Trulaske students help pilot the University of Missouri’s 112th Homecoming

by Elleyna Rudman

Trulaske College of Business students are traditionally at the forefront of one of the biggest planning feats of the year: Homecoming.

This year is no exception with 10 of our students serving on the 112th Homecoming Steering Committee, which develops and plans a variety of activities, including the parade, blood drive, talent show, spirit rally and much more.   

We asked some of our students about their experience and how Trulaske helped prepare them for their leadership roles.

 

Adela Keller, Homecoming Tri-Director

St. Louis, Missouri

Emphasis Area: Marketing

 

How has Trulaske helped prepare you for your leadership position?

Two things I have taken away from my classes at Trulaske are the importance of teamwork and being a good listener. Homecoming is all about being a part of team, and for members of the steering committee, it’s also about being a part of a family. Everything we do takes the creativity and passion of each member to sustain and grow Homecoming’s traditions. My hope is everyone on the steering committee looks back on the past eight months and sees the new friendships, skills and ways they have grown through planning the 112th Homecoming and is proud of what they have accomplished and who they have become.

What are you most excited for the Mizzou community to experience during Homecoming?

The passion and pride for Mizzou this year can’t be denied. Our committee, students and organizations are raising the bar to create the best Homecoming the university has ever seen. I am most excited for the Mizzou community to experience this passion and excitement and realize how much they love the people and memories that make them a part of the Mizzou community. Homecoming is one of the most infectious experiences, and the passion this year is spreading quickly throughout campus.

What has been the most exciting part of the planning process?

Seeing all our big dreams and passions come to life. Almost a year ago, the three tri-directors came in with big visions and dreams for Homecoming. At the time, we laughed that we were running on the excitement of our ideas, but that passion has never slowed down. It’s continued to grow and be fueled by our committee members who have helped bring these dreams alive in bigger ways than we ever imagined. We want every student on campus to feel welcomed and a part of our traditions.

What do you think makes Mizzou Homecoming special?

Mizzou Homecoming is truly an experience you won’t have anywhere else. I think it’s safe to say there’s not another university out there that does it like Mizzou. What makes our homecoming special is it’s a student-run celebration. From the inside out, each tradition and event showcases students and their passion for Mizzou.

What is your favorite Homecoming tradition?

If I had to pick one, I would say the parade. It is such a unique event, where all your friends, family and community come together to celebrate. Everyone has a smile on their face and is excited to be there. It’s an incredible feeling when you realize Mizzou Homecoming is being a part of something bigger than us. I’m really looking forward to experiencing the parade this year alongside our committee and seeing them experience the joy of riding in the parade and seeing the reach of their impact on the Mizzou community.

 

Cade Koehly

Chillicothe, Missouri

Emphasis Area: Accounting

Committee: Outreach

 

How has Trulaske helped prepare you for your leadership position?

From day one, clubs and organizations within Trulaske – such as the Cornell Leadership Program and Business Ambassadors – have put me in the position to learn and grow as a person and a leader. I’ve learned how to deal with conflict, how to make hard decisions and how to think critically about the impact of my choices and the example that I set. It’s also taught me accountability and the importance of stepping up to do the tasks and duties that no one wants to take on. Having the opportunity to travel and visit companies, learn from the brightest students and professionals, and give back to the Trulaske community has shaped my life and college career in an irreplaceable way.

Why did you want to get involved with Homecoming leadership?

Homecoming is one of our oldest and most valuable traditions here at Mizzou, so I’ve always had a great amount of respect for it and for the people on our steering committee who make it possible. However, I didn’t plan on getting involved until I realized the opportunity included the responsibility to organize and execute another great tradition: balancing preservation and improvement. I wanted to be a part of facilitating the ongoing change that exists within our Homecoming celebration while maintaining its historic legacy that makes it so near and dear to our hearts.

What is your favorite part of working on the steering committee?

