coordinator of student activities at the Nebraskan Student Union, 308.865.8523
When “Lopers Go Hollywood” this week a few students will assume the role of agents, because they will have made it all happen.
Homecoming Week at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, themed “Lopers Go Hollywood,” features activities ranging from a spirit competition to a trike race, and all these events are sponsored by the Loper Programming and Activities Council (LPAC), a student organization.
A select number of LPAC members head committees that handle the various homecoming activities.
“Our general homecoming chairs and parade chairs are selected in the spring and voted on by qualified LPAC voting members,” said Jami Schaffnitt, coordinator of UNK Student Activities. “The daily event chairs (i.e. limbo, spirit competition, etc.) are selected based on students who are interested in assisting with the event.”
Schaffnitt said committee members are responsible for the planning, setting up and tearing down their specific events. She also said the general homecoming chairs select judges for the events, and plan the handbook, trophies and t-shirts.
In addition to providing students with fun events during Homecoming Week, Schaffnitt said committee chairs are able to take away leadership qualities from their experiences.
“They learn how to plan an event and make it run efficiently,” she said. “They learn time management in meeting certain deadlines, public relations in dealing with our judges, community personnel and teams involved in the event,” Schaffnitt said.
“The homecoming committee is so important in making homecoming a success,” Schaffnitt said. “I always tell them ‘This is your homecoming. I’m just here to assist you in making it great.’”
Schaffnitt encourages those who didn’t join a homecoming committee to do so next year.
“This is an opportunity for students to assist in the production of homecoming by submitting their ideas and using their creativity to make it a great homecoming, she said. “They get to see what goes on behind the scenes and feel proud of the successful outcome of such a great university event.”
This year, the homecoming committees were headed by 13 student leaders. Schaffnitt said she is impressed with the committee chairs this year, especially their energy and creativity.
Chair of the various homecoming committees are listed below, alphabetically by hometown:
Auburn – Luke Saulsberry, lawn display chair
Battle Creek – Stacey Bonner, limbo chair; Stephanie Bonner, limbo chair
Cozad – Matt Allbright, homecoming parade chair and lawn display chair
Gothenburg – Jael Johnson, homecoming chair and lip sync chair
Grand Island – Kellie Prather, royalty chair
Kimball – Lisa Childs, spirit competition chair
McCook – Megan Province, spirit competition chair
Ravenna – Andy Schlund, homecoming parade chair and trike race chair
Wallace – Heather Sullivan, trike race chair
Weeping Water – Melanie Spilinek, royalty chair
Wynot – Michelle Thoene, homecoming chair and lip sync chair
KANSAS
Topeka – Stacey Jegel, LPAC president
