BYU students flooded the Marriott Center on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024 to kick off Homecoming week with a bang.
President C. Shane Reese welcomed all students back for the 2024-2025 school year and introduced the Homecoming theme for 2024: “By Study and by Faith.”
A video was played during the ceremony with a voice over from an old address delivered by President Spencer W. Kimball in 1975. The address was titled, “The Second Century of Brigham Young University.”
In the video President Kimball talked about how BYU is, must and will be set apart from other universities.
“Your light must have a special glow, for while you will do many things in the programs of this university that are done elsewhere, these same things can and must be done better here than others do them," President Kimball said. "You will also do some special things here that are left undone by other institutions.”
Another historical BYU figure mentioned and spoken about during the opening ceremony was Carl F. Eyring, former dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
Sam Payne, from BYU Radio, said he is always on the lookout for a good story to tell.
“I am always on the lookout for a good story and I found one I want to share,” Payne said.
Payne talked about Eyring's study on reverb, specifically in small rooms, and likened it to how we can make an impact on those around us.
“You have influence beyond yourself. You will study this world and its wonders with all the capacity of your mind and you will strengthen your friends and family,” Payne said.
Alongside these insightful comments during the opening ceremony, BYU students also got to experience fun and energetic performances from a variety of on-campus groups.
The Cougar Marching band kicked off the ceremony with a Beatles cover of "Daytripper" and "Hey Jude."
BYU’s very own cheer squad followed with a dynamic routine, and the BYU ballroom dancers also put on a show.
Partnering with Mutual, dancers told a love story between a boy in a blue tie and a girl in a red dress struggling to find love but making it through in the end.
Students also enjoyed a High School Musical medley including songs such as, "Start of Something New," "Bet On It," "We’re All In This Together" and more, performed by Noteworthy and Vocal Point.
Next up was a fan favorite, the BYU Cougarettes.
“I really liked the Cougarettes, they had cool lights and they're super interesting to watch,” Gloria Morley, a BYU student in attendance, said after the performances.
The ceremony ended with a musical number accompanied by three alumni, including a great great grandson of James E. Talmadge, and aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters of BYU students, because “we can’t do this with them” Payne expressed.
Homecoming week is just getting started! To join in and find more information on upcoming Homecoming events visit the Homecoming page.