Student Government Encourages Bison Pride

In reoccurring tradition, student government members sold t-shirts for homecoming week in the Memorial Union Monday. This year’s theme is #BisonNation.

Every year a homecoming committee composed of students from various organizations around campus, including campus attractions and Greek life, come together and decide on the theme that will be promoted throughout homecoming week.

Incorporating social media the committee decided to continue encouraging the #BisonNation theme that first began right before the FCS National Championship win in Frisco.

“Talking with students, it was really a catchy slogan and something that everyone could get around,” Jace Beehler, student body vice-president, said. “It incorporates students and faculty at NDSU, its great for community members and it ties in alumni because it resembles the bison family.”

The simple, clean design on the 2012 homecoming shirt resembles an app that can be found on an iPhone, which, according to College of Agriculture student senator Kevin Walsh, has been a popular success amongst students.

“In year’s past the design had a lot going on. I think now with the hashtag thing blowing up recently I think twitter has become huge, especially this last college year and, well I think people like that quite a bit,” Walsh emphasized.

Beehler says #BisonNation is a hope to spread increased pride throughout the campus. He anticipates that a growth will occur from the theme and create a widespread unity in Bison pride.

“The ultimate goal for the #BisonNation theme and homecoming in general is just more Bison pride,” Beehler said. “I think Bison pride and the family culture here at NDSU is something we obviously have a lot of already, but the more we can build that the better experience every student can have on campus, the more connections people can feel on campus and the better they will feel about their education and their time here when they leave.”

Walsh also adds that the #BisonNation theme involves more than just athletics on campus, but that it has a greater significance for students.

“People just like to be proud to be a Bison and I think a lot of people are proud not just from football,” Walsh stated. “To come to college here and not just for athletics, but also to be proud for academics is why #BisonNation is so great. The effect of it will influence other people to understand how important NDSU is to the state of North Dakota, Minnesota and to the nation.“
Homecoming shirts can be purchased at a contact table in the Memorial Union. The cost is $3 and are first come first serve basis.