Wittenberg Tigers from all generations will show their pride once again as they journey back to campus for Homecoming & Reunion Weekend 2018, Oct. 4-7.

“Regardless of how long it’s been since you’ve last been on campus – a few months, a few years, or more – stepping foot on campus brings back great memories immediately, making you feel like you’re back ‘home,’” said Allison Scaia ’09, Wittenberg Alumni Board president. “It’s always exciting to see alumni return for Homecoming, relive their Wittenberg experience, and reinvigorate their passion for Wittenberg as they reconnect across campus.”

From the traditional football game to the Class of 1968’s golden reunion, there are plenty of things to do on campus during Homecoming Weekend 2018 beginning with SPARK from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 4, at Post 95 of the Benham-Pence Student Center. The TED-Talk-inspired event features students, faculty/staff, and alumni sharing their experiences and their connection to calling, as well as talking passionately about knowledge they wish to pass on to others. Later that evening the annual bonfire, sponsored by the Union Board, and featuring the music of the George Twins, will take place from 8-10 p.m. on the lawn at the corner of Ward Street and Woodlawn Avenue. The rainsite will be the Student Center’s Geil Lounge. 

Weekend festivities will also include reunions, golf outings, special lunches, guest speakers, the Athletics Hall of Honor dinner, the Legacies and Leadership: A Celebration of Philanthropy brunch, Greek open houses, sporting events, tailgate parties, and much more.

Special alumni panels will take place on Friday, Oct. 5. Invited panelists will share their experiences about their time at Wittenberg and about their life and careers after graduation. A Math Alumni Panel will take place from 4-5 p.m. in room 320 of the Barbara Deer Kuss Science Center and a Political Science Alumni Panel will take place from 4-7 p.m. in room 105 of the Joseph C. Shouvlin Center for Lifelong Learning.

Also on Friday, the annual Athletics Hall of Honor Dinner and Induction Ceremony will take place from 6-8 p.m. along Alumni Way in the Chapel Lawn tent. The ceremony and speeches always prove to be inspirational and humbling as the inductees voice their appreciation about their accomplishments and what it means to be a Wittenberg Tiger. To learn more about the 2018 inductees, click here.

Following the Athletics Hall of Honor event, Live Band Karaoke takes place from 8-11 p.m. at Founders Pub inside the Student Center.

The fun continues on Saturday, Oct. 6, with the Pam Evans Smith Memorial 5K honoring the legendary women’s basketball coach who dedicated numerous years to the athletic department prior to losing her battle with breast cancer. All proceeds from the race will go to an endowed scholarship honoring a senior woman who exemplifies high levels of leadership, good character, integrity, volunteerism, and scholastic achievement.

Select alumni will also be honored this year at the Legacies and Leadership: A Celebration of Philanthropy from 10 a.m. to noon in the tent on Chapel Lawn.  The event will celebrate those who have given generously of their time, talents and treasure to Wittenberg University. To read about this year’s winners, click here.

Also on Saturday, will be a special Open House and Celebration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Susan Hirt Hagen Center for Civic and Urban Engagement. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Community Service Program and the 10th anniversary of the opening of Wittenberg’s Hagen Center.

One of the most popular homecoming events is the Tiger Tailgate, where everyone is welcome to connect with fellow Tigers, meet current Alumni Board members and chapter leaders, enjoy drinks from the Founders Outpost, and stock up on Wittenberg gear. Traditional tailgating will begin at 11 a.m. until the start of the football game at 3:30 p.m. when the Tigers take on Hiram. Tigers can also set up their own tailgate at the Tiger Tailgate on East Campus Drive and in the Synod Hall parking lot. Parking passes are required for groups setting up a tailgate and only 50 parking passes are available.

Additionally, stop by and sample foods prepared by students representing several countries around the globe during the American International Association’s annual Crossroads event in the green space near the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Center (HPER Center). This tasty Wittenberg tradition runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The entire weekend-long celebration ends with a church service of Holy Communion in Weaver Chapel at 11 a.m., Sunday, Oct. 7, with The Rev. Sherman Hicks '68, who has served in numerous roles in former Lutheran Church in America and now the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA), including as executive director of ELCA Multicultural Ministries and bishop of the ELCA Metropolitan Chicago Synod, as well as serving congregations in Washington, DC, New Jersey, and New York.

The Wittenberg Choir will provide music. All reunion classes, visitors, and current students are welcome.

To register for events and for more information about the weekend’s festivities, including tailgate registration, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at (937) 327-7414. To see the complete listing of events, view the schedule.