UCM Welcomes Home Alumni, Supports Community During 2025 Homecoming

 

The University of Central Missouri (UCM) brought Hollywood to Warrensburg as it celebrated 2025 Homecoming, themed “Lights, Camera, Central,” with a weeklong celebration Oct. 20-25.

 

The Homecoming Hub in the Elliott Student Union was busy all day Friday as UCM employees, students, alumni and visitors stopped by for some food, trivia, giveaways and a pop-up shop from the UCM Fashion and Apparel Merchandising program. Friday afternoon also included a recognition of the Library Science program’s 50th anniversary.

 

On Friday evening, the UCM Alumni Foundation presented the annual , which have recognized outstanding UCM graduates since 1978. The 2025 honorees are Adam M. Freeman, ’09, ’10, recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award for Early Achievement; Elizabeth A. Fenner, ’68, ’71, recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award for Service; Diane L. Dudley, ’81, ’23, recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award; and Brian Thomas Smith, ’00, recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award. Click here to read each recipient's bio.

 

Throughout the week, 40 UCM student organizations participated in various events, and more than 50 students took part in the trivia contest. Along with fun competitions like a bowling tournament in the Union, decorating spirit arches, and performing choreographed cheers at the pep rally in the Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center, UCM students also gave back to the Warrensburg community.

 

Students collected more than 2,200 nonperishable food items for the Can Creation competition, in which organizations created Homecoming-themed sculptures using the items. The food was donated to the Campus Cupboard, which supports UCM students, faculty and staff in need. During an afternoon of community service in Warrensburg, 125 volunteers served almost 270 hours. UCM partnered with Care Connection to identify senior citizens who needed help with yard work and prepping their yards for the winter. 

 

The university also hosted its annual Homecoming blood drive in partnership with the Community Blood Center. There were 156 registered donors, including 46 first-time donors. The drive collected 145 units of blood, which equals 435 lives potentially saved.

 

On Saturday morning, community members and UCM fans lined the streets of downtown Warrensburg for the Homecoming parade. The lineup featured UCM Athletics teams, student organizations and academic programs, marching bands, and community organizations and businesses. More than 170 groups registered for the parade. The celebration continued with food trucks, live music, giveaways and kids' activities at Party in the Park at Selmo Park.

The top 10 royalty candidates were introduced during halftime of the game against the Emporia State Hornets at Audrey J. Walton Stadium. Danniel Casey of Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity, Emily Keck of Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority and Hannah Stevens of Sigma Kappa Sorority were named the 2025 royalty winners. Mules Football dropped its Homecoming contest to Emporia State, 31-27.

 

The top 10 royalty candidates included: 

Emma Allen, a senior from Warrensburg, Missouri, majoring in Biology - Pre-Vet and minoring in Chemistry and Business Administration, represented Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority.

Danniel Casey, a senior from Vienna, Missouri, majoring in Business Management, represented Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity.

Trey Countryman, a junior from Shelbina, Missouri, majoring in Aviation - Professional Pilot, represented Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. 

Ethan Crandall, a senior from Center Valley, Pennsylvania, majoring in Communications with an emphasis in Sports Communication and Corporate Communication, represented Delta Chi Fraternity.

Jordyn Dalton, a senior from Independence, Missouri, majoring in Nursing, represented Alpha Phi Sorority.

Andrew Jaeger, a senior from Warrensburg, Missouri, majoring in Marketing, represented Alpha Kappa Lambda Fraternity.

Emily Keck, a junior from St. Louis, Missouri, majoring in Agriculture with an emphasis in Horticulture, represented Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority.

Madison Morgan, a senior from Ozark, Missouri, majoring in Kinesiology - Pre-Athletic Training, represented Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority.

Jenna Speich, a junior from Syracuse, New York, majoring in Airport Management, represented Gamma Phi Beta Sorority.

Hannah Stevens, a junior from Warrenton, Missouri, majoring in Nursing, represented Sigma Kappa Sorority.

Other Homecoming results from the Office of Student Activities include:

Overall Winners

First Place: Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority and Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity

Second Place: Delta Zeta Sorority and Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity

Third Place (tie): Alpha Phi Sorority and Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity

Sigma Kappa Sorority and Alpha Kappa Lambda Fraternity

Spirit Arches

First Place: Delta Zeta Sorority and Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity

Second Place: Design Drafting Student Association/American Institute of Building Design

Third Place: Alpha Phi Sorority and Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity

Bowling Tournament

First Place: Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority and Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity

Second Place: Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority and Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity

Third Place: Delta Zeta Sorority and Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity

Blood Drive

First Place: Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority and Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity

Second Place: Sigma Kappa Sorority and Alpha Kappa Lambda Fraternity

Third Place (tie): Delta Zeta Sorority and Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity

Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority and Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity

Trivia

First Place: Sigma Kappa Sorority and Alpha Kappa Lambda Fraternity

Second Place: Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority and Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity

Third Place: The Muleskinner

Can Creation

First Place: Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority and Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity

Second Place: Association of Black Collegians

Third Place: Sigma Kappa Sorority and Alpha Kappa Lambda Fraternity

Cheer Competition

First Place: Sigma Kappa Sorority and Alpha Kappa Lambda Fraternity

Second Place: Delta Zeta Sorority and Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity

Third Place: Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority and Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity

Parade (Community)

First Place: Rejuvv Luxury Spa WMMC

Second Place: Grandchildren Chronicles

Parade (UCM Affiliates)

First Place: Honors College

Second Place: THRIVE

Third Place: Psychology Club and Psi Chi International Honor Society in Psychology

Parade (UCM Greek Organizations)

First Place: Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority and Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity

Second Place: Alpha Phi Sorority and Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity

Third Place: Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority and Delta Chi Fraternity