Homecoming Festivities and Family Weekend Screagle Pride was on full display during homecoming festivities and family weekend January 30 through February 5.

Office Homecoming Decorating Contest

From the Dean of Students Office to Undergraduate Admissions in the Fuquay Welcome Center, USI departments decked out their office spaces with school spirit leading up to Homecoming. This year's winning designation went to the Center for Exploring Majors. Employees turned their hallway into Highway 41 complete with stoplights at every intersection, decorated doors that featured a little smack talk to competitors and an interactive art display in the main office.

Family Weekend activities

A cozy time was had by all

Housing and Residence Life sponsored a cozy pillow and blanket-making event for students and their parents and family members.

For the more adventurous families, there was an evening of rock climbing in the Recreation, Fitness and Wellness Center (RFWC), sponsored by the RFWC.

Rhythm Fest

The Center for Campus Life and the Multicultural Center wowed families with this year's Rhythm Fest held in the USI Performance Center. The vibes were just right with the combination of food and LED light-up headbands, sun glasses and glow sticks available. This year's fest featured a "Versus Battle" with St. Louis' LaToya Wilson and Shanelle Scott, who performed covers from some of the most talented artists. The classic Beyoncé throwbacks brought down the house.

Discovering an artistic talent

A Paint and Sip event was wildly popular; both sessions of the art event hosted nearly 100 enthusiastic would-be artists. Painting With A Twist instructors were on hand to guide budding artists on how to create mountain scenes and a field of poppies.

Division I Homecoming Pep Rally and Tailgate

FAMILIES ENJOY USI'S WINTER TAILGATE FESTIVITIES

The Alumni Association and New Student and Transitional Programs sponsored the first annual Homecoming Tailgate and Pep Rally before the USI Women's and Men's Basketball games on Saturday, February 4. From caricature artists to a roaming magician, the tailgate was filled with fun photo ops and a variety of food.

HOMECOMING MAJESTIES CROWNED

In 2020, students decided members of the USI Homecoming Court would not be voted "King" or "Queen." Now, Student Development Programs, with support from Student Affairs and the Student Government Association (SGA), oversees the election of Homecoming "Majesties." The language change was made to reflect the University's mission of gender inclusivity. Students must be nominated by a USI faculty or staff member or a student organization, and Court selection is based on community and campus involvement, academic excellence and overall pride for USI.

Nominee requirements include completion of 48 credit hours, a cumulative GPA of 2.6 or higher and demonstrating outstanding leadership skills through campus and community involvement.

Twelve students were named to this year's Homecoming Court. Selection of the University's two Homecoming Majesties took place during the Homecoming Week festivities and was decided through a combination of student votes, interviews and Homecoming Week participation.

Ahead of Homecoming Week, the 12 Court members were asked what it meant to serve on the 2023 USI Homecoming Court. Here's what they had to say:

"Having the opportunity to be on the USI Homecoming Court allows me to positively represent the organizations I am involved in. I am an active member of Alpha Sigma Tau and the current President of the Panhellenic council, so this experience allows me to represent my individual chapter, as well as the USI Fraternity and Sorority Life community. The chance to be on Homecoming Court will be one of my favorite memories at USI!" - Kyleigh Blum

"I am so excited and honored to be on the USI Homecoming Court and represent the University and organizations I am involved in. I want to thank my friends and family for supporting me along the way. Being a part of Homecoming Court, along with these amazing people, is one of the highlights of my experience at USI." - Alex Clark

"Homecoming is a time to bring the entire USI community together, and I Iove seeing how this weekend united everyone. I consider it a huge honor to represent USI on the Homecoming Court, and I am so excited to celebrate together. Go Screagles!" - Casey Clark

"I am so grateful to have to opportunity to represent my University, the Romain College of Business and the organizations I am involved in as a Homecoming Majesty. I am so excited to share and celebrate my accomplishments, hardships, and everything in between with my family, friends and peers from over the last three years I've spent at USI." - Jaslynn Conti

"It's an honor to be recognized by the USI community for my accomplishments and involvement during my college career. USI has assisted my career path and individual growth in ways one cannot explain." - Andrew Dehner

"I am incredibly honored to be a member of the 2023 USI Homecoming Court! I am grateful for the opportunity to represent the University, my peers and the various student organizations I am involved in." - Molly Donoho

"Being on Homecoming Court is truly a dream come true! I am excited to represent the Food and Nutrition Student Organization as well as the Orientation Leader team. Homecoming week is one of my favorite traditions and this experience will forever be a highlight of my time at USI." - Sarah Fruit

"As President of the Interfraternity Council, I am so excited to be able to represent the Fraternity and Sorority life community on the 2023 Homecoming Court. Being selected to participate in Homecoming is one of my favorite experiences while being a student here at USI." - Pierce Howard

"For a few months now, I’ve been working with the HVAC department here at USI, and I’ve realized there are TONS of other people who work here and go here: I'm just a tiny part of USI. With Homecoming, I'm super grateful for this chance to be a bigger part of USI's history!" - Koby Lindner

"These last four years have given me many opportunities to meet and work with an amazing group of faculty and peers while growing my education skills. Proudly representing my Sigma Tau Gamma brothers, I look forward to taking my Screagle spirit into my future endeavors and an alumni." - Cooper Motz

"I am so incredibly honored to have a place on the 2023 Homecoming Court, representing both USI and the organizations I am involved in! The decision to become involved in various organizations at USI has been one of the best decisions I have ever made, as I will always cherish the wonderful people I have met! Go Screags!" - Ashton Stine

"I truly have never been more proud to be a Screagle! Being on USI's Homecoming Court is such an honor, and I am beyond thrilled to represent the USI community and its organizations in such a fun and exciting way! Being a Screagle has allowed me the opportunity to be a part of so many amazing organizations, including Greek life, that benefit both the USI campus and the surrounding community. I look forward to seeing the school spirit from both the current students and alumni!" - Alli Wilsbacher

Koby Lindner is crowned 2023 Homecoming Majesty by 2022 Homecoming Majesty Makayla Schirmer.

Cooper Motz reacts as he's chosen as the second 2023 Homecoming Majesty.

Koby and Cooper embrace as they are crowned 2023 Homecoming Majesties.

2023 University of Southern Indiana Homecoming Court

At the end of the ceremony, Koby Lindner and Cooper Motz were crowned 2023 Homecoming Majesties.

Lindner is an engineering major from Evansville. He enjoys saying hi to people and asking them how they are doing. He has been involved with Engineers in Action on campus and helped build a footbridge on another continent in 2019. His lifetime goals are to be a dad, a missionary, an engineer and a cowboy–in that order!

Motz is a senior Business Management major from Wadesville, Indiana. He’s served as an active volunteer during his time at USI. Roles include Eagle Leader Camp, Emerging Leader, Service Saturday, Welcome Week, and Pet-A-Pup Humane Society Fundraiser. Cooper has already accepted a position with CGB Enterprises to begin after graduation.

Check out highlights from the two basketball games against Morehead State University!

Homecoming and Family Weekend may be over for 2023, but we're already excited and counting down for next year! Be sure to continue supporting our student-athletes as Senior Night for the USI Women's and Men's Basketball will be held between games on Saturday, February 11 in the Screaming Eagles Arena.

Created By

Barbara J. Goodwin

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Credits:

Barbara J. Goodwin