Home is more than a place. It is the people who make you feel seen, the traditions that bring you together, and the moments that remind you that you belong. At OU, those connections are at the heart of what it means to be a Sooner.
From October 26 to 31, OU will celebrate its 111th Homecoming Week, bringing together current students, alumni, future Sooners, and fans. This year’s theme, “Built for the Palace,” reflects a powerful idea: There is a place for everyone in the OU Family.
For Amari Garcia, a senior and Homecoming Week executive chair, that sense of belonging begins with the people who make up the OU community. “Built for the Palace really speaks to the fact that there’s a spot for every student on this campus, regardless of how they got here, and whether they feel like they deserve to be here,” Garcia said. “We want everyone to feel at home, that OU is a home for all.”
Led by the Campus Activities Council, Homecoming is entirely student-run, with a leadership team that spends months preparing a celebration that reflects the many experiences and traditions that make OU special. This year’s theme grew from the team's own stories. Garcia gathered photos of the group's personal Palace moments, highlighting accomplishments, service, and community. Together, those memories reflected the many ways students find their place at OU.
“Built for the Palace means everything that makes up OU,” said Paige Winfrey, Homecoming Week’s day programming lead. “From our traditions to our award-winning teams to the scholars on the South Oval. It’s everything and the people that make up OU.”
Throughout the week, students can express themselves and connect with others through activities such as sidewalk chalking, banner-making, float building, and campus competitions. The Glow Parade, pep rally, and game day festivities bring the broader OU Family together, connecting generations of Sooners through shared memories and school spirit.
For Winfrey, every student contributes to the community that makes OU feel like home. “Every single person on this campus matters; we’re all what builds the Palace,” she said. “We’re all what builds this campus. Everybody belongs here.”
As Homecoming Week builds toward Saturday’s football game against South Carolina, the celebration reminds everyone that being a Sooner means more than cheering for a team or wearing crimson and cream. It means being part of a community shaped by the people who show up for one another, embrace new experiences, and carry traditions forward.
“I really hope people take away that no matter what stage of being a Sooner you’re in, Sooner Magic sticks with you,” Winfrey said. “We’re celebrating every past, present, and future Sooner.”
Homecoming Week may bring the OU Family together for a few days, but the belonging it represents lasts far beyond the festivities. At OU, home is built by the people who make room for one another and share the belief that everyone has a place in the Palace.
To see the full schedule of events, explore the official Homecoming Week programming lineup.
