Join us for Homecoming and Family Weekend, Oct 13-15, 2023

Schedule updated weekly! Registration opens July 1, 2023. 

Weekend 2023 Schedule

Jump to: Friday Saturday SundayReunions TenTalks Fall Fest

= Facebook livestream option. Please email alumni@emu.edu for instructions on how to access these free events. 
* Indicates registration is required.

While registration will not close, late fees will apply to all registrations after 8 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 6.

Friday, October 13

PROSPECTIVE STUDENT VISITATION - New Location!

University Commons 121, Admissions Office

Prospective students and families are welcome to visit - please register beforehand. Hour-long tours are offered throughout the day at 9:05 a.m., 10:35 a.m., 12 p.m. and 2:40 p.m.

COMMON GROUNDS COFFEEHOUSE - New Location!

University Commons 270, Common Grounds, 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. & 8 p.m. - midnight

INFORMATION AND WELCOME CENTER

University Commons 100 (Main Entrance Lobby), 9:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Do you have questions or need help? Stop by our information table. Enjoy coffee and network. Pick up your name badge and other important weekend information. 

JUBILEE ALUMNI PROGRAM AND LUNCHEON* (CLASSES 1950 – 1973)

Seminary Building, Martin Chapel, 11:30 a.m.

Gather with alumni who attended EMU 50 or more years ago and enjoy a program, induction of the class of 1973 and lunch.

CAMPUS TOUR* 

University Commons 100 (Main Entrance Lobby), 1:30 p.m.

See two recently renovated spaces, Suter Science Center and areas in University Commons (new Student Union, Common Grounds and Admissions Office).

ART SHOW OPENING AND RECEPTION - Solace of Silence

Margaret Martin Gehman Gallery, University Commons, 4 - 5 p.m.

Featuring JMU professor Dymphna de Wild. 

For the last four years, I have been creating handbound books as a record keeping of my thoughts. I write, draw, paint and collage in them, while working in silence, listening and breathing. They nourish my imagination and bring me to another world; they have become my survival mechanism. 

DONOR APPRECIATION BANQUET (BY INVITATION ONLY)

University Commons, Yoder Arena Courts B and C, 5:30 p.m. (doors open at 4:50 p.m.)

MUSIC CELEBRATION CONCERT: AN EVENING WITH
MADELINE BENDER*

Lehman Auditorium, 8 p.m.
Adults $10 advanced, $15 at the door, EMU student ID or 12 and under - free

Come for a fun-filled evening of wonderful music-making and merriment. This concert will feature acclaimed soprano Madeline Bender '93 in collaboration with several EMU ensembles. Madeline and company will perform a variety of selections ranging from beloved opera arias and classics of The Great American Songbook, to entertaining musical sketch comedy. This is an evening you will not want to miss!

Saturday, October 14

PROSPECTIVE STUDENT VISITATION - New Location!

University Commons 121, Admissions Office

Prospective students and families are welcome to visit - please register beforehand. Hour-long tours are offered throughout the day at 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

INFORMATION AND WELCOME CENTER

University Commons 100 (Main Entrance Lobby), 7:30 a.m. – noon

Do you have questions or need help? Stop by our information table. Enjoy coffee and network. Pick up your name badge and other important weekend information.

OPENING HOMECOMING CELEBRATION BREAKFAST* 

University Commons, Yoder Arena Courts B & C, 8:30 - 9:50 a.m.

The EMU Jazz Band kicks off our celebration of recognizing Hall of Honor and alumni award winners. Reunite with class members over breakfast with a welcome by President Susan Schultz Huxman.

EMU SWAG SHOP  New!

University Commons 100 (Main entrance lobby), 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

You asked for it! EMU swag available for purchase at the kiosk near the Homecoming Information and Welcome table.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION DIALOGUE

University Commons 201, President's Reception Room, 10-11:15 a.m.

Belonging Together with Alumni and Families: Participatory dialogue with Jackie Font-Guzmán, VP for DEI. Alumni and parents are invited to attend a conversation to promote a deeper community understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion at EMU. The goal is to share some updates, take questions, and receive feedback that helps guide our next steps toward creating a campus where everyone feels they belong.

LIFELONG LEARNING OPTIONS AND PROGRAM GATHERINGS (OPEN TO EVERYONE)*

See locations below, 10- 11:15 a.m.

CHILDCARE AND CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES* 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Childcare (ages 2-4), EMU's Early Learning Center at Park View Mennonite Church, 1600 College Ave.; www emu.edu/education/elc.

Children's activities (ages 5-12), led by the EMU Student Education Association in Campus Center 226.

CLASS of '58 Zoom Reunion

10 a.m. - A Zoom link will be sent to all registrants closer to the date. 

MILESTONE REUNION PROFESSIONAL PHOTOS - Classes of '73 (50 years), '98 (25 years) and '13 (10 years)

Front steps of Lehman Auditorium, 11:30 a.m.

CLASS REUNIONS AND LUNCH*

11:30 a.m. (11:45 a.m. for classes of '73, '98 and '13)

Off campus:

• Class of ‘63 - Cline Community Center, Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community
  1320 Woodland Park, Harrisonburg, VA 22802. Pay at the door. 

EMU Dining Hall, Northlawn:

• Class of ‘68 - West Dining Room, Buffet in Room

Martin Chapel, Seminary Building

• Class of '73 - 50-year reunion 

Reunion lunch gatherings in University Commons Lower Level, Gym (Courts B&C), $17 (vegetarian and gluten-free options available) Join all alumni for a tasty lunch followed by your class reunion at locations still to be determined: 

• Class of ‘78, 45 yr. 
• Class of ‘83, 40 yr. 
• Class of ‘88, 35 yr. 
• Class of ‘93, 30 yr. 
• Class of ‘98, 25 yr. 
• Class of ‘03, 20 yr. 
• Class of ‘08, 15 yr. 
• Class of '13, 10 yr.
• Class of '18,   5 yr. - An off campus evening event is planned. 
• Not your reunion anniversary year? Register for lunch and visit with other Alumni. 

