Though continuing the 100-year tradition of student planned and coordinated homecoming week, activities for 2009 have been upgraded to include a service component.The Student Homecoming Committee, comprised of a student chairperson, sub-committee chairpersons and committee members, is accepting applications until March 13 for homecoming 2009. Applications can be found in one of the two Campus Life Offices in Johnston Hall or the programs office in the Student Union.The homecoming committee provides students with the opportunity to get involved and spread the spirit of the University, said Jacob Brumfield  associate director of Campus Life.”We want to highlight all of the great feelings people have toward this University,” Brumfield said.Last year’s event featured lights under the oaks, a five-kilometer race and a parade, and was the first to implement homecoming on the road, the service-learning component of homecoming 2008.Chelsi Stokes, event coordinator for homecoming on the road in 2008, said she unexpectedly got involved in a leadership role on the homecoming committee.”At first I thought I was just volunteering to help, but then I ended up being over it,” Stokes said. “I didn’t realize how big it would be.”Students went to Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital and St. James Place, a continuing care retirement community where many University alumni reside.The homecoming committee brought Golden Girls, LSU cheerleaders and football players to the children’s hospital and retirement community to bring cheer and the homecoming spirit to them. They also raffled off a football signed by Les Miles and other players, among other prizes, Stokes said.”We knew alot of people loved LSU in the community but couldn’t come so we decided to bring it to them,” Stokes said. “Especially the alumni because things may have changed since they were there.”Though next year’s service component has not been decided, the homecoming committee intends to continue with this addition.—-Contact Alice Womble at [email protected]