Purple pride filled the streets of Manhattan as Kansas State kicked off its annual Homecoming week — a long-standing tradition celebrating Wildcat spirit, community and connection. From the Paint the Ville contest to the highly-anticipated parade and Wildcat Request Live, students, alumni and community members came together to honor K-State’s history and cheer on the Wildcats. This year’s Homecoming theme, K-State State of Mind, added a twist to the festivities.

“Homecoming is a great way to reconnect with the community that you called home for four years … it’s just a really nice way to come together with everyone with a common goal, raising money for Be Able and creating fun art in Aggieville, and just building great morale in the community,” Catie Burr, junior in Kappa Alpha Theta, said.

Homecoming began on Sunday, Oct. 5 with Pant the Chant, a student-organized event where Greek life organizations show school spirit with synchronized chants and stomping. 

“[Pant the Chat] is super special because I think K-State is one of the only universities that does that,” Annie Kapple, junior in Pi Beta Phi, said. “It might seem weird to some people, but I have gotten to be involved for two years now and it is my third year as a junior. I got to coach this year and meet a lot of new friends.” 

Students engage in friendly rivalry against other student organizations throughout the week, randomly paired with other groups to foster community.

Groups are judged by a panel of various alumni and K-State employees at the events. Winners are announced later in the week at the Homecoming parade after combining scores from every event. 

“Tradition is taking part of something that is often important to an individual or an organization, or in our case, a university, time after time just like the people before us did,” Andrea Bryant Gladdin, vice president of alumni engagement, said. “K-State has some wonderful traditions.” 

The Student Homecoming Committee decided on the theme last spring, and it can be interpreted in different ways. Some took it as a play on Manhattan’s nickname, “The Little Apple,” and went with a New York Broadway theme, while others viewed it as a way to make it through difficult times. 

“I think of the K-State State of Mind as a state of mind, pushing forward and pushing through any adversity you might face,” Burr said. “Also looking back at how far you’ve come, recognizing the work you’ve put in and all the accomplishments as well, just seeing what else you can do.”

Homecoming week leads up to the home football game on Saturday, Oct. 11, against Texas Christian University at 2:30 p.m. 

Greek life focuses on the community and competition aspects of the week. 

“I love how Homecoming brings everyone together,” Kapple said. “Whether you’re in a sorority or not — just it honestly brings the community together and gets to see how Greek life is so important here at K-State. I also love how it’s kind of a friendly competition between everyone and how they interpret the theme.”

The Alumni Association plays a significant role in the production of Homecoming, showcasing that it is a vital part of the community, even for non-students. 

“Homecoming is a great opportunity to celebrate the university we all love; it’s a time to bring students, alumni and the community together to celebrate K-State and have fun with one another,” Gladden said. “Some of our best traditions of the year and university are carried out throughout Homecoming week.”

For generations, Homecoming has been viewed as not just a week of events, but a reflection of K-State’s enduring traditions and the community that sustains them. 

Throughout the week, students and alumni alike relive memories while watching the parade and hearing chants echo through Bramlage Coliseum. Long-standing customs are carried on by students, and the campus is transformed into a celebration of everything that defines K-State. Through these traditions, Wildcats are connected across decades, and the depth of purple pride is reaffirmed.

“As current students, you’re a part of a longstanding tradition at K-State,” Gladden said. “This is our 110th Homecoming, so for many years and decades before you, students have been in similar types of activities where they have gotten together with their peers to practice, design and create to come together and compete, so it’s a fun way of being a part of a longstanding tradition.”