I have two. The first is the people. Our tri-directors have put together a phenomenal group of talented individuals who are selfless and passionate in their desire to be a part of steering committee. The thing that makes this group stand out to me is how pure everyone’s intentions are. There’s no clout-chasing or resume-building. Everyone is here because they love Mizzou and want to create the best celebration we’ve ever seen for all students and alumni. The second is the joy that Homecoming brings. I’ve been around Mizzou Homecoming since I was a child, so I know the immense impact it has on our community, and I can’t wait to see what it’s like to be on the other side. I expect it to be one of the most humbling and fulfilling experiences of my life.

What is one piece of advice that has helped you navigate the planning process?

Probably just to think about the future. Overall, our committee only exists for a short period of time, but Homecoming (hopefully) exists for a very, very long time. Part of this process is building for the future, so it’s important to think strategically and not be discouraged if some of the results of our work aren’t seen immediately.

What is your favorite Homecoming tradition?

My favorite Homecoming tradition is the parade. It’s just such a beautiful celebration that truly brings together Mizzou and the greater Columbia community. I have a bunch of nieces, a nephew and a ton of younger cousins, so I also love seeing how happy the kids are and how much they love it.

 

Will Mason

St. Louis, Missouri

Emphasis Area: Accounting

Committee: Talent

 

How has Trulaske helped prepare you for your leadership position?

Trulaske has helped me in my leadership positions in several ways. My experience in the Cornell Leadership Program has taught me valuable skills about professionalism, and my overall experience in the business school has given me relevant skills in effective communication, time management and technical matters.

Why did you want to get involved with Homecoming leadership?

I wanted to get involved in the Homecoming Steering Committee because I have a passion for involvement and event planning at Mizzou. Homecoming is the perfect opportunity to serve the entire Mizzou community while having an incredible time!

What is one piece of advice that has helped you navigate the planning process?

Making use of the resources we have is one very helpful piece of advice I have received. There is a wealth of knowledge and tools available both internally and externally, and that combination of resources can be used to facilitate all the fun events we put on.

What is your favorite Homecoming tradition?

My favorite Homecoming tradition is campus decorations on Friday night. It is an amazing display of the creativity and talent of students at Mizzou, and a night that all ages of Tigers can enjoy.

 

Margo Nelson

St. Louis, Missouri

Emphasis Area: Marketing

Committee: Blood Drive

 

How has Trulaske helped prepare you for your leadership position?

To start, I believe my sales courses have helped me greatly with the work I am doing with the blood drive. I have been a part of gaining sponsorships from local Columbia businesses to help support our drive. The sales courses have taught me what it takes to form relationships and make meaningful business connections. As a marketing major, Trulaske has taught me a variety of techniques to spread awareness and information. The skills and knowledge I have obtained from my marketing classes have been essential in helping with the marketing efforts for our blood drive. I am also a member of a business fraternity, and this has helped me to gain the leadership confidence that I need to be successful in this role.

What has been the most exciting part of the planning process?

Over the past eight months, members of all the committees have been putting in so much hard work. It‘s been so fulfilling to watch their visions start coming to life this Homecoming season. I have met some of the most amazing people through the steering committee and getting to watch them reach and surpass their goals is really exciting to me!

What is your favorite part of working on the steering committee?

My favorite part is having the privilege to continue the longstanding traditions of our university. Our school is full of spirit and pride, and I love to see so many people celebrate what it means to be a Missouri Tiger.

Why did you want to get involved with Homecoming leadership?

I am a transfer student, and my former university lacked in creating community, a sense of belonging and school spirit. When I transferred to Mizzou, I was amazed at the amount of school spirit we have and how much fun it is to be a part of the campus community. I decided to apply for the steering committee because I wanted to be a part of continuing our traditions and making Mizzou a place of excitement and belonging for all students and alumni.

What is your favorite Homecoming tradition?

I might be a little biased as a member of the Blood Drive Committee, but I would say my favorite Homecoming tradition is the blood drive. It is incredible to watch our university and surrounding community come together to make a difference in the lives of others. I love the passion that Mizzou shows for saving lives and doing our part to help those in need.

 

Jonathan Thomas

Branson, Missouri

Emphasis Areas: Economics and Finance

Committee: Blood Drive

 

How has Trulaske helped prepare you for your leadership position?

