Hard work, long hours continues famous tradition

Masses of students, their family and friends and alumni, crowded onto Greek Row on Friday night for Walkaround, one of OSU's most famous homecoming traditions.

The festivities for Walkaround began at 6 p.m. Friday, allowing for the paired sororities and fraternities to showcase their house decorations.

The house decs this year went along with the "Branded for Life" theme.

Rachel Beckman, an interior merchandising senior, said a lot time and effort goes into preparing the house decs.

"The homecoming directors graciously give all of their free time to the entire process of homecoming," said Beckman, a Zeta Tau Alpha member.

Ry Fleming, a liberal studies junior and one of the homecoming directors for Pi Beta Phi/Phi Gamma Delta, said his position was an interesting experience.

"I made sure everything went smoothly, made sure everyone had a good time, kept the pomping room clean, made sure everyone got their hours and helped coordinate with the other directors," he said.

Fleming said his favorite part of homecoming and working on the house dec was seeing all the hard work pay off.

"After all-night pomp in the morning, when everything starts to come together and you kind of step back away from it and look at it, it's the most satisfactory feeling ever," he said.

Homecoming traditions have continued through the years, and many alumni come back every year to relive the experience.

Edmond resident and OSU alumni Kim Barnes played an active role in homecoming when attending school from 1981-84.

Barnes was an active member for the Pi Beta Phi sorority where she served on the Homecoming Steering Committee.

"I love coming back to see friends, the exciting atmosphere, and now I get to share even more events as our daughter is a sophomore at OSU," Barnes said. "The competitive spirit between houses, the endless hours, and the hype are all still a part of homecoming today."