SWOSU Announces 2024 Homecoming Court and Parade Float Winners

The 2024 Homecoming King, Landry Freeman (left), and Homecoming Queen, Carlie McKinnon.

Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) wrapped up this year's Homecoming festivities on Saturday, Oct. 26, where Landry Freeman and Carlie McKinnon were crowned 2024 Homecoming King and Queen. The announcement took place during halftime at the SWOSU vs. Southeastern Oklahoma State University football game.

Freeman, a Biology major from Marlow, Okla., and President of the Student Government Association (SGA), was crowned SWOSU Homecoming King. McKinnon, an Elementary Education major from Elk City, Okla., was crowned Homecoming Queen. Both received support from students, alumni, and community members who gathered to celebrate SWOSU tradition and Bulldog pride. Freeman was sponsored by the Student Government Association, while McKinnon was sponsored by SWOSU Residence Life and Housing.

As part of the selection process, Freeman and McKinnon, along with the other finalists, participated in panel interviews with SWOSU students, faculty, and administrators.

From left to right: Cache Anglin, 2023 Homecoming King; John David Elam; Aubrey Boyd; Landry Freeman, 2024 Homecoming King winner; Carlie McKinnon, 2024 Homecoming Queen winner; Jaxson Billingsley; Bella Butcher; and Jessica Findley, 2023 Homecoming Queen.

"Being crowned has been such an honor! It truly feels surreal, and I feel so grateful and humbled to have been given this opportunity," said McKinnon. "SWOSU has truly been more than just a college; it's been a place of growth, support, and opportunity. This place truly has become my second home!"

Freeman said, "My time spent here at SWOSU has been lifechanging. I am so thankful for the privilege, and I hope I can use it as a means of continuing to leave a lasting legacy of Bulldog Spirit and success at SWOSU."

SWOSU's 2024 Homecoming Parade also brought excitement to our community with creative floats designed to embody this year's theme: "Dawgs Through the Decades." The top float honors were awarded as follows:

• 1stPlace ($1,500): Oklahoma Cinderella Scholarship Program, selected as the unanimous winner.

• 2^nd Place($1,000): Phi Delta Theta, Sigma Phi Lambda, and Zeta Phi "Tri-Phi" Float.

• 3^rd Place ($700): Sigma Sigma Chi & Tau Kappa Epsilon.

McKinnon said, "I'd love to give a special shoutout to my friends and family who have been my biggest supporters throughout my college journey."

"I would like to thank my friends and family for gathering around me in support of my homecoming royalty aspirations, and all other goals I have been able to accomplish at SWOSU," said Freeman.

SWOSU extends its congratulations to the 2024 Homecoming King and Queen and to the float winners for making this year's Homecoming special. The university also thanks all candidates, float participants, and the local community for their continued support of Homecoming.