Published on Show Me Mizzou Aug. 28, 2026
Every fall, Mizzou Homecoming brings Tigers together through service, tradition and celebration. Events begin Sept. 18 with Tiger Food Fight and culminate Oct. 3 with the parade and football game. Before the festivities begin, MIZZOU magazine caught up with this year’s three Homecoming tri-directors for a quick Q&A.
What’s been the most meaningful part of your Homecoming experience so far?
Megan Mesikapp, Journalism, Chicago: Getting to see the impact on not only university students and faculty, but within the Columbia community, as well!
Blake Ford, Agriculture Systems Technology, Washington, Mo.: The opportunity to give back to the university that has given me
so much is incredibly meaningful. Even more rewarding is seeing the smiles on the faces of families during Homecoming events and witnessing the lasting positive impact Mizzou Homecoming has on both campus and the surrounding community.
Owen Reynolds, Agribusiness Management, Boonville, Mo.: I love the opportunity to work with thousands of students who are proud to make Homecoming happen and give back to our Mizzou community.
What’s your favorite thing about Homecoming?
Mesikapp: The parade! I was on parade committee last year, and prior to being on steering committee I always walked in the parade since freshman year.
Ford: Seeing generations of the Mizzou community coming together to celebrate each other and the university.
Owen Reynolds: Sharing memories and connections with generations of Mizzou Tigers!
If your life had a three-word title, what would it be?
Mesikapp: Little Miss Mizzou
Ford: Homegrown, Missouri made
Reynolds: Know your why
Which class has made you think, “Yeah, this is why I’m here?”
Mesikapp: Reporting 1 with Kellie Stanfield. She is not only my favorite professor, but the work I did for her class produced projects I was most proud of. Plus, she is one of the kindest people you’ll meet.
Ford: Relationship and Professional Selling, taught by Linda Sowers
Reynolds: Economics of Managerial Decision Making
Who’s your dream dinner guest, and what are you serving?
Mesikapp: Megan Moroney and rigatoni pasta
Ford: Shane Gillis and Chili’s Triple Dippers
Reynolds: George Washington and T-bone steak (medium rare only)
What’s something about college that turned out way different than you expected?
Mesikapp: How quickly strangers can become your closest friends!
Ford: The lessons I have learned and the lifelong friendships I have made.
Reynolds: How small the campus becomes when you try new things.
What’s the one show you’d force your friends to watch just so you can talk about it?
Mesikapp: Love Island
Ford: Yellowstone
Reynolds: Ted Lasso
What’s your personal anthem — the one that hits every time?
Mesikapp: “Suddenly I See” by KT Tunstall
Ford: “Backup Plan” by Bailey Zimmerman & Luke Combs
Reynolds: “Life is a Highway” by Rascal Flatts
What’s your ideal way to do absolutely nothing?
Mesikapp: Bed rotting
Ford: Playing video games with my friends
Reynolds: Watching college sports
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