To some students, homecoming means getting together with close friends, cheering on the Illini, or participating in events such as the homecoming parade. To others, homecoming is a way to connect with the alumni who are returning to campus.

Many students spend four years at the University, creating a second home. Lifelong friends become theoretical family members, and bonds with teachers and professors form an emotional connection to the University.

John Buckley, a University alumnus, graduated in 2011. Since his graduation, Buckley said he’s “been back for homecoming a couple of times” and will be returning this year as well.

Buckley attended the University for his bachelor’s degree in agriculture and consumer economics. He was an active member on campus, especially with homecoming events such as iHelp, a service-oriented program that kicks off homecoming week. He said that homecoming also serves as a time to go back and visit professors and old friends who he has not seen in a while.

“In the time that I was there, it almost felt like I had a second home, especially with friends (who) became closer through the years. It makes me want to go back and visit them and plan trips with them to relive our college days,” he said.

One of the biggest events during homecoming week is the football game, which is why both Michael and Elise Stein, graduates from the class of 2010, have traveled to the University every year since they graduated. Both were members of the Marching Illini, the University’s marching band, during their four years of college.

“(The Marching Illini) definitely felt like a family away from home,” Michael said. “I had the same roommate for four years and the same group of friends.”

Elise shares a similar sentiment.

“I grew up in Champaign, so to me, it basically already is home, but on campus I definitely formed relationships that gave me a sense of family away from my family,” she said.

Michael Wagner, graduate of the class of 1986, said he was in a fraternity when he attended the University, and the best part of homecoming when he was a student was getting the chance to talk to returning alumni.

Wagner said that things have changed since he attended the University. 

“The commercial atmosphere on campus and in Champaign is very different,” he said.

He also said that the overall feeling of campus has also changed, but it is still the campus that he remembers. 

Raymond can be reached at [email protected].