Although last weekend’s Homecoming activities were canceled due to the death of Assistant Football Coach Derek Moore, some events had already taken place, including the election of Homecoming King and Queen. Outstanding students Logan Alumbaugh and Karlie Monroe were elected on Tuesday, Oct. 29.

They were crowned at noon Nov. 1 by Interim President Alan Marble and his wife Lori at a picnic on the Oval. Alumbaugh, Monroe and the rest of the Homecoming Court were slated to be recognized during the Homecoming football game’s halftime activities and parade on Nov. 2, but Moore’s death Friday night led to the events’ cancellation.

“I know it was tragic and sudden and I’m OK with the cancellations completely,” Monroe said.

Both Alumbaugh and Monroe are active on campus and contribute to the Southern community.

Alumbaugh, a senior physical education major, was nominated by the kinesiology club.  

“I thought it was really cool, and Kylie [Cornman] is a really good person, so running with her was an honor,” he said.

He is also involved in student Wellness Awareness Group, is a staff member at the University’s recreation center and the Student Missouri State Teachers Association (SMSTA). He is the son of Ron and Terri Alumbaugh of El Dorado Springs, Mo.  

Monroe, a senior sociology major, was nominated by her sorority, Alpha Sigma Alpha.

“Once they voted me to be the Homecoming candidate I cried because it was great to know that they thought of me as a woman who would represent the sorority well,” she said.

She has served in the U.S. Army Reserve for the last three and a half years and was deployed for a year in Kuwait. She was named the Distinguished Honor Graduate during a Non-Commissioned Officer Development course.

Both candidates said they were surprised to win the title, but were very happy.

“I wish all those guys up there could win,” said Alumbaugh. “I know each one and know they’re all great.” She began attending Southern in fall 2012 and quickly became involved on campus.  Her activities, in addition to her sorority membership, include Alpha Kappa Delta, veteran’s club and sociologyclub.    

Alumbaugh and Monroe both have big plans upon graduation from Southern. He will graduate in May and wants to become a physical education teacher and coach sports. She graduates in December and will pursue graduate studies in the guidance counseling program at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge.