By GINNY COOPER/ Staff writer

MONTEVALLO—The University of Montevallo, which has the longest running homecoming tradition of its kind of in the country, is gearing up to celebrate Feb. 4 through Feb. 8.

The festivities will begin with a reception in Reynolds Hall at 4 p.m., and include a lot of exciting activities such as departmental open houses, the annual alumni luncheon, and reunions for class years and special groups.

For current students, however, the highlight of the week is College Night.

Continuous since its commencement in 1919, College Night has redefined homecoming for the small, liberal arts college. Unlike many homecoming celebrations at universities across the nation, this competition is entirely intramural.

The student body divides into two sides, purple and gold. Each side competes in various activities to win points, but the biggest competition is the musical productions that each side must put on complete with original scripts, music, lyrics, costumes, choreography, sets and directions.

Mary Kate McLaurine, a student leader on the purple side, said that the purple group is “extremely confident in the game we’re playing this year.”

It is more than just a competition, McLaurine explained. “The really special thing is that Montevallo’s homecoming tradition is a way to celebrate and showcase who we are,” she said.

The gold side is the reigning champion of the homecoming festivities. Jana Taunton, a student leader on the gold side, said this puts some added pressure on gold team members.

“We’re going on our fourth victor, and its my fourth year at UM,” she said. “There’s a lot at stake.”

Tickets for college night are available at www.montevallo.edu.