Temple University - Templar Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

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Q joine D at ad Students and Alumni Weigh in on Homecoming Festivities

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There was an electric curiosity rushing through the air as students gathered around the small stage near the Bell Tower on October 18th, 2013. The crowd couldn’t wait to see what kind of event the university was putting on. It wasn’t the first function celebrating Homecoming, but it certainly was the starting point for the most exciting. It was Temple University’s Cherry On 2013 Homecoming Pq) Rally. To start things ofT, the marching band began to play, announcing the arrival of the football team. The crowds cheered as the head coach, Matt Rhulc took time to say a few words, giving a shout out to Temple's new President Neil D. Theoliald. The area around the Bell Tower had Irecn turned into a dance floor with music that echoed through the courtyard playing songs to keep the crowd moving. Despite the mass of people, the courtyard was easily maneuverable. Students were able to bounce from one stall to the next, gathering goodies like pretzels, hot chocolate and com dogs. As six o’clock rolled around, the crowds had died down and the interactive activities that had attracted the most attention, such as painting owl masks, or playing giant sized board games, were easier to indulge in. Ior those students who were willing to spend a little extra time in line, they were rewarded with having their picture taken, which was then made into a free novelty bobble head. Despite the fun, there were some students that felt that the event was a bit immature for the college scene. “I felt like it’s was a little kid-fcJ», like arts aixl crafts and sniff,” said Jasmine Payes. “It was land of fun, but I think they can step it up a little bit.” The next day, those students that were willing got up and left their beds to arrive at Lincoln Financial Field three hours before the game to kick off the Temple tailgating party. “It was definitely the biggest tailgating I liad seen all season and definitely in the last two years here,” said Patrick Dildlo, an accounting graduate to come and cheer their team on to a great victory, but a large congregation of alumni and graduates were there to support thr Cherry and White. It was the after party that really spiced up the homecoming celebrations. The expected homecoming concert featuring B.O.B and Far East Movement had been canceled due to low ticket purchases. With some quick thinking, Temple announced that instead of a concert, the Xfinity Live! entertainment complex wai going to host an after (tarty for all Temple students and graduates Xfinity Live! felt more like a bar mall, with a variety of difl'erem places to celebrate Temple’s victory over Army. Outside there was a stage for live music with a dance floor tliat backed up to a chk stone bar. Inside there were five different venues for eelebratorsu choose from including PBR Bar Grill which was western themed even including a mechanical bull to ride. Danicla Carmona, a junior social work major was enthusiastic about the mix of students and alumni coming out to support the team and enjoy the events. “I love it. This is definitely better than the concert,” said Carmona With a major victory for the football team, and the thrilling aft« party that kept school spirits high all night, the 2013-14 Temph Homecoming certainly ended with a bang. LEIGH WYJO The parking lot was full of Temple pride and lined with bootlis for major organizations giving away free grab bags and hyping up the school spirit. Homecoming games have always been a time for school pride to really shine. This, however, was hard to Ixdievc at this year’s homecoming game as many student scats were left empty. Perhaps they were all still in the | arking lot celebrating. However, that was not to say there wasn’t a mighty roar from the fans that had come out to support their team. Some students might not have bothered

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- . Transitioning from life in Africa to life in Philadelphia for many students, attending school in the dty was a drastic change. Many students come to Temple from the suburbs, whether in Pennsylvania or another state. Living away from home, or even commuting, is a challenge for students, who aie used to the comfort of high school. Although Temple is a large school, it still draws in many students from the surrounding Philadelphia region. I lowever, one pre-mcd biology major came to Temple all the long from Cameroon, a West African country. Sophomore Manucla Tchamou came to Philadelphia after a friend in her hometown applied to Temple and decided to attend. She also has a passionate longing to attend medical school and liked the fact that Temple also had a highly respected medical school. When asking Manucla how and why she chose Temple of all schools, she responded, “I heard about Temple through a friend, who went to the same high school as me.” Her high school friend, Sapliir Rsmail, a junior international business administration major, was born in Philadelphia but grew up in the Congo, where he was raised for the majority of his lifetime until he came back to Philadelphia. Because he was born in Philadelphia, he already knew a great deal about Temple and Philadelphia colleges. He applied to Temple to study International Business Administration and he figured, “What better place than Fox School of Business?” Manucla decided to apply after she heard that Saphir really enjoyed the school and city. She then added, “I looked it up and liked the fact that it was a big school and that they had a medical school and a hospital because I wanted to do pre-med. Among all the schools I applied to, Temple was the least cosdy.” Manucla has lived in the city all of her life, so transitioning to anodicr city was not the hard part of her move. However, the transition was bittersweet, as expected. Ijh- “Coming to Philly was a big change just because I was going to be in a different city and different social environment. I was sad about what I was leaving behind, but 1 was excited about what was to come. What she enjoys the most about Temple is its diversity and great opportunities offered, such as its plentiful amount of organizations on campus. “Temple provides its students with many networking and career-building opportunities.” She enjoys the student lift and many clubs and organizations Temple has to offer. Amongst the other schools Manucla applied to, such as Drcxd University, I-a Salle University, and University of Maryland, she liked Temple the best. Like many students, Manuela decided to get involved on campus through pre-professional groups and social groups.Joining organizations helped make her transition much easier because she acquired new friends and new hobbies. Manucla is an acuvc member of campus, even though she is only a sophomore. Manuela has recently joined a sorority, Delta Phi Epsilon. She is a member of the ISA. the Intemadonal Students Association; Temple University Chemistry Society; and Alpha Iqisilon Delta, a pre-professional student organization catered to those entering the field of healthcare. She has really come to appreciate all the great opportunities Temple has to offer. The transition from high school to college is difficult for most students, but Manuela managed to transition from another continent to attend college. MAURA UEBEKMAS I