News 2020

Homecoming 2020 at West Chester University may not have looked exactly like past celebrations but it did what any good Homecoming should do – it brought the community together to have fun and share in Ram Pride. 

Held from Oct. 19-24, activities included a Tik Tok Challenge, a virtual comedy show, an online cooking class, yoga session, Rams After Hours, and much more. True to its celestial theme, students and alumni enjoyed a virtual planetarium show, a Space Jam movie viewing party, and space-themed trivia night. A Ramblings Live sponsored by the Alumni Association focused on WCU athletics, and the Class of 1970 celebrated its 50^th reunion virtually. (The class also has been invited to attend an in-person party scheduled for October 2021.)  There was even fun for the littlest Golden Rams, with a segment of the ever-popular “Reading with Rammy” story-time.

The celebration culminated in a virtual Homecoming Parade on Oct. 24 that began with a video by WCU President Chris Fiorentino. Throughout the day, student clubs and organizations posted their Homecoming videos. Instead of the usual Church Street Fest, there was a Zoom Street Fest, with a caricaturist and tarot card readers.  

“It was important to the Student Activities Council to keep up our tradition, even if it was virtual,” said Emily Gerstmyer, a WCU junior and vice president of traditions for the Student Activities Council.  “Homecoming this year meant a small piece of normalcy and fun in a time that’s been unprecedented and stressful.”

“I personally went to the Space Jam Virtual Watch Party and it was so fun to watch a movie with other people,” added Gerstmyer. “It also was fun see how excited everyone was to attend the tarot card reader event and the caricaturist event.” 

Sabrina Rightmer, director of Communications and Marketing for Student Affairs, supported the Student Activities Council, the dozens of other student clubs and organizations involved, and the Alumni Association in all their hard work putting together Homecoming.

She noted that Homecoming was a success in both participation and engagement. Ramblings Live with WCU Athletics and the virtual comedy show were the best-attended events. On the social media side of things, the Homecoming Parade, virtual Alumni Band video and Instagram Cutest Pet Competition were most viewed.

Rightmer is a WCU alumna as well as employee and she said she looks forward to Homecoming every year. “This year looked different, but my friends and I found ways to come together virtually for the trivia night and other events,” said Rightmer. “We held an outdoor Bring-Your-Own-Chair watch party for the comedy show. It gave us the community feel of homecoming while staying safe and socially distanced. We’re grateful for opportunities to celebrate together.”