MU History: A Few Moments in Millersville Homecoming History 

A Few Moments in Millersville Homecoming History 
By: Mamie Covell, student

The bridge at The Lake decorated to welcome alumni back to campus.  Millersville University of Pennsylvania; 1958 Millersville Touchstone Yearbook Page. Millersville University Archives and Special Collections.

Homecoming celebrations have been a tradition throughout the United States for decades. This Fall we will see a different take on the tradition in light of the current COVID-19 pandemic. Our Marauder pride will still remain strong throughout this difficult time as our current students, faculty and staff thrive at The Ville’. 

 In the early 1950s, the Homecoming Day Varsity Drag was the greatest social event of the academic year. This celebration included the naming of four varsity sweethearts. These sweethearts were named by varsity club athletic sports teams. As the classic 1950s imagery comes to mind, remember students did not just wear the nostalgic homecoming T-shirts we see today. Here was a time where men sported the classic varsity letter on their sweaters and women athletes wore blazers, something we only see in movies today.  

Millersville University of Pennsylvania;1951 Millersville Touchstone Yearbook Page. Millersville University Archives and Special Collections.

 

 

cherished Homecoming memory took place in 1958, when the new athletic field was dedicated to President Dr. Biemsderfer. Mrs. Biemsderfer was included in the homecoming day ceremony. She was given roses and sent a kind sentiment of how much she meant to the college. This ceremony included the crowning of Homecoming Queen, a tradition that we carry on today.

 

Millersville University of Pennsylvania;1972 Millersville Touchstone Yearbook Page. Millersville University Archives and Special Collections.

Lesley Matthews was the first African American Homecoming Queen. In 1971, Matthews was chosen as the Queen, sponsored by the Black Student Association. She was an honors student at Millersville and beloved by her classmates. She is pictured at the football game half-time on Homecoming day, wearing her crown.  

The Millersville Pride Homecoming Parade has been a long-standing tradition. Clubs, sororities, fraternities and other Millersville organizations walk in the parade to celebrate their contributions to the Millersville Community. This celebration welcomes back a large number of alumni back onto campus, as well as community members who reside in the Millersville Borough.   

Millersville University of Pennsylvania; 1984 Millersville Touchstone Yearbook Page
Millersville University Archives and Special Collections. Dr. and Mrs. Caputo in the Homecoming Parade.

 

Millersville’s Homecoming tradition has long been a time to recognize the student body in the past and present. This event draws together a wide variety of individuals from all over the country who all have a special connection to this institution. Though things will be a bit different this year, remember that it is always a great day to be a Marauder! 

Our history at Millersville is artfully recounted in the book We Sing To Thee by Dennis B. Downey. Pick up a copy at our University Store!