Bowling Green junior Ty Tipton, along with other members of FarmHouse fraternity pull apart their float after it caught on fire before the start of the Homecoming parade Friday evening. Before the fire broke out, the float was awarded second place. BEN SEVERANCE/HERALD

This year marks the 40th anniversary of Kappa Alpha Psi at Western. Howard Bailey, left, vice president of Student Affairs, was the first president of Kappa Alpha Psi while Kenneth Thomas, right, a senior from Lansing, Mich., is its current president. ALBERT CESARE/HERALD

With thousands of alumni back on campus to celebrate Homecoming, Western could reap the financial benefits.
Homecoming isn’t designed as a fundraising tool, but the “feel-good” atmosphere on campus often leads to more donations for Western, said Tom Hiles, vice president for Institutional Advancement.
“The main emphasis is welcoming alumni back to campus,” Hiles said. “… The [...]

Despite the rocky football season, campus will be crowded this weekend.
About 20,000 alumni will attend Homecoming, said Ginny Hensley, the director of alumni programming, Homecoming co-chair and a 1997 graduate.
Hensley works in the alumni relations office, which has planned 10 to 12 alumni events this week.
The events kicked off yesterday with the Chili and Cheese [...]

During Homecoming week, Western’s guests are treated to a parade, tailgating, a pep rally and more.
At these events are Spirit Masters trying to make alumni and guests feel at home?
Spirit Masters are ambassadors of Western and serve to assist the administration, alumni and community at functions on and off campus, according to the Spirit Masters [...]

Though many students and alumni will take time off to tailgate or party this weekend, the campus police won’t be taking a break to see who wins Homecoming Queen.
Campus police will be busy making sure all aspects of Homecoming are covered, said Maj. Mike Wallace, field operations commander for campus police.
Some officers will be in [...]

David Kintyhtt, an employee of Bowling Green Tent Rental, drives in a stake on South Lawn while putting up a tent on Nov. 3, 2009. At least a dozen tents have popped up on campus in preparation for Homecoming. JESSICA EBELHAR/HERALD

People from all over the country come back every year to visit their alma mater [...]

Bowling Green becomes a home for some students while they are at Western.
Some alumni reminisced about places they frequented as students.

Courtney Mims, a 2008 graduate who lives in Memphis, Tenn., said the Great American Doughnut Shop, at 901 U.S. 31W, is her favorite place to visit when she comes to Bowling Green.

While at Western, she [...]

For many, college Homecoming is highly anticipated. Spirited fans look forward to the game, the crowning of the queen, the concerts and the after parties.
While many students are busy stocking up on their tailgating spreads and meticulously coordinating their outfits, there are some who find Homecoming festivities trivial.
Radcliff graduate student Darlisa McCray said she feels [...]

Members of the Rifle Line including sophomore Austin Thomas, center, from Alvaton prepare for the homecoming halftime show on Wednesday, November 5, 2009. Thomas joined the Western Color Guard this year but has been spinning rifles for four years.BEN SEVERANCE/HERALD

Through sickness and in rain, the Big Red Marching Band has practiced in preparation for their [...]