The Student Homecoming Committee kicked off Kent State’s Homecoming week with painting the “K” on Risman Plaza Sunday evening.

SHC provided over 50 cans of spray can chalk to paint the inside of the K to make it a shade of blue.

“(Painting the ‘K’ is) to kick off Homecoming week and show that there is spirit on campus,” said Rebecca Kapler, assistant director for the Center of Student Involvement.

Members of the SHC, the 2016 Homecoming Court and other spectating guests grabbed one, even two in some cases, spray cans before transforming the red brick “K” into a very spirited blue “K.” President Beverly Warren even participated in the spraying fun.

“It was a student’s idea, from the (SHC),” Kapler said. “We’re going to paint it blue and get it ready for the week.”

SHC is a new committee formed for the 2016 Homecoming comprised of graduate and undergraduate students working with the university’s administration and Alumni Association to plan Homecoming events.

“Our main goal was to have students see (the K) … and see it on social media, and see it’s associated with Homecoming,” said Hannah Jager, a sophomore communication studies major. Jager is also a member of the SHC.

“(We hope students) will get excited and come to the game and … all the events we have this year, get more of a student involvement with homecoming this year,”she said.

After about 20 minutes, the newly-sprayed “K” was finished. Only a couple cans of spray chalk remained, and the “K” was left a light shade of blue.

“The K makes me feel full of Kent State pride, seeing it in its blue and gold glory,” said Corey Patterson, a senior communications studies major and member of the 2016 Homecoming Court. “I enjoyed getting to spray paint the ‘K’ and hang out with the rest of the people who are really loving Homecoming and all the fun events we have going on.”

Homecoming Week lasts from Sept. 24 to Oct. 1, with the last event being the game against the The University of Akron Zips on Saturday. The Zips and the Flashes will battle for the Wagon Wheel.

“I think we’re going to win, beat Akron and bring back the Wagon Wheel back to it’s rightful home here in Kent,” Patterson said.

Nathaniel Harvey is the activities reporter, contact him at [email protected].