PARENT RECEPTION LUNCHEON*

University Commons, Royal’s Den, 11:30 a.m., complimentary

Join Parent Council for lunch with a welcome by President Susan Schultz Huxman. Parent Council members are available to meet, greet and answer questions.

TAILGATE*

Bring your own food, grill and enjoy a premier spot to watch sporting events! Reserve your space when you register online; invite friends to join you.

FIELD HOCKEY VS. ROANOKE COLLEGE

12 p.m.

AFFINITY GATHERINGS*

1-2 p.m.

• Cords of Distinction Alumni gathering with President Huxman-
  University Commons, President’s Reception Room
  
  
• Common Grounds Alumni Event - New Common Grounds
  Past CG baristas and managers are invited to take a tour of the new shop and stir up some memories by making a free drink.
•  
• Chamber Singers alumni event - Lehman Auditorium
  If you sang with the Chambers Singers (or another chamber group before 1979), let's join our voices together with current and past Chamber Singers! Dr. Benjamin Bergey, director, will lead an exciting jam session.
• Safe Space Gathering - Tent on front lawn in front of Thomas Plaza

  Drop in and hear what's happening at EMU and share what you are up to!

• Women's Volleyball Huddle! - UC 178 Black Box Studio Theater
  Come reconnect with former teammates, meet the coaching staff and share your stories with our current student-athletes. The reception will include desserts, beverages and witty conversation. We'll also have EMU volleyball gear available for purchase to update your game day wardrobe! Following the reception, everyone is invited to come watch a short intrasquad scrimmage in Yoder arena. We hope to see you there! Go Royals!

EMUTENTALKS | IMPACT. INFLUENCE. INSPIRE. 

Science Center 106, 2 p.m.

WOMEN'S SOCCER VS. ROANOKE COLLEGE

2 p.m.

COLOR RUN

Front Lawn Fountain, 2 p.m.

Who's ready to get colorful?! All ages and abilities can walk, run, and jump through clouds of all colors! Bound through billows of blue. Gallop through gusts of green. And make your way through mystical masses of magenta. A single loop of the course is roughly 1 mile, but you can always go twice. Plus, it's FREE for everyone! No registration required. Just lace up those running shoes, rock up in a white shirt, and let the fun commence!

FALL FESTIVAL ACTIVITIES

Front lawn, 3 - 6:30 p.m.

Fun for all ages! Bring blankets and lawn chairs, listen to live music, eat dinner from local food trucks and enjoy the fall setting. Other activities include yard games, inflatables, photo booth and time to mingle. See highlighted activities below.

Li’l Royals’ Zone

Kids will have a blast playing games, sliding down inflatables, getting their faces painted, etc. 

Local food trucks

The Corn Dog Company, Grilled Cheese Mania, Kline's Dairy Bar, Mashita. Will be available for food purchases. 3 - 6:30 p.m.

BSA, LSA and APISA alumni and current students tailgate party

BSA, LSA and APISA alumni, students and parents tailgate party! Join for some good vibes, good food, fellowship and of course bumpin' music! University Commons parking lot. Starts at 1 p.m. Contact Celeste Thomas at celeste.thomas@emu.edu.

Special EMU photo booth

Take pictures with friends at our specially designed photo booth. #EMURoyalHomecoming

Alumni and parent reception tent

Visit our reception tent between 3 - 5 p.m. to chat with alumni and parent council members and enter to win prizes.

Concert - Premiere Band

Front lawn (rain location is University Commons, Yoder Arena), 4 - 6 p.m. 

Sit on the front lawn (bring a chair or blanket) and enjoy the view and concert by Premiere Band, a high-energy variety band based out of Richmond, Va. They play a wide variety of music, including Motown/soul, today's hottest hits, classic rock, country, jazz, and music from the 50s through the 90s. 

MEN'S SOCCER VS. FERRUM COLLEGE

4:30 p.m.

BONFIRE

East of the Turf Field at conclusion men's soccer game

LGBTQ+ ADVISORY BOARD: AN INITIAL CONVERSATION*

University Commons 177 (Previous Common Grounds), 6 - 7:30 p.m.

The EMU DEI and alumni are hoping to convene an advisory board of LGBTQ+ Alum and allies to examine LGBTQ+ issues and to provide guidance for EMU moving forward. If this sounds exciting, join us for a facilitated conversation at the 2023 Homecoming. The Office of DEI will provide refreshments and appetizers. 

 

'18 5-yr. Reunion* 

Sage Bird Ciderworks, 325 N. Liberty St., Downtown Harrisonburg, 6 - 8 p.m.

Class of 2018 will meet at Sage Bird Ciderworks for an evening of catching up, No fee, registration required.

WRITERS READ* 

Main Stage, University Commons 270, 7:30p.m. General seating, registration required.

Conversation with poet Kate Baer '07, 3x New York Times Best-selling Author. Kate Baer is the 3x New York Times bestselling author of What Kind Of Woman, I Hope This Finds You Well, & And Yet. Her work has also been published in The New Yorker, Literary Hub, Huffington Post and The New York Times.

Sunday, October 15

EMU HOMECOMING WORSHIP SERVICE

Lehman Auditorium, 10:30 a.m.

AWARD RECIPIENT LUNCHEON (INVITATION ONLY)

Seminary Building, Martin Chapel, noon

Monday, October 16

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION ANNUAL COUNCIL MEETING 

Campus Center, 301-302, 8 a.m. (breakfast included)