91ֿ

Alumni Life

Homecoming Weekend 2022

This year’s homecoming theme was “Milestones and Memories.” Milestones included 25 years of women’s golf and women’s soccer, 50 years of Title IX in the United States, 50 years of the Kent Student Center, and 100 years of Greek life and football. 

From Friday, Sept. 30 to Sunday, Oct. 2, 91ֿ alumni, students, parents, faculty, staff and community members donned blue and gold and took part in long-standing traditions.

Here are some highlights from Homecoming Weekend 2022:


Homecoming International Celebration (Sept. 30, 5–7 p.m.)

The Homecoming International Celebration is one of two signature events the Office of International Student Affairs facilitates each year. The celebration gives international students an opportunity to showcase their home countries and their culture. Attendees visit different countries via a “passport,” taste food from around the world and watch cultural performances.

An attendee learns about Costa Rica
An attendee learns about Costa Rica during the Homecoming International Celebration on the Student Green, which extends from Risman Plaza to Summit Street.

Homecoming Kickoff and Fireworks (Sept. 30, 7:30 p.m.)

The celebration began at Hometown Bank Plaza in downtown Kent with music, food and fireworks. Attendees met the 2022 Kent Campus Homecoming Court.

Marching Golden Flashes
The Marching Golden Flashes head through downtown to begin the homecoming celebration.

Randale L. Richmond, MS ’06
Randale L. Richmond, MS ’06, director of athletics, speaks to the assembled crowd at the Homecoming Kickoff.​​​​

Attendees watch a downtown fireworks display after the kickoff.
Attendees watch a downtown fireworks display after the Homecoming Kickoff.

Bowman Cup 5K Race and 1-Mile Fun Run (Oct. 1, 8 a.m.)

The annual race began at the university’s Warren Student Recreation and Wellness Center. The race, named after former 91ֿ President George Bowman, is a chip-timed race that allows participants to enjoy the scenic route through the Kent Campus and its surrounding community.

Bowman Cup 5K Race and 1-Mile Fun Run (Oct. 1, 8 a.m.)
Racers compete in the annual Bowman Cup 5K Race and 1-Mile Fun Run during 91ֿ’s homecoming weekend.

Homecoming Parade (Oct. 1, 10:30 a.m.)

The parade began at the corner of Midway Drive and Main Street and traveled west on Main into downtown Kent. It featured floats, 91ֿ and local high school marching bands, the homecoming court, university colleges and departments, 91ֿ cheerleaders and athletes, student organizations, local officials and more. For those who couldn’t make it back to campus, a livestream of the parade was available.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Title IX in the United States, 37 former women student-athletes served as this year’s Homecoming Parade grand marshals.

banner announcing Homecoming 2022
The parade begins with a banner announcing Homecoming 2022.

homecoming float
A homecoming float carrying 91ֿ President Todd Diacon and this year’s grand marshals, former 91ֿ women student-athletes, makes its way down Main Street.

Spectators cheer as parade participants pass the bleachers.
Spectators cheer as parade participants pass the bleachers.

Members of 91ֿ’s China Friends student organization march with a paper dragon.
Members of 91ֿ’s China Friends student organization march with a paper dragon.

Kiss on the K (Oct. 1, noon–12:30 p.m.)

91ֿ couples celebrated the place that brought them together by gathering on the K at Risman Plaza (in front of the Kent Student Center) and kissing when the bell rang at 12:30 p.m.

Kiss on the K
A 91ֿ couple embrace in gold and blue during Kiss on the K.

91ֿ Senior Vice President and Provost Melody Tankersley (left) and 91ֿ President Todd Diacon (right) kiss Flash, the mascot, during Kiss on the K.
91ֿ Senior Vice President and Provost Melody Tankersley (left) and 91ֿ President Todd Diacon (right) kiss Flash, the mascot, during Kiss on the K.

Dedication of the E. Timothy Moore Student Multicultural Center (Oct. 1, 12:45 p.m.)

91ֿ dedicated the E. Timothy Moore Student Multicultural Center on the second floor of the Kent Student Center during homecoming weekend. The renaming of the center was made possible through a donation from a former student, D’Andra Mull, BA ’02, PhD, to honor the memory and legacy of , BFA ’73, MA ’77, MFA ’83.

Moore was Associate Dean Emeritus for Advising and Undergraduate Student Affairs in the College of Arts and Sciences (1998–2010) and Associate Professor Emeritus in the Department of Pan-African Studies (1974–2010). During his time at 91ֿ, Moore served as president (1971) and minister of art for Black United Students. He died Feb. 1, 2021, and 91ֿ has established a scholarship in his honor.

Timothy Moore’s family
Timothy Moore’s family stands by the sign for the newly renamed E. Timothy Moore Student Multicultural Center. Pictured left to right: wife, Debra “DeLacy” Moore; son, Elliot Moore, BBA ’04; daughter, Candace Garton-Mullen, BA ’02

Flash Nation and Alumni Chapters Tailgates (Oct. 1, 1:30 p.m.)

Before the football game, fans met in the west parking lot outside Dix Stadium for the Flash Nation and Alumni Chapters Tailgates. They enjoyed food, fun and festivities for the whole family—and the first 1,000 fans to visit received a 91ֿ stadium bag.

President Todd Diacon and Randale Richmond, MS ’06, director of athletics, visit with fans at a homecoming tailgate
President Todd Diacon and Randale Richmond, MS ’06, director of athletics, visit with fans at a homecoming tailgate hosted by the Lake County, Greater Cleveland and Stark County alumni, which included members of the Golden Flashes Club (passionate annual fund donors to 91ֿ Athletics). Pictured left to right: Glenn Peterson, BS ’84; Ryan Coy, BBA ’02; Ashley McBride, Diacon, Richmond, Jessie Ely, BA ’19 (athletics chief of staff), and Nate Condos

A Golden Flashes fan has his face painted prior to the game.
A Golden Flashes fan has his face painted prior to the game.

Homecoming Football Game (Oct. 1, 3:30 p.m.)

91ֿ Golden Flashes took on the Ohio University Bobcats for their first Mid-American Conference East Division game of the season and came out with a 31-24 victory. The Homecoming Court was recognized at the game and 91ֿ’s 2022 Homecoming Royalty was announced at halftime.

91ֿ wide receiver Devontez Walker, a sophomore from Charlotte, N.C., looks to escape the Ohio University defense.
91ֿ wide receiver Devontez Walker, a sophomore from Charlotte, N.C., looks to escape the Ohio University defense.

Homecoming Royalty
Gavin Aitken, communication and media studies major (second from left), and Quintin Cooks, communication studies major with minors in public relations and marketing (fourth from left), are announced as the 2022 Homecoming Royalty during halftime of 91ֿ’s homecoming football game at Dix Stadium. Also pictured: 2021 Homecoming Royalty Andrew Pitko, BS ’22 (far left), and Jatia Caples, BSE ’22 (fifth from left), with President Todd Diacon and Flash.

Golden Flashes cheer
Fans of the Golden Flashes cheer in the stands at Dix Stadium during the homecoming football game.

91ֿ football players
91ֿ football players are all smiles as they celebrate their 31-24 overtime victory against the Ohio University Bobcats during Homecoming 2022.

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POSTED: Tuesday, November 22, 2022 02:15 PM
UPDATED: Thursday, November 14, 2024 11:36 AM