The spirit of Illinois State University came alive Monday night as hundreds of students, alumni and community members gathered in Uptown Circle to celebrate the start of Homecoming week with the annual tree lighting and kick-off event.
Beneath a crisp autumn sky, the crowd gathered in a sea of red as the lights flickered on, officially marking the beginning of a weeklong celebration that brings together generations of Redbirds. The sound of ISU’s Big Red Marching Machine filled the air, echoing through Uptown as attendees cheered.
ISU President Aondover Tarhule described the evening as “absolutely exciting.” He said seeing alumni from past decades mingle with current students is what makes the event truly special.
“One of the things I really like is meeting the alumni that come from the 60s or 70s, and they tell stories of how things were back then and the changes that they see,” Tarhule said. “It’s like the passing of the torch.”
Tarhule added that the energy of the evening, and of Homecoming week overall, captures what makes ISU unique.
“School is important; people come here to earn their degree,” Tarhule said. “But if you just came here to study, study, study and go nowhere, I think it would be pretty boring. It’s having activities like this, the enjoyment, the memories; this is what really stays in people’s minds. It’s what makes a college town a college town.”
For ISU senior acting major Taniah Jones, the night was nothing short of “magical.”
“Events like these are important because it lets people have fun, it gives people something to do,” Jones said. “There’s a lot of cool, free stuff and it’s cute in Uptown, so that’s a plus.”
For many students, Homecoming is about more than just football; it’s about connection. Senior mass media major Aliah Mendoza said she looks forward to the unity the week brings every year.
“My favorite part of Homecoming week, really, is the school spirit,” Mendoza said. “Regardless of where you go, everyone's super excited. Everyone's just wearing ISU gear, and of course, tailgating, probably the most. I’m excited for it.”
That sense of community is what keeps students like seniors America Vallejo and Diana Solano coming back year after year.
“We always go to the Homecoming games,” Solano said. “No matter if we win or lose, we always go and get dinner with friends afterwards.”
For the Executive Director of Alumni Engagement, Kristin Harding, the event embodied what Homecoming is meant to be.
“Whether it’s for current students or alums, it’s the feeling you get coming back to the institution,” Harding said. “We hope that this instilled a sense of tradition, a sense of celebration and a sense of spirit so that when students graduate, they remember what it was like to be at Illinois State during Homecoming week.”
Harding described the night in one word: “spirit.”
“Illinois State is highly relational. We’re very committed to the success of our students,” Harding said. “This helps raise that spirit of tradition. People are here to celebrate the great things that Illinois State has accomplished.”
As the crowd slowly dispersed into the Uptown streets, the glowing red lights of the trees lingered, a symbol of Redbird pride burning bright. The Homecoming festivities will continue throughout the week, leading up to Saturday’s parade and football game, but for many, the heart of the celebration began right here, under the lights in Uptown Circle.
