Every year, as the autumn leaves begin to fall, UCA transforms into a vibrant sea of purple and gray, bringing together students, faculty and alumni in a celebration of school spirit and camaraderie.

The history of UCA’s homecoming can be traced back to its early years when it was known as Arkansas State Normal School.

According to UCA archived document XXXIII, the first homecoming event was held in 1927. It featured a football game, a parade and a banquet. 

Today, UCA’s homecoming week consists of more events, but the central idea remains the same as it did in 1916, a celebration of school spirit shared between the Bear community.

A highlight of the UCA homecoming festivities is the moment when the homecoming king and queen are crowned during halftime of the football game.

Taryn Chambers Givan was only a sophomore when she was crowned the 1998 UCA homecoming queen. 

“I was nominated through the Students for the Propagation of Black Culture, but homecoming queen wasn’t really anything I was looking for. I remember thinking just being on the court is good enough for me. I called my mom and my grandmother to tell them. Then I end up getting crowned queen,” Chambers Givan said.

As she reflected on her time as a student at UCA, she recalled fond memories of UCA’s homecoming traditions, mentioning she was involved in the annual UCA Homecoming Greek Step Show.

After Chambers Givan graduated from UCA and obtained her master’s and doctorate degrees, she still makes time to attend UCA homecoming festivities. 

“I’m always going to make sure that I take off for homecoming. It’s understood, even my family knows I am going to UCA homecoming,” she said. 

“As an alumna, the biggest things I always look forward to are going to the Greek step show, tailgating, walking up and down Bruce Street and meeting and networking with everyone,” Chambers Givan said. 

Kylie Garrity, a senior public relations major, was selected to represent the student body on this year’s homecoming court. Garrity spoke about how she prepared for her role as a homecoming court member.

“Honestly, nervousness was an emotion I had leading up to homecoming court but being a senior I have embraced the concept of taking everything in,” Garrity said. “This mindset taught me to enjoy every part of this process and take the time to slow down and cherish the little things.”

Garrity is navigating through her final year of undergrad at UCA, and much like Chambers Givan, she has grown fond of certain homecoming traditions.

Garrity said, “My favorite homecoming tradition is the annual Greek step show. It is a favorite of mine because it is so awesome to see all the hard work of the students come together. The atmosphere is great and students get in for free this year.”

Alumni are also an integral part of homecoming. They return to campus, reconnect with old friends and reminisce about their time at UCA. The Alumni Association organizes special gatherings and events to facilitate these connections.

Chambers Givan said, “There are plenty of phone calls being made and emails going out from the Alumni Association approaching homecoming week. But even for people who don’t take advantage of those opportunities, when they just come back to campus and take part in the Buffalo Hall alumni brunch or even just go to tailgates, I think that’s an opportunity to reconnect with staff and faculty, or even other alums who you haven’t seen in a long time.”

Chambers Givan also offered advice to UCA students who wish to make the most of their homecoming experience and stay connected to their alma mater after graduation.

“Just like students have to commit to wake up and go to class and handle their responsibilities, embrace homecoming in that manner. Embrace the totality of your college experience. I have never come back to a UCA homecoming event and felt like I didn’t belong,” she said.