A New Tradition: Homecoming 2014

October 7, 2014

Photography by Kendyle Seay, Alexandra Specht, and Rebecca Jones, GC Undergraduates and Erica Walker, GC Faculty

Written by Maria Hill, GC Graduate Student

Clemson University’s Homecoming is always filled with traditions, both old and new, and each year, this special fall Saturday brings in thousands upon thousands of alumni to their alma mater once more. Homecoming gives former students and families the chance to walk across the beautiful campus they once walked every day to class; to tailgate with old friends; to visit the floats on Bowman and to see their former departments; to cheer on their Tigers and feel the electrifying energy of Death Valley once again. This spirit driven day is a season-defining experience for most Clemson students and alumni—Homecoming 2014 was no exception.

While most of the abovementioned traditions have been happening for years and years now, younger traditions are emerging and beginning to make a name for themselves. Breaking away from the standard of simple, food-and-drink departmental tailgating, Clemson’s Graphic Communications program has taken the idea of new traditions above and beyond. For the second year in a row, Godfrey Hall has opened its doors to students, families, and alumni to get a fun, hands-on visit into the everyday happenings of our print program. The idea started last year when the faculty, and lecturer, Erica Walker, in particular, decided that they wanted to take the Homecoming “tailgate” opportunity to show the community what we’re all about. Last year’s event was a great success, so with a few tweaks and additions, we knew this year’s could be even better.

Upon walking into the front door and atrium of Godfrey, visitors were greeted with a heartfelt welcome and a chance to have their picture taken with a life-size cardboard cutout of the Tiger and Tiger Cub mascots. After this photo-shoot, our guests made their way into the Advanced Lab to see the Comco flexographic printing press in action, printing out small labels designed by our very own undergraduate students. These labels, as well as the four giant banners hung around Godfrey, were part of a contest we held in September to give current students the chance to have their work shown to and admired by the public. Our guests were invited to adorn their Clemson garb with some of these stickers and, of course, take extras to wear later on and share with friends. In addition to the game-themed stickers, visitors were also able to make special GC designed koozies and tiger rags in the Basic Lab to take home. Two screen printing stations were set up so that one at a time, a guest could learn to print their very own textile keepsake (and get to brag about it later when they’re drinking a cold beverage out of their new koozie or waving a one-of-a-kind tiger rag in the air)! The hardest part about this activity, however, was trying to walk away without any ink on your hands or clothes…a feat not managed by many.

While heading away from the Basic Lab with all their newly printed goodies in hand, visitors could stop to check out the videos made by students in our GC3400 class that were projected onto a wall and played on a loop. The videos covered topics from Clemson Athletics, Clemson Admissions, and a variety of Clemson Graphics tutorials made with that special student twist of creativity.

Now before we bid farewell to our guests, we had one more surprise in store for them. Remember the photo-shoot with the mascots at the beginning of this tour? Well, we were able to take those pictures and print each individual one onto a coaster at the sublimation station. On their way out the door, our visitors could pick up their very own personalized coasters with a picture that would forever memorialize their experience in Godfrey Hall on October 25, 2014.

After all of that excitement, with goodies in hand and a smile and wave from Dr. Ingram, our welcomed visitors were on their way once again to seek out more Homecoming adventures. None of this day could have happened without the tireless help from undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, and donors. Thank you one and all for your service and support of ClemsonGC—I mean this when I say that Clemson GC is a fantastic program with TRULY fantastic people involved. This new Homecoming tradition is special and unique, just like our GC family…just like our entire Clemson family. There’s something in these Godfrey halls, and I believe the 2014 Homecoming goers caught a glimpse of that.