Monica Jones, 1993 Homecoming Queen
“. . . I think, you know, when people think of Homecoming, they think it’s one game. But it’s really a celebration of a special time during your life, in your collegiate career, but [also] a time for you to actually return, so if you don’t physically come back for Homecoming, you can come back for other events . . . the most important thing is making sure that you stay connected . . . what you bring to the table matters. . .”
Born in Malvern, Arkansas, Monica Jones was crowned the University of Arkansas’ Homecoming Queen in 1993. While running for Homecoming Court, Jones represented her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta, and several members of her court represented the campus peer counseling group SMILE (Students Making It Lighter Everyday). Listen to some of her memories shared during an oral history interview recorded on August 31, 2019. Click the links below to explore:
Memories of Running for Homecoming Court:
Freezing Weather on the Day of the Crowning:
Gender Politics During the 1993 Crowning:
Advice for Future Homecoming Queens:
Favorite University Traditions - Calling the Hogs and Senior Walk:
Homecoming in More Than One Game, It's a Celebration:
Images courtesy of Monica Jones:
Pregame ride around field in car
Photo courtesy of Monica Jones
Monica Jones and Mrs. McGill (former Homecoming Queen) during 1994 ceremony
Photo courtesy of Monica Jones
Homecoming 1994-Monica Jones and Chancellor Dan Ferritor
Photo courtesy of Monica Jones
Monica Jones, Governor Jim Guy Tucker, and 1992 Homecoming Queen Kimberly Polite
Photo courtesy of Monica Jones
Monica Jones with Xavier Jones (father).
Image courtesy of Monica Jones
Homecoming Feature from the 1992-1993 Razorback Yearbook
David Cox, 2014-2017 Drum Major of the Razorback Marching Band
“[Knowing band history] gives you a newfound respect for the uniform you’re putting on . . . where you stand on the field and the role you play for the university is the same role that people have been playing for over a hundred years . . . There’s a lot of things that are iconic to the University of Arkansas that came from having a marching band.”
From Batesville, Arkansas, David Cox joined the Razorback Marching Band his freshman year at the University of Arkansas. In 2014, as a sophomore, Cox was named one of four drum majors. Cox served as a drum major his sophomore and junior years, and was named head drum major as a senior. Listen to some of his memories shared during an oral history interview recorded on September 20, 2019. Click the links below to explore:
The Band's Role in the Homecoming Court Presentation
Pre-game Traditions (Drum Majors Strut, Hog Call, and Fight Song)
Memories of Homecoming Parade Uniform Mishaps
On Alumni Attendance at the Greek Theater Pep Rallies
On Learning About the Band's Long History
Dad's Advice for Balancing Life in Band
Conducting in the stands at the 2015 Liberty Bowl
Image courtesy of David Cox
Drum Majors lined up and ready to start Pre-Game
Image courtesy of David Cox
Singing ‘Hard to be Humble’ after beating K-State in the Liberty Bowl
Image courtesy of David Cox
David Cox with Drum Majors Scott Lirgg, Austin Cash, and Julianne Clements, as well as Featured Twirler Savannah Miller before the last home game
Image courtesy of David Cox
Image courtesy of David Cox
Image courtesy of David Cox
Image courtesy of David Cox
Image courtesy of David Cox
Image courtesy of David Cox
Image courtesy of David Cox
Homecoming Through Years: Images from Special Collections:
1976 Homecoming Court
Horse drawn float in homecoming parade, circa 1935
Courtesy of Special Collections
Senator J. William Fulbright “crowning” homecoming queen Betty Jo Simmons in 1950 with Bob Wardlow far right
Courtesy of Special Collections
First place homecoming float made by Chi Omega in 1950
Courtesy of Special Collections
Homecoming Queen, Jimmie Lou Anderson, and her court in homecoming parade in 1953 (Homecoming maids Katy Jo Bachelor, Roxanne Carter, Betty Ann Johnson, Peggy Rogers, Charlotte Smith, and Zeda Trull)
Courtesy of Special Collections
International Club in the homecoming parade in the 1960s
Courtesy of Special Collections
1976 Homecoming Court
Courtesy of Special Collections
Homecoming Feature from the 1992-1993 Razorback Yearbook
Courtesy of Special Collections
Homecoming Feature from the 1992-1993 Razorback Yearbook
Courtesy of Special Collections
Homecoming Feature from the 1992-1993 Razorback Yearbook
Courtesy of Special Collections
Homecoming Feature from the 1992-1993 Razorback Yearbook
Courtesy of Special Collections
Interested in sharing your memories for this project?
Design by Virginia Siegel, 2019. Archival photos courtesy of University of Arkansas Libraries Division of Special Collections.
This online exhibit is a collaboration of Arkansas Folk and Traditional Arts and the University of Arkansas Libraries Division of Special Collections.
Arkansas Folk and Traditional Arts Coordinator: Virginia Siegel
University Archivist: Amy Allen
Note for Special Collections Archival Images: This material may depict ethnic, racial, and gender insensitivity that was once commonplace in American society. Such portrayals were wrong then and are wrong today. While not representing the views of the University of Arkansas today, the archival images are being presented as they were originally created because to do otherwise would be the same as claiming these prejudices never existed.
