Fleur Couture Fashion Show.
On Nov. 5, schools of the Lafayette community are invited to decorate their school or classroom with red, white and UL Lafayette themed decorations for the Paint the Town Red competition. On Nov. 6 Cajuns Got Talent, the annual homecoming talent show, will take place.
On Nov. 7, businesses of the Lafayette community are invited to decorate their business with red, white and UL Lafayette themed decorations for the Paint the Town Red competition. Other events include the College of Liberal Arts Homecoming Reception and the College of the Arts 30th anniversary celebration. To conclude the day students can show their spirit at the Yell Like Hell pep rally.
Friday, Nov. 8, events include the First 2 Geaux: Tailgate, Ragin’ Cajun Clubs Homecoming Hangout and the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) Homecoming Step Show. Saturday, Nov. 9, starting the day will be the homecoming parade and ending it will be the homecoming football game. The football team will be playing against Arkansas State University and the presentation of the homecoming court during half-time.
The 2024 homecoming king, Syed Jasim Reza Ali, is the son of the 2023 homecoming queen Faryal Atif. This is the first time a mother and son have won homecoming queen and king in consecutive years. When asked how she felt about her son’s win, Atif said it was a mix of emotions, ranging from excited to overwhelmed. “I just feel like it’s crazy. Surprised, excited, very overwhelming. How many times does this happen?[…] When they announced that he was on the court, I thought it was really exciting, but then when they announced that he was the king it was like what!”
Atif attributed her son’s success to his involvement on campus. “His real involvement started at UL. I think the university is just so amazing. We have so many opportunities for students and if you take advantage of that you can do so much,” Atif said
Ali, a senior majoring in mechanical engineering, is a part of several university organizations. He is serving as the vice president of the Student Government Association, he represented the College of Engineering as president and senator and served as his freshman class president. Ali is the president of Sigma Chi fraternity and he served as an orientation leader for SOUL Camp. He also was a research apprentice for the College of Engineering.
Though Atif disagreed when asked if her son got his need for involvement from her, excellence seems to run in the family. She got her undergraduate and graduate degree in English from UL Lafayette and is currently in the doctorate program. She works as a learning specialist at The Quad Louisiana and is the coordinator of student organizations in the Office of Student Engagement.
To her son and the whole homecoming court, Atif recommended they enjoy their time during homecoming week. “I just say enjoy and have fun. This week is so exciting. Make sure all your assignments are done and you submit everything […] All the students are so deserving. They have done so much and it is good to see them recognized in this way, so just have fun because it will be over before they know it,” Atif said.
On Nov. 10, the university will conclude its homecoming event with the Homecoming “To the Stars” Concert, by the University Wind Ensemble. Finally on Nov. 11, the university will have the Krewe De Coulee event to clean up after homecoming.
All events listed above are open to the public, and the university invites all of Lafayette and south Louisiana to enjoy homecoming. For more information about all university homecoming events go to calender.louisiana.edu