Most students probably do not know that former United States representative Brad Ellsworth was homecoming king in 1979 when USI was still an extension of Indiana State University. 

Though the Democrat was defeated by Republican Dan Coats for a seat in the U.S. Senate in November and the school has since become an independent university, his royal win went down in the record books, one of many in USI’s continuing tradition of recognizing student excellence – past and present.

The online polls for homecoming king and queen opened Monday, and this year’s 12 homecoming court members represent the best of USI.

“I love this community and University with all my heart, and it’s a true honor to be named to the court,” said king nominee Dylan Melling, a junior political science student.

In order to qualify for the honor, students must be enrolled in a full course schedule, have successfully completed at least 48 credit hours, maintain at least a 2.5 grade point average and be nominated by a faculty member, said student Stephanie Winay, the head chair of this year’s homecoming committee.

They should also be involved on campus and in the community, Winay said.

Homecoming candidates often create awareness of little-known student groups on campus.

“It’s a good way to get a name out there that maybe people don’t know,” Winay said.

Though community involvement is a critical factor in selection, one cannot underestimate the power of USI pride and spirit, said queen nominee Tiffany Keener, a senior public relations and gender studies student.

A rigorous essay and interview process helped a panel of judges narrow the candidate pool to the final 12.

With just a few days left until Saturday’s coronation, scheduled to occur during halftime of the 3:15 p.m. men’s basketball game versus the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, Keener and Melling agreed that winning the crown was not a huge priority.

“It’s a huge honor, and I will be excited (if I win), but for me it’s just really cool I got on court,” Keener said.

“I’m measuring my time at USI by how many people I’ve impacted and how well I’ve completed the things I do, not by how many titles or awards I’ve held,” Melling said.

Students can vote for homecoming king and queen at www.usi.edu/homecoming until 2 p.m. on Friday.

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2011 Queen Candidates

Sonali Gandhi – Senior,  Biology, from Schererville, Ind.

Jordan Heitman – Senior, Biology, from New Palestine, Ind.

Brooke Icenogle – Senior, Elementary Education, from Greenwood, Ind.

Tiffany Keener – Senior, Advertising and Gender Studies, from Indianapolis, Ind.

Amber Key – Senior, Mathematics and Finance, from Marengo, Ind.

Clare Pratt – Junior, English, from Greensburg, Ind.

2011 King Candidates

Gabriel Grady – Senior, Elementary Education, from Indianapolis, Ind.

David Lanham – Senior, Public Relations and Advertising, from Spencer, Ind.

Dylan Melling – Junior, Political Science, from Frankton, Ind.

Kyle Mitchell – Junior, Sports Management, from Tell City, Ind.

Adam Poulisse -Senior, Radio/Television, from Greenwood, Ind.

Alex Schnautz – Senior, Engineering, from Evansville, Ind.