PirateQ 
Why not a Pensacola State College Homecoming? Why did we ever stop?
The College is bringing back some old Pirate swagger with a Homecoming 2023 celebration complete with tailgate parties, sporting events, aerial basketball performers, a White Out Glow Dance Party, a Homecoming Court and the crowning of a Homecoming King and Queen.
It will be the College’s first Homecoming since the early 1970s when the institution was Pensacola Junior College. It became Pensacola State College in 2010.
“It’s the first time in decades, so we’re excited,’’ said Jon Stephenson, Associate Vice President of Student Affairs. “Homecoming can be an impactful event for our students to be engaged with the College and have a voice on campus. It’s to bring a little more school spirit to PSC.”
A highlight of Homecoming 2023 will be the introduction of the Pirate Homecoming Court and the coronation of the king and queen during halftime of the women’s basketball game against Northwest Florida State College on Wednesday, Feb. 22. The Air Elite Dunkers will perform an exhibition during halftime of the men’s game.
The women’s game begins at 5:30 p.m. and the men’s game at 7:30 p.m. in Hartsell Arena. After the men’s game, the lights will go down for a Glow Dance Party in the Hartsell Arena.
Students can apply to be on the Homecoming Court through 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10, at https://www.pensacolastate.edu/homecoming/.
A Homecoming Court Meet and Greet is set for 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 13, in the Delaino Student Center, Building 5, on the Pensacola campus. The event will feature “Speedfriending” where students can learn more about Homecoming Court candidates.
Online voting for 2023 Homecoming King and Queen will be held Monday, Feb. 13, through 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17. To vote, go to https://www.pensacolastate.edu/homecoming/.
“Homecoming has been one of the most successful student events at colleges and universities for many, many years,’’ said PSC President Ed Meadows. “I am so very thankful that our administrative leadership sees the value and need to again provide a week of homecoming activities for the College. I am looking forward to participating with our students, employees and alumni in the many activities planned during the week of homecoming.”
Stephenson said it’s going to be a great week with a lot of activities.
“Students can come out before the game to eat and socialize at the tailgate and then go and support the Pirates,” he added.
There’s no record of why homecoming activities were discontinued, but there is a long tradition of the celebration at the College.
Pensacola Junior College yearbooks from the past show Pirates celebrating Homecoming from the 1950s through 1973. Yearbooks spotlighted PJC homecoming parades complete with ornate floats, treasure hunts across campus and various activities organized by sororities and fraternities.
Patrice Shiver-Whitten was a member of the 1973 PJC Homecoming Court. A well-known member of the PSC family, Whitten serves as a Special Assistant to President Meadows. Previously, she was the PSC Alumni Association executive director and PSC Foundation executive director. The Patrice and Larry Whitten Endowed Scholarship was established in 2021 to honor her late husband.
Whitten fondly recalls her Homecoming Court experiences well.
“We held a Homecoming Parade downtown,’’ she said. “Our SGA, student clubs, athletics, fraternities and sororities all held fundraisers and designed and constructed floats representing popular themes. It was a huge hit with hundreds of participants from the College and community.”
She remembers other Homecoming activities, including an antique car show, a science fair and a dance featuring local rock bands. The homecoming king and queen were crowned at the dance.
“Bringing back a PSC Homecoming might serve as a rallying point for the College,’’ Whitten said, noting she believes a homecoming rebirth may help grow the spirit of the College and connect today’s students to Pirates of the past.
“(Homecoming will) give our alumni an opportuning to reconnect, engage and celebrate education and the full college experience.”
