By: Michael Kurtz | Publish Date: October 28, 2026
On Saturday, October 24, Kean University hosted its annual Homecoming event at the Union campus, bringing together students from across the university to celebrate school spirit, explore Greek life, and cheer on Kean Football as the team faced William Paterson.
For students across Kean’s campuses, Homecoming offers an opportunity to step away from academic responsibilities and participate in a shared university tradition. For members of Delta Phi Epsilon, commonly known as DPhiE, the event also provides a chance to connect with fellow students and showcase the role sororities play in the campus community.
“It’s a really big hangout. First, we have the ‘tailgate’, but since we’re a dry campus, we don’t really tailgate. We have games and different stuff like that, but I consider it more of a carnival,” said DPhiE’s vice president of recruitment Gabby Meracdo. “So if you want to get to know other orgs on campus more, that’s kind of what you do. It’s like a big barbecue before the football game.”
With more than 50 members, DPhiE is one of the largest sororities at Kean. Although the university’s dry-campus policy limits certain traditional tailgating activities, the organization finds other ways to engage with students and encourage participation in campus events.
“For us, if we want sisters to get involved, you have to participate to go to homecoming, because we all put in a group effort,” Mercado said. “But for other people, I feel like they see us having fun, we don’t discriminate against anyone. We’re hanging out, we’re chilling, we talk to so many different people.”
Homecoming also presents an opportunity for students from Kean Jersey City to become more involved in campus traditions. Following Kean University’s merger with New Jersey City University (NJCU) in July, NJCU students became part of the Kean community, opening the door for greater interaction between students at the Union and Jersey City campuses, including those interested in Greek life.
Although NJCU’s Greek life differs from Kean’s, Mercado sees potential for the merger to encourage greater participation and help students discover new organizations.
“Theirs is definitely smaller, and surprisingly, we have more students here that are interested in Greek life than NJCU,” Mercado said. “Some of their organizations weren’t as prominent on campus, and now with the merger, I feel like people are more excited to get to know the Greeks that were over there.”
As students graduate and new members join, organizations such as DPhiE must prepare for leadership transitions and continued growth. Mercado, along with fellow seniors Jenna Ulrich and Gemma O’Farrill, will graduate in May. After years of contributing to the sorority, all three are looking forward to passing on their responsibilities while remaining connected to the organization.
“I’ve been vice president of recruitment for two years, and it’s my bread and butter. And Jenna [Ulrich] has been on my team for two years, so that’s something a little bittersweet to pass the baton,” Mercado said. “I’m also excited because next semester is going to be our last Founder’s Day as active sisters. I’m excited to come back to stuff like Homecoming and Meet the Greeks as an alumni.”
For Ulrich, who has served as DPhiE’s public relations chair and social media manager, graduation also means passing on the responsibilities she has held while reflecting on the impact she has made.
“…I’m excited to see how the next person goes, create a few things, and see how my legacy made a mark. And I’m so excited to come back to see my little family line get extended,” Ulrich said.
O’Farrill shares a similar perspective, viewing graduation as both an opportunity to move forward and a chance to continue supporting the sorority as an alumna. Having recruited approximately 60 members over the past two years, she is particularly excited to see the organization continue to grow.
“I’ve been holding an LT position, so I’m excited to pass that on. Like Gabby said, pass on the baton to someone else. Also, even though I’m not doing the position, I can be a mentor and help the girls out,” O’Farrill said. “I’m excited to come back because of my ‘legacy’. I’ve recruited about 60 girls into our entire organization over the past two years, which is really cool too. So to see that flourish even more is exciting.”
As Kean continues to build on its campus traditions, the experiences of students and organizations can help shape future Homecoming celebrations. Feedback from attendees can offer insight into which activities resonate most with students, what could be improved, and how the university can encourage broader participation across its campuses.
For DPhiE, Homecoming is more than an opportunity to socialize. It allows members to strengthen their connections with the wider university community while reflecting on the organization’s role in campus life. As Mercado, Ulrich, and O’Farrill prepare to graduate, their experiences also highlight the importance of mentorship, leadership, and continuity within student organizations.
Ultimately, Homecoming’s significance extends beyond a single Saturday. Through campus traditions, Greek life, and the connections formed between students, the event reflects how school spirit and student involvement contribute to the Kean University experience.
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