Aggies of every age, generation, and discipline came together to connect and celebrate the “Greatest Homecoming On Earth” during the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences’ annual GHOE cookout.
Sponsored by BASF, the CAES cookout outside of Webb Hall on Nov. 3, featured live DJ music, a fried-fish barbecue, fresh produce from the student and community garden and a 360 photo booth. It was one of several concurrent events taking place to celebrate the university’s 97th annual Homecoming Week, leading up to N.C. A&T’s football game against Towson University on Nov. 4. Between 40,000 and 60,000 attend GHOE annually, according Spectrum 1 reports.
“It is awesome to have our alumni back visiting with us this weekend,” said CAES Interim Dean Shirley Hymon-Parker. “It’s always a great time for everyone. It’s also a great opportunity for networking. Getting to see alum that are involved in organizations that can help us in the college, help expand our academic and research outreach efforts. Homecoming is just a great time to ‘come back home.’ Come back home, share memories, and network.”
Alums Cathy Hill and Lalit Rainey greet one at the Alumni Cookout.
“The College of Ag Homecoming Cookout is a great way to bring alumni and friends together,” said Associate Dean of Academics Antoine Alston. “We look forward to it every year and look forward to future events to bring everyone together.”
This year’s cookout provided an opportunity for a wide range of Aggie perspectives, ranging from alumni, graduate students and even those experiencing GHOE for the first time.
Will Lashley, graduate research assistant and CAES’ first enrolled Ph.D. student in sustainable agriculture and environmental sciences, said the event felt “very family-oriented”.
“I’m glad to see a lot of the past Aggies come back,” said Lashley. “Especially in agriculture. It’s a big gathering, particularly at this time of year. It’s special to see a lot of people I haven’t in some time.”
Attending her first Homecoming, Isabelle Jones, a freshman in the Department of Animal Sciences, called the experience “a bit overwhelming.”
“It’s a lot of people, but you could probably make a lot of good connections here,” said Jones. “It’s a great opportunity to meet more people to see their experience with the departments on campus.”
Conversely, Lewis Brandon III, a 1961 CAES alum and student organizer during the 1960s sit-in movement, said this event marked his 66th outing for GHOE.
“I’m always happy to be here,” said Brandon. “Happy to see old friends, old colleagues. I worked on campus a lot in the early 60s and 70s, so I’ve been around. I live for Homecoming.”
