Spirited Crowd Enjoys Kean Homecoming

Blue skies and Kean pride filled the air on the University’s main campus in Union, as more than 2,500 alumni, students, families and friends gathered to celebrate Kean Homecoming on Saturday, October 5.

Homecoming had something for everyone—food trucks, carnival games, inflatable attractions like bumper cars and slides, face painting and more. Energetic tailgates sponsored by student organizations and Greek Life groups preceded the Kean Cougar football team's win against William Paterson University.

“It’s always a special day when we welcome our alumni back to campus to celebrate Kean’s spirit with our students and the entire University community,” said President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D. “Homecoming unites us as one Kean family, giving us the opportunity to reflect on our past, enjoy the present and look ahead to an even brighter future.”

Sharrelle Thomas of Newark, a 2014 grad, was dressed in Kean blue, including a Kean sweatshirt and even Kean socks. 

“We’re here to show our Kean spirit and to support the school!” she said.

Krista Awad of Colonia, a 2009 graduate, enjoying the day with her husband and three young daughters, pulled a wagon full of large stuffed animals won at the carnival games. 

“They’re having a blast,” Awad said. “The tickets are free for alumni, which is amazing. Where can I take my family for a free afternoon?”

Many alumni marveled at the University’s transformation since they were students. The new buildings and developments left graduates in awe of how much Kean has evolved over the years.

“My first homecoming was 40 years ago. I still have the T-shirt,” said Ruth Ringler of Livingston, a 1988 graduate. “I love seeing how things have changed.”

Current Kean students also enjoyed the day. A group of Kean cheerleaders walked the event together before they took the field to cheer for the football team. 

“I love it,” said junior J’Meekwa Shaw of Maplewood, a cheerleader and exercise science major. “I’m a transfer student, and at Kean there’s always some type of event going on. The staff is friendly and welcoming, and the campus is beautiful.”

For some, it was their first taste of Homecoming. Tony Maddox, a senior fine arts student from Summit and member of Kean’s esports team, was thrilled to join the celebration.

“This is awesome, seeing all the people here,” he said. “Everybody's happy, joyful and proud to be at Kean.” 

Bianca Nuñez, a 2023 graduate from Millburn getting a master’s in communication studies at Kean, chatted with some older alumni as she ate lunch.

“I like seeing how they still take part in things like this,” she said. “I used to think that once you finish college, you don't do things on campus anymore, but at Kean, they are always inviting alumni to events.”

Alumni Ricardo Ciprian of Union, who earned a master’s degree in 2015, and Synamin Golson of Scotch Plains, a 1995 graduate, spent part of their day serving as judges for the Homecoming tailgate competition. 

“We take this seriously,” Ciprian said. “The students put in a lot of effort.” 

“I like to hear and see what the kids are thinking and doing,” Golson agreed.

Carol Ann Koert, director of alumni engagement, said there was an incredible energy about the day.

“Events like these remind us of how important alumni are to the campus community and how Kean continues to feel like home for so many.”

For some alumni, Homecoming was also about the future. Melissa Cheung of Passaic is a double Kean graduate. She received her bachelor's degree in 2014 and her MPA two years later.

“I wanted to show my friend here what kind of life I had,” she said. “And then I wanted to show her daughter to see if she wants to come to Kean too.”