Bucknell to Host First Combined Homecoming & Family Weekend

More than 3,700 alumni and families have pre-registered for Bucknell University's first combined Homecoming & Family Weekend, which will feature activities for both groups from Friday through Sunday, Sept. 22-24.

After benchmarking and researching a combination weekend for many years, University organizers saw advantages to bringing families, alumni and students together during one weekend for the first time.

"A combined weekend provides an incredible opportunity for the entire Bucknell community to network, celebrate traditions and deepen connections with each other and the University," says Tara Michaels, assistant director, large campus weekend events, Center for Alumni & Family Engagement. "This expanded on-campus experience will feature many Bucknell traditions including student performances and shows, affinity gatherings and the Homecoming football game as well as new events that showcase our campus and community."

Many of the weekend events will be held under a tent that can accommodate large crowds. Visitor parking will be available throughout campus and shuttles will be operating during the weekend.

Weekend Highlights

Schedule highlights include the most popular annual Family Weekend and Homecoming events, including a football game with a pregame spirit event, the Christy's A Cappella Concert, the Theatre & Dance first-year student showcase, as well as career and social events. Specific highlights include the following:

Friday, Sept. 22:

• Harvest Dinner, 5 p.m., Tent on Sojka Lawn
• College of Engineering Dinner Celebrating 100 Years of Women in Engineering at Bucknell, 6:30 p.m., Elaine Langone Center, Second Floor, Terrace Room
• Theatre & Dance First-Year Showcase — University: A New Generation, written by Jon Jory and directed by Alice Jackins '25, General Admission: $7, 7:30 p.m., Tustin Studio Theatre

Saturday, Sept. 23:

• Bucknell Civil Rights Project Presentation by Griot Institute for the Study of Black Lives & Cultures intern Michaiah Augustine '23 (a December graduate) as she presents her research for the Bucknell Civil Rights Project, 10:30 a.m., Gallery Theatre, third floor, Elaine Langone Center.
• Center for Access & Success Celebration, 1 p.m., Taylor Hall (Tent on the Lawn). All are invited to attend a toast and dessert reception to celebrate the newly established Center for Access & Success. The event will provide the opportunity to meet Chris Brown, the new Andrew Hartman '71 & Joseph Fama '71 Executive Director of the Center for Access & Success, whose position was made possible by Andrew '71 and Janet Bauer Hartman P'01 and by the Charles T. Bauer Foundation. To help students excel in their academic pursuits, the center will provide a cohesive system of individually tailored mentorship, resources and support during students' four years at Bucknell.
• Christy's A Cappella Concert, featuring the five a cappella groups of Bucknell, 1 p.m., Weis Center for the Performing Arts.
• Bison 100th Birthday Bash & Pregame Spirit Trail, 2 p.m., Freas Lawn. The Bison has been the mascot of Bucknell University for 100 years — this event will celebrate that anniversary and allow alumni and parents to collect Bucknell spirit swag along the Spirit Trail, from the Elaine Langone Center to the Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium.
• Theatre & Dance First-year Showcase — University: A New Generation, written by Jon Jory and directed by Alice Jackins '25, General Admission: $7, two shows, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Tustin Studio Theatre
• The Homecoming football game vs. the University of Pennsylvania, 3:30 p.m., Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium
• We Brake for Nobody anniversary, 8 p.m., Forum, Elaine Langone Center, second floor. Celebrate 25 years of Bucknell's improv troupe We Brake for Nobody.

Sunday, Sept. 24:

• Sunday Farewell Breakfast, 9:30 a.m., Sojka Lawn
• Bucknell Symphonic & Jazz Band Concert, 2:30 p.m., Weis Center for the Performing Arts. The bands will perform a free, public concert titled A Salute to American Jazz, that will feature music from the American Songbook, with additional selections by composers Frank Ticheli and Samuel Hazo.

The entire weekend schedule may be found here.