Written by: Kali Lantefield
On October 25, the University of Arkansas celebrated Calling All Hogs Home for Homecoming 2014. Homecoming is not only full of floats, lawn decorations, and incredible community service, but is full of the rich tradition encompassing the university. A time-honored tradition that has evolved over the past 100 years is the University of Arkansas Homecoming Queen selection process.
Any RSO can nominate a candidate for homecoming court. These nominees then turn in an application with essay questions regarding involvement in the University of Arkansas and what the university means to them, as well as a copy of their resume. After this round, the top 20 is selected. From that point there are two rounds of interviews selecting the top 10, then finally the five women that serve on homecoming court. The panel of judges for these interviews include representatives, both student and faculty, from organizations on campus such as 
Student Alumni Board, the Volunteer Action Center, Associated Student Government, and Razorback Athletics among many others. During the interview process, I had the opportunity to meet Razorbacks from all corners of campus and talk about the impact the University of Arkansas has had on me as well as my love for the campus! The final round determining the 2014 University of Arkansas Homecoming Queen depended on a student vote. Any student enrolled in at least one credit hour was allowed to cast a vote.
The 2014 Homecoming Court Process came with several new improvements, including the announcement of the homecoming court at the 2nd annual Chancellor’s Ball. Another new addition included male court nominations. The nominees for the male homecoming court included a very similar application and interview process. 
As a participant in the process, I can say it was truly one of the highlights of my college career at the University of Arkansas and I am honored and humbled to serve as the University of Arkansas 2014 Homecoming Queen. The tradition and the unity that this university holds are incredibly unique. Through this process, I was given the opportunity to experience a special part of the Razorback community: the students, faculty, and alumni that call this home. This is a community that is dedicated to the success of not only themselves, but more importantly to one another. As the times are changing and evolving, so are the traditions. One thing remains, we will always call the University of Arkansas home.
