UMSL: The Homecoming Dance and the Shadow Ball
UMSL's Homecoming Dance
Perhaps one of the most popular and prominent aspects of the social life of students over the sixty years since the University of Missouri-St. Louis's founding has been the dances such as Homecoming and the Shadow Ball. These dances serve as an excellent example of how UMSL has worked to bring together the vibrant community the University boasts today.
Homecoming Queen, Donna Borgmeyer, and Homecoming King, Byron Thornton, 1976
A photograph of the 1976 Homecoming King and Queen, Byron Thornton and Donna Borgmeyer.
Homecoming King, John January, and Queen, Marla Ferguson, 1975
A photograph of the 1975 Homecoming King and Queen, John January and Marla Ferguson.
Homecoming at UMSL from the 60s well into today, included a variety of activities otuside of just the dance and the game. There were also bonfires, the construction of lawn decorations, and parades. For the student body, it seems that it served as a time for artisitic expression and sponsored togetherness as groups united to create sometimes elaborate lawn decorations to celebrate the event.
Homecoming Float 1968-1969
A photograph of an UMSL 1968-1969 Homecoming parade float depicting a structure with multiple cannons.
Homecoming Lawn Display, 1968
A photograph of an UMSL Homecoming lawn display from 1968 depicting characters from the Peanuts comics. A speech bubble states "Happiness is A Steaming Victory".
School of Optometry and The Shadow Ball
The Shadow Ball was a fundraiser celebration held by UMSL's School of Optometry that began in 1987. The black tie dinner dance gala was held on Halloween and served as a masquarade ball of sorts, with many guests wearing decoragted half-masks. The ball was held to honor Arnold B. Grobman for his hand at establishing the School of Optometry at the University. Faculty and students a like were welcome to join in on the festivities. (Source: Reflections 1987 and 1988)
The Shadow Ball From Reflections (Optometry School Yearbook) 1987
A couple of pages from the Optometry School Yearbook titled Reflections. The pages display pictures and information on the first ever Shadow Ball held by UMSL. Printed in 1987.
The Shadow Ball From Reflections (Optometry School Yearbook) 1988
The Shadow Ball from Reflections (Optometry School Yearbook), 1988.