Col. Ed Stansbury, a native of Shepardsville, Ky., arrived at Western on a hot August day in 1926. He walked from the train station to the Hill and wasn’t sure it was for him. Now, he said, Western is like his home. Stansbury said he has only missed a few Homecoming games since he retired from the military, and he plans on attending the game this year.

Since 1992, Western has inducted 66 people into its Hall of Distinguished Alumni. The inductees have ranged from former Western presidents to fighter pilots. This year, three more will be added to the list.

The awards are based on outstanding performance and dedication to Western.

Western alumnus, Mark Bradshaw enjoys being a manager of Kroger during the Homecoming season. He sees students and alumni stop in to pick up tail-gating items decked out to support the Hilltoppers. “I enjoy seeing people wearing extra Western stuff and getting extra business,” he said.

As in any massive event, Western’s Homecoming week doesn’t come together by accident. It comes together because Jeff Younglove and his staff have spent weeks planning the logistics behind the countless events. As the director of campus and community events, Younglove directs nearly 200 tables and 1,200 chairs to the receptions, lunches and tailgate parties that make up Homecoming.