Homecoming: The Perfect Union of the Past and Present

Pictured (clockwise from top left): Christina Dudley, Maddy Balcer, Elizabeth Cavanagh,

Talia Koenigsberg

Homecoming is a time to embrace that crazed Badger that’s hiding within all of us - though, some of us have a harder time hiding it. You can either enjoy your time in the present as a student at UW-Madison or reminisce on the days when you were living on this campus loving nothing as much as being able to say that you go to school at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Whether you’re a baby Badger, a senior, a graduate student or a proud alumna, Homecoming is always a special time of the year. Being in Greek life makes it all the more exciting. Our very own Elisabeth Cavanagh and Maddy Balcer gave their insight into what Homecoming means to them as a Badger and as a member of Kappa Alpha Theta at UW-Madison.

Cavanagh and Balcer are currently sophomores and have both been members on the Homecoming committee for the past year. They played a crucial role in planning this year’s Homecoming celebrations. This year, Balcer is the Member Development Chair and will be planning events that allow for the committee to have team bonding in addition to educating the new members about their respective tasks within the committee. Cavanagh says, “I love being able to show my Badger pride while getting other Badgers involved and giving back.” She says that it takes the entire year prior to Homecoming week to plan. Cavanagh’s specific duty is to meet Wisconsin alumni and collaborate with local vendors to collect donations and further promote the Homecoming events.

Balcer believes that, “Homecoming is about bringing all Badgers, past and present, together to have fun and show a lot of pride. It’s about a sense of community and uniting everyone based on what we have in common, and forgetting about the things that may make us different. Homecoming… create(s) a place where we all come together based on our commonalities.” Her fondest memory was the retreat because it is a great time to have the entire committee bond.

Cavanagh’s favorite memory as a committee member has been going on the field at Camp Randall for the football game to get acknowledged for all of the committee’s hard work. Cavanagh says, “It was an amazing experience to watch an entire football game with all of the committee members and to see the entire student body and so many alumni excited to be at the Badger football game.” In respect to Greek life, Cavanagh furthers the Theta ideal of leading women to the Homecoming committee. She notes, “we [the committee] strive for intellectual success as well as working with philanthropy.” While there are many reasons to be proud to be a Badger year-round, Homecoming week provides an opportunity for all Badgers (past and present) to unite and celebrate everything about the Wisconsin Idea and Badger pride.

#homecoming