Homecoming: WHO RUN IT?! Alum vs. Students

For HBCU alum, going to Homecoming is a yearly event that both students and alumni look forward to. From the good food, fly fits, and catching up with old classmates; the atmosphere is both nostalgic and sentimental.

This year, Clark Atlanta University did something a little different to their Homecoming and tailgate experience. Not only was the concert free for students this year, but the school also extended their tailgate on campus, making the space more enjoyable and bringing in exciting brand activations.

While everyone shows love and pride to their alma mater, I decided to catch up with current students and alumni to see if they know their facts and ask what has changed since attending CAU.

Consolidated
Fun fact: Clark Atlanta University wasn’t always one school. It used to be two separate institutions: Clark College and Atlanta University. Atlanta University, established in 1865, was the first institution to award graduate degrees to African Americans. Clark College was the nation’s first four-year liberal arts college to serve mostly African American students.

While both schools were established in the 1800s, it wasn’t until July 1, 1988, when the schools came together to form Clark Atlanta University. This year, CAU celebrated 35 years of being consolidated and serves over 4,000 with undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate programs.

Who Ran the Yard?
As a 2024 graduate, there was always a growing debate on which Greek organization ran the yard. In my opinion, it was always the Alphas and Deltas that did their big ones. From the parties, on-campus events, and community service initiatives, those two orgs set the standard at CAU.

While of course some opinions were biased, it was interesting to hear how it changed as time progressed.

Go-To Hang Out Spots
Being on campus during the end of COVID really forced you to make your own fun. We would always hang out in each other’s rooms and throw our own kickbacks. We would occasionally hit 809 Hollywood Rd or the small lounge across from JR Crickets, but we mainly made our own fun.

The older alumni had cool insight on how the hang-out spots have changed, even the city of Atlanta in general.

What Would You Change?
We all know that there is always room for improvement at our HBCUs. From housing, to more funding, to bigger classrooms, there is always something that can be implemented to enhance the education and experience for the students.

To no surprise, many people said that there’s a need for better housing. This year, CAU assigned more co-ed dorms on campus to make room for the growing female population on campus. Hopefully, with the continuous donations and funding, the school will be able to renovate the abandoned buildings on campus and make room for something better.

While the crowd had both old and new faces, the energy was unmatched and you can clearly tell that everyone had a great time. Homecoming in Atlanta hits differently, especially in the AUC. If you are a fan of Homecoming tours, you should definitely add a stop to the AUC on your list for next year.