Whether it is behind the scenes or out front on stage, a mother and daughter from Collinsville are proud to call Southern Illinois University Edwardsville home and invoke their Cougar Pride, especially during SIUE Homecoming Week.
“SIUE Homecoming Week is important because it is tradition, and it is impactful to show the diversity of students representing our Cougars,” said Karlie Lyn Jeffries, a sophomore and the 2019 Campus Activities Board (CAB) Homecoming chair. “My favorite thing about homecoming is tailgate and the game.”
Sharing Jeffries’ excitement in SIUE’s Homecoming events is her mother, Jodie Lyn Clark, who was SIUE Homecoming Queen in 1990.
“Being part of SIUE’s history and representing the University at different events was a source of pride for me,” said Clark, who earned a bachelor’s in business administration in 1990. “My Alpha Phi sorority sisters nominated me to run for homecoming queen.”
Jeffries, who is a nursing major, is also a member of Alpha Phi.
“I’m proud of Karlie,” said Clark, of her youngest of two daughters. “I want Karlie to be a leader and mentor. There are many avenues for her to take to achieve these things and being involved with SIUE homecoming is one of them.”
“As an alumna, I know what opportunities are available at SIUE,” continued Clark. “Opportunities and the school have vastly increased and expanded since I graduated from SIUE. The sky is the limit for a student now.”
“SIUE has made a tremendous impact on us,” offered Clark. “This school has shaped me and is shaping Karlie into the person she wants to be in order to positively impact her world. We can’t thank SIUE enough for that.”
Photos:
Pictured are 2019 Campus Activities Board (CAB) Homecoming Chair Karlie Lyn Jeffries (right) with her mother, 1990 SIUE Homecoming Queen Jodie Lyn Clark.