All Campus Events

VOL Challenge
        In 1991, the All Campus Events Committee created Volunteer Challenge to recognize and continue service as a UT tradition by giving UT student organizations the opportunity to serve with a Knoxville agency for a week-long competition.  It was the hope that agencies would feel a deeper impact of the service in a week-long format instead of “one-shot” or one-time service approach.   Further, Volunteer Challenge is meant to stimulate group development and foster a heightened individual sense of community.
 
Homecoming
        ACE is proud that the great tradition of Homecoming is still one of the strongest traditions at the University of Tennessee. The first Homecoming was held in conjunction with the November 11, 1916, UT-Vanderbilt football game. The first Homecoming parade consisted of the University cadet corps in dress uniform, led by the band. All Campus Events Committee (ACE) sponsors the annual Homecoming activities, which include nine events in which students can become involved. These events range anywhere from a float entry, banner and kickoff, to a 3-on-3 basketball tournament. ACE invites all student organizations to participate in the Homecoming activities. Two years ago, ACE brought back Miss Homecoming, which honors one highly involved and outstanding woman who exhibits the spirit of this great University. Participation in these great events strengthens the spirit of our University and also provides for an enjoyable, unifying experience for student organizations.
 
All-Sing
        Another favorite competition that All Campus Events sponsors is All-Sing.  All-Sing is an event in which student organizations compete against one another in a choral competition.  All student organizations are welcome to participate, and trophies are presented in small, large, mixed, and single divisions.
 
Carnicus
        Another tradition conducted in the springtime is Carnicus. In the early part of this century, UT students celebrated the end of the year's classes with an event called the June Jubilee. It evolved into a carnival with the Glee Club performing, vaudeville shows by the students, and side shows. In 1912, a circus was added with students dressing as elephants, cows and other animals. By 1925, the carnival had become a mid-winter carnival held indoors and the circus an outdoor event held in the spring. In 1929, ACE combined the two activities and George Abernathy, a member of the All Students' Club, coined the word Carnicus. The event ended with the crowning of a Carnicus Queen. As Carnicus evolved over the years, emphasis was placed on the skit competitions, and the parades, dances, and queen crowning were eliminated. Today's Carnicus allows a total of eight groups, single or mixed, from any student organization.