A Conversation with Hobo Day Grand Pooba Marissa Vogt

When it comes to Hobo Day, a Grand Pooba wears many different hats – and we’re not describing the patched, hodgepodge variety one might see atop Weary Wil and Dirty Lil.

The responsibilities of Grand Pooba include leading interviews for the selection of new committee members, weekly committee meetings, and coordinating with groups and leaders on campus, among countless other duties that arise in the mayhem of the Biggest One-Day Event in the Dakotas.

With a group of just 18 Jackrabbits this year, the Hobo Day Committee and their leader, the Grand Pooba, are tasked with a time-honored challenge once planning commences: selecting a theme for the celebration.

In initial meetings, 2023 Grand Pooba Marissa Vogt noticed one commonality among the new members of the committee: they’d all led diverse and winding paths to SDSU and to the chance to participate in one of the university’s favorite traditions.

Though they all shared a common goal, no two stories were alike.

The committee landed on All Rails Lead Home for a theme, and, for transfer student Marissa, the theme couldn’t be more apt.

A senior business economics major with a minor in entrepreneurial studies, she never expected that she’d find herself at State, let alone on the committee. Once she found her way to SDSU, Marissa leapt out of her comfort zone to pursue the Hobo Day Committee, serving first in 2022. In 2023, she stepped up to take on a role that few Jackrabbits have the honor of holding; it’s been an experience equal parts rewarding and unexpected.

We had the chance to get Marissa’s thoughts on Hobo Day: her decision to dive into a new tradition, what exactly makes serving as Pooba so grand, and how SDSU became her home.

What motivated you to first join the Hobo Day Committee?

"An advisor and professor of mine, Barb Heller, gave me the application. She mentioned that the committee would be good for my leadership skills and to meet new people. I had applied to be on the committee the day after applications closed, but Regen Weiderrich was very gracious as to accept my application and communicate with me to get an interview to possibly be on the committee that same night that I turned in my application.

As for being Grand Pooba the following year, I was feeling very doubtful that the position was something I could do or something that was possible for me. I had a dear friend of mine ask me why I was feeling that way and not believing in myself. She basically told me, ‘You can do this. If you really want to do this, don’t be afraid to try.' I’m very grateful for that friend, because otherwise I wouldn’t be in this position today."

What is your favorite thing about Hobo Day?

"My favorite thing about Hobo Day is the people: all the alumni that I have met, the opportunities that joining the committee offers, and seeing the Jackrabbit pride along the parade route on Hobo Day morning. Truly, the experience and friendships that I have made through the committee are so special to me, as well. I couldn’t imagine not having these people in my life."

This year’s theme is All Rails Lead Home. What does that mean to you?

"When selecting the theme this year, the committee knew we wanted to incorporate 'home' in some way, somehow. With a very new committee this year, we all have different stories on how we ended up at SDSU, let alone on the Hobo Day Committee, so we wanted to capitalize on that and be able to showcase that every student has their own story as to how they ended up at SDSU."

What does it mean to you to serve as Grand Pooba for the 2023 Hobo Day? 

"To me, it means growing in leadership, responsibility, looking up to those on the committee, and so much more. Being a transfer student, I didn’t think that I would be a part of this amazing organization and be a representative of South Dakota State University. I had no idea what Hobo Day was before coming here, and now the passion and love that I have for this university is because of the love I have for Hobo Day and seeing all the work put in to continue a long-standing tradition for SDSU."

What's a tradition that you've added your own spin on, as Grand Pooba?

"One thing that I've wanted since the spring was to have a band at BumFire. To be able to promote “The Smokin Jacks” playing at the event has been exciting. I hope that having live music at the event is something that continues to stick for years to come."

If you carried a bindle like real Hobos, what would be in it?

"I would have a picture of my family, since they’ve given me tremendous support since day one. I’d also want pictures of both of the Hobo Day Committees that I have had the privilege to be on. I would like to carry things that have meaning to me and that have helped shape me into who I am today."

How will serving as the Grand Pooba prepare you for your future career goals?

"Serving as Grand Pooba will help me with my future goals by being able to grow as a leader, lead a team of 18 other individuals, speak publicly in front of a larger audience, be able to problem solve, and to help make sure that everyone has a say in something that they are truly passionate about.

I would like to be a business owner one day, and I believe that this role has helped guide me to be a better manager, a better role model, and a better person in general."

What is your favorite button on your Hobo Day vest?

"This is a tough one, as all of my buttons have meaning to me. I would say my favorite button is the button that my parents had for their high school homecoming. I found it at a flea market in my hometown, and my mom told me that both her and my dad had that button, so I knew I needed to get it."

What has your role as Grand Pooba taught you? 

"It has taught me to lean on others and to problem solve as a team. I have also noticed that I've grown more confident in myself and my abilities to help lead the committee."

As a 1950 editorial in The Collegian once said, “Hobo Day has become the living symbol of South Dakota State.”

A team of undergraduate students pulling off such a spectacular event is no small feat, and the 2023 Hobo Day Committee has the refreshing vantage point of outside eyes, new to the party and eager to be a part of one of SDSU’s most beloved traditions.

As shown by Marissa’s example, a transfer student who joined the celebration halfway through her collegiate career, Hobo Day is truly for everyone.

From current students and faculty to alumni spread far across the globe, it’s an occasion where Jackrabbits of all walks of life gather once more, united as Hobos for just one day and led home to where it all began.