I have met so many students with similar goals to me at Trulaske, and it has pushed me to become more service oriented. Having like-minded students to work alongside has really helped me exceed expectations in every leadership role I've been a part of!

What do you think makes Mizzou Homecoming special?

Its impact on the local community! I love how Homecoming brings everyone together to make such a strong impact on the people around us. I've never seen a community this involved in a singular cause, and it's just another reason I'm proud to be a Mizzou student.

What is one piece of advice that has helped you navigate the planning process?

One piece of advice that helped me through the planning process was to lean on my committee when I needed to. The Blood Drive Committee this year has had a lot of work to do, and I couldn't have done as much as I did without the support of everyone on my team.

What has been the most challenging part of the planning process?

The most challenging part of the planning process was creating all the spreadsheets for blood registrations. Although it took a lot of work, it was great to see all the slots we were able to fill for the blood drive.

What is your favorite Homecoming tradition?

My favorite Homecoming tradition is our annual blood drive! I think it's amazing how many lives we get to save each year, and I'm so glad I get to be a part of something so impactful.

 

Flynn Wiegner

Foristell, Missouri

Emphasis Areas: Finance, Real Estate

Committee: Campus Decorations

 

How has Trulaske helped prepare you for your leadership position?

Trulaske has prepared me for my leadership position by offering many opportunities to practice group work skills in the classroom. For example, a class I took last year, BA 3500, required me to work with a team of classmates throughout the semester to market a real business. Working alongside a variety of people with different skill sets, talents and priorities strengthened my teamwork abilities and made me a stronger asset to the 2023 Homecoming Steering Committee.

What is your favorite part of working on the steering committee?

My favorite part has been the people who have surrounded and supported me. We know how to get things done, but we also know how to have fun while doing it. You are who you surround yourself with, and being surrounded by a group of positive, encouraging, happy and fun people has made this semester my most unique experience yet.

What do you think makes Mizzou Homecoming special?

I think Mizzou Homecoming is so special because it is such an established tradition. Whether you go here, went here or have a friend who goes here, you know Mizzou Homecoming. We don’t just call ourselves the “first and finest” for no reason!

What has been the most exciting part of the planning process?

So far, the most exciting part has been seeing the work the group has done come to life. We spend hours planning and working on logistical elements of different events, so watching the events actually take place has been super rewarding.

What is your favorite Homecoming tradition?

My favorite tradition would have to be the campus decorations the night before Homecoming. It may sound like a biased answer given the fact that I am on the Campus Decorations Committee, but it’s true. Columbia locals, alumni, friends and family make the trip to view the decorations that have been built. Seeing Greek Town packed with people who are there for a common purpose has always been a cool experience for me.

 

Jacob Wizgird

Chicago, Ilinois

Emphasis Area: Marketing

Committee: Public Relations

 

How has Trulaske helped prepare you for your leadership position?

When I took BA 1500 with [Assistant Teaching Professor] Tim Hill my freshman year, I really enjoyed the course, and it helped teach me a lot about business etiquette and practices.

I have also utilized online resources to improve my interviewing skills and create my resume which has helped me hold positions with the Homecoming Steering Committee, Summer Welcome and Mizzou Athletics!

Why did you want to get involved with Homecoming leadership?

When I saw applications opened, I saw it as an opportunity to truly make a mark on the 112th Homecoming. I am a part of the public relations team that creates social media content and coordinates special projects for the group. I believe we can create a product out of the 112th Homecoming that will impact the school for future groups.

What do you think makes Mizzou Homecoming special?

The history of it. No one matches Mizzou when it comes to Homecoming. The fact that we have so many community members who want to be a part of the tradition is special. It touches the whole Columbia community.

What has been the most challenging part of the planning process?

Really imagining what it will look like in October. It is a fun and busy month, but that doesn’t come without months of communication, ideation and preparations. As a Public Relations Committee member, we have a lot of work planned for the next month.

What is your favorite Homecoming tradition?

The football game. Last year was my first year at Mizzou, and I was amazed to see how bright and busy the campus was last fall. I look forward to seeing everyone come home again this fall at Faurot Field!