Saddle up for a western themed Homecoming! Since 1914, the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities has celebrated Homecoming, a week dedicated to honoring the spirit and energy of the maroon and gold! This celebration rounds up the campus community with events such as live concerts, sports competitions, royalty coronation, philanthropy events, pep rallies, parade, football game and more.
This years theme, Wild Wild Midwest combines a fun western theme and Minnesota pride into our location in the Midwest.
Did you know this about Minnesota?
- The Mall of America in Bloomington is the size of 78 football fields 9.5 million square feet.
- The climate controlled Metrodome is the only facility in the country to host a Super Bowl, World Series and NCAA Final Four Basketball Championship.
- Minneapolis has more golfers per capita than any other city in the country.
- Minnesota has 90,000 miles of shoreline, more than California, Florida and Hawaii combined.
- The first open heart surgery and the first bone marrow transplant in the United States were done at the University of Minnesota.
- In 1956, Southdale, in the Minneapolis suburb of Edina was the first enclosed climate-controlled shopping mall.
- Tonka Trucks were developed and are continued to be manufactured in Minnetonka.
- There are 201 Mud Lakes, 154 Long Lakes, and 123 Rice Lakes commonly named in Minnesota.
"Friends in Low Places"
Homecoming 2006 Committee Biographies
Alex King
Campus Wide Activities Co-Coordinator
This year's Homecoming Executive Committee consists of a handful of ambitious, motivated, and dedicated students. The responsibility of the Committee as a whole is to create, implement, and execute all events during the week of Homecoming. As the Campus-Wide Activities Co-Coordinator, it is my responsibility to provide direction and vision to the committee. Also, I provide the committee with the necessary resources, as well as act as a liaison to the Campus-Wide Activities Advisor. We are always looking for feedback and/or suggestions for improvement. To contact me, please email me at king0477@umn.edu
Alissa Pepelnjak
Campus Wide Activities Co-Coordinator
Howdy! Homecoming 2006: Wild Wild Midwest is an opportunity for every student, alumni, and community member to celebrate all that is "wild in the Midwest!". As co-coordinator, my primary responsibility is to work closely with the committee members to ensure a fantastic and fun-filled Homecoming. I work as a direct liaison between the committee, our advisors, Student Unions & Activities, and the community at large. My goal is to see more students at the events, participating and having a blast, than ever before! Also, I want to see more commuter students enjoy the Homecoming experience! If you have any questions, send me an email at pepe0018@umn.edu.
Mike Hohag
Campus Wide Activities Intern
As Campus Wide Activities Intern I serve directly under the Campus-Wide Activities Advisor. My main tasks are to manage both committee development and serve as a resource for committee members. In addition, I work directly with the co-coordinators and assist them in any way to successfully plan and execute Homecoming. Most of my free hours will be spent at the MPAC office located at Coffman Union. As a senior I am looking forward to my best year at the "U" and graduating this coming spring. If you would like to get involved or have any questions feel free to contact me at hoha0006@umn.edu
Dana Petersen
Campus Pride & Spirit Chair
Hey Y'all! I am the Pride & Spirit Chair for Homecoming 2006. I'm in charge of planning events to get University students, alumni and the campus community pumped about the Wild Wild Midwest Homecoming. I am planning a Blood drive for a philanthropy event, Fall festival, BBQ, Barn Dance and other Kick-off events during Homecoming week. If you'd like to get involved with this exciting campus tradition, please contact me via e-mail at pete3333@umn.edu. Thanks!
Irina Vishnevskaya
Residence Life Chair
As the Residence Life chair I am involved in planning and coordinating the Residence Halls' involvement in this year's Homecoming. I act as a link between the Homecoming Executive Committee and the Residence Halls and will often attend meetings at the Residence Halls with CAs and Hall Councils. The most exiting part of my position is planning the Residence Life and Greek Day, which is sure to be a blast this year. If you are interested at all in helping out, whether or not you live in a Residence Hall, please contact me at: vishn002@umn.edu
Mike Traxinger
Awards, Scoring, & Judging Chair
My goal in being part of the 2006 Homecoming Committee is to create a greater involvement among all campus communities for the week of homecoming. This is the largest student event on campus and everyone is invited to participate. My other campus activities include the University of Minnesota Marching Band, Centennial Hall Council, Orientation and First-Year Programs, Career and Community Learning Center, CLA office of Freshman and Sophomore Programs, and Intramural Volleyball. If you want to get involved with making Homecoming 2006 extremely successful, contact me at trax0023@umn.edu
Mike Reynolds
Parade Co-Chair
As the parade co-chair, my responsibilities are vast and include the overall planning of the parade including finding the Grand Marshall, organizing participants, delegating duties on parade day, and in general making the parade run as smoothly as possible. I am looking for fun, motivated and dependable people who want to help out with the parade. If you are interested, please e-mail me at reyn0170@umn.edu.
Jake Helms
Parade Co-Chair
I am one of the two parade chairs for Homecoming 2006. My duties and responsibilities include securing an Emcee and Grand Marshall to closing off streets for the actual parade. Along with my other co-chair, I also contact and establish a parade participant list to make sure that everyone enjoys the parade. If you would like to help out, please contact me at helm0162@umn.edu.
Andy Potasek
Sports Chair
Howdy everyone, I am the Sports Chair for homecoming 2006. I am in my junior year here at the U and am majoring in Marketing and Entrepreneurial Management. This year we look to keep the tradition of Flag Football alive while also bringing something new to the table with Water Polo as an optional activity. If you would like to help out on either of these events, just drop me an e-mail pota0014@umn.edu.
Michael Marino
Royalty Chair
I am a junior majoring in Public Relations and I heart Homecoming 2006. As the Royalty Chair, it is my job to plan Royalty for the candidates. From the point breakdown to secret surprises, I have planned it all (with help!). Royalty has been a really fun position on the committee thanks to the freedom the position has. If anyone is interested in helping out with any of the Royalty events, or likes long walks on the beach and giving massages, let me know at mari0168@umn.edu.
Amy Devore
Greek Chair
As Greek Chair, I serve as the link between the Executive Committee and the Greek pairings involved in this year's Homecoming festivities. I will be working closely with one representative from each chapter to ensure that Homecoming is a success. In addition, I will be the main contact for all questions and concerns that the Greek community may have during registration and the week of Homecoming. Homecoming is always an exciting time for Greek chapters and this year will be no exception. If you're interested in helping keep the Greek community informed, contact me at: devo0046@umn.edu.
Katie Wilharm
Campus, Community, and Alumni
Howdy! My position on the committee is campus community, alumni and student groups. I am in charge of getting University organizations to participate in homecoming events such as sports, LipSync and the Barn Dance. If you are interested in participating or want to know how you can get involved with the weeks events shoot me an email at wilha001@umn.edu
Jay Arcuri
Campus Wide Activities Advisor
As the Campus-Wide Activities Advisor, I serve as a Historian, a Resource, an Encourager, an Advocate (or Devil's Advocate, depending on the day), a Liaison, a Mentor, a Psychic but most importantly a Friend. If you have any questions, feel free to email me at bane0027@umn.edu
