University of Kansas - Jayhawker Yearbook (Lawrence, KS)

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A Home K Coming Q Away F rom Home Cornelia Becker presses snooze twice before getting out of bed. She grabs a quick breakfast, her backpack and Jayhawks sweatshirt before heading off to class. Comelia may sound like a typical Kansas student, but she has spent the last 20 years of her life in Mauchenheim, Germany. Comelia, a graduate student in biology and English, is just one of many international students who call the University of Kansas home. In the spirit of Homecoming, it only seems right to look at what home means to Jayhawks from all around the world. Here at the University, Homecoming offers a time of reuniting and reminiscing for Kansas alurmii. It also gives current students time to reflect on the transition to their new home in Lawrence, but for more than 1,500 international students the picture is much different. Mutsa Kajese, a senior from Harare, Zimbabwe, came from a community-based culture. He has found that the University is one of the few places that has that same feel. Kajese was studying at Baker University, but said he longed for a bigger school with greater opportunities. As a pre-med student, Kajese said he was also enticed by the University's dynamic medical program. The Universityls appeal attracts students from all over the globe, but adjusting to college culture can be overwhelming especially in a whole new country. To help international students acclimate to the Lawrence lifestyle, the Office of International Student and Scholar Services offers a range of UDK l0!5 Page O14 The J ayhawker O6 O7 Year-book 1 services for International Students, including an international student orientation program offered each semester. Viviana Yaluk, ISSS Cultural Program coordinator, helps mn a Lawrence Friendship Family program, matching students with local families to build cultural understanding and adjustment through friendships. Through ISSS, students also get a chance to speak with local schools and University classes about their respective country. ISSS and the University hope to be the bridge between cultures, allowing international students to feel more at home in Lawrence. There is no better time to feel right at home and get a feel for Kansas spirit than Homecoming week. As thousands of people unite for the football game, Todor Gogov, a junior from Bulgaria, will think of a different kind of futbol. While he loves the friendly people of Lawrence, he longs for gathering with friends to watch soccer in Bulgaria. Adjusting to American culture has its challenges, but the welcoming atmosphere of Kansas Homecoming eases the transition. Homecoming has different meanings for different people. Some use it as a time to reconnect with friends, others to work frantically all night on a float, and still others use it as an excuse to pass out before noon. No matter what your plans are, take some time to reliect on what KU means to you. Homecoming for alumni has become an international event, uniting Jayhawks from around the globe.

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W0 Receive Leadership Award uring Habftime LHUICH Pierson and Scott Ferguson were selected from more than 35 applicants as E.X.C.E.L. Award winners during halftime of the football game on Saturday, October 7th. The E.X.C.E.L., or Excellence in Community and Leadership, awards are given annually during Homecoming to honor two outstanding senior students who have demonstrated achievement in the areas of community service, education and leadership. Applicants were required to have an overall grade-point average of 3.0 or higher. They were nominated by faculty members, organizations and fellow students, and then completed an application process. Pierson, Prairie Village senior, doesn't know who nominated her for the award, but said that the experience was exciting. I was very flattered that someone would think of me for this award, she said. 'fAl1 of the finalists have been amazing leaders throughout campus, and it was an honor to be among these finalists. A selection committee with members from Student Union Activities, the Board of Class Officers and the Homecoming steering committee, selected 10 finalists from the applicants to participate in an interview. They then chose a male and a female winner. Alyssa George, Minneapolis, Kan., senior and E.X.C.E.L. committee chairwoman for the Homecoming steering committee, said choosing two winners was difficult because all of the finalists were well qualilied. f'They were all dynamitej, she said. UDK lO!9 HKU has outstanding individuals. Ferguson, Leawood senior, is president of the Interfratemity Council and member of Mortar Board and Beta Theta Pi fratemity. Pierson intemed with U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore CD-Kansasj last spring in Washington D.C. She is currently an intem with the office of Gov. Kathleen Sebelius. She has also been involved with Student Senate and is a member of Chi Omega sorority. Pierson and Ferguson each received a S500 scholarship. As winners, they are also required to help the Student Involvement and Leadership Center plan the annual Blueprints Leadership Conference in Febniary that is open to all students. The award is given in lieu of selecting a Homecoming king and queen. The last Homecoming queen was selected in 1969. KL Ha Mem raitllm tinted Alumni tortlllllllll atttlt Sill tdentotgi lhtillll Mitten! 'lntt tthndff Delhiw. N tlilwftivti lenourbig lnlhep ll ' cl t t lo l Page O16 The J ayhawke