51社区鈥檚 2018 Homecoming theme, dates announced
Nearly 4,000 Bobcats cast their vote for the annual theme selection. 鈥淎thens State of Mind鈥� was the clear favorite after the votes were tallied.
This year鈥檚 Homecoming weekend 鈥� October 15-20 鈥� will follow the theme 鈥淎thens State of Mind,鈥� a celebration of how Bobcats carry the spirit of Athens no matter where they go.
The idea is credited to alumna Sharon Miller, BA 鈥�14, whose collegiate days as an English major inspired the theme.
鈥淎 quote from a book I read for an English course, 鈥榝reedom is a state of mind,鈥� reminded me of all of the things that Athens reminds me of,鈥� Miller said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 that grin that stretches across my face when I see the word Athens or anything related to it.鈥�
Nearly 4,000 Bobcats cast their ballots for the annual theme selection. Athens State of Mind took a tremendous lead with 2,308 votes, with 鈥淏and of Bobcats鈥� coming in second place at 936 votes, and 鈥淥HIO Original鈥� collecting 665 votes.
鈥淭his year will celebrate a unique theme that resonates with both our alumni and our current students,鈥� said Dawn Werry, senior director of external relations for the OHIO Alumni Association. 鈥淭he idea that Athens isn鈥檛 just a place, but a state of being, is a creative way to convey the message that Athens never truly leaves you.鈥�
Miller explains that when she can鈥檛 make it to Athens, she channels the town鈥檚 familiar energy by surrounding herself with fellow Bobcats or playing music that brings her back to her collegiate days on the bricks.
鈥淭he Athens state of mind is a combination of joy, magic and excitement. You can conjure this up anywhere you go,鈥� Miller said. 鈥淲hen life is getting too mundane, Athens will rejuvenate you.鈥�
Students, faculty, staff and alumni are invited to submit their original designs for the event logo that will be used throughout Homecoming week.
Submissions must be delivered to homecoming@ohio.edu or the Konneker Alumni Center in the form of a full color 300 dpi .ai, .pdf or .jpeg file by March 20 to be considered. An OHIO gift worth $100 will be awarded for the best design.
For more details about Homecoming 2018 as they become available, please visit ohio.edu/homecoming.