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Homecoming & Family Weekend 2025 (October 10-12, 2025)

Welcome to Homecoming and Family Weekend! Whether you're a proud parent, a supportive sibling, or a beloved grandparent, we have a weekend packed with exciting activities and memorable moments designed especially for you. Registration, travel information, and a full schedule can be found here.

Homecoming and Family Weekend is packed with a variety of exciting events and activities that cater to every family member. Here are some of the highlights you don't want to miss: 

Friday, October 10, 2025

10:00 - 11:00 AM - First Gen Panel
Hansen Student Center, Center Court
What’s your first-gen story? Did you know that 30% of the incoming Class of 2029 are First Generation students? IWU F1RST is a growing community of students, alumni, staff, and faculty connected by our shared experience as the first generation in our family to graduate with a four-year degree. Together we provide support and share resources to navigate the college experience. We also maintain the IWU F1RST Fund to ensure access to study abroad, internships, and research.

11:00 AM - 3:00 PM - Nursing Escape Room: Mental Health Nursing
Stevenson Hall
Can you solve the clues and puzzles to escape while maintaining a safe environment for yourself and your patient? Come participate in this interactive nursing escape room. Families and alumni are welcome to join in. We will ensure at least one nursing student is in each group to help as well. Prize to the group with the best time! ! 

12:00 - 5:00 PM - Homecoming Headquarters
Hansen Student Center, Atrium
Description coming soon!

12:30 - 1:30 PM — Innovators & Entrepreneurs in the Arts Panel
Hansen Student Center, Center Court
Listen to innovation and entrepreneurship leaders in the arts share stories and lessons learned through their ventures, as well as how they leveraged their IWU education, experience, and professional networks to build and manage their companies.

3 - 5 PM — Engaged Learning Expo
Memorial Center, Vinyard Room & Henning Room
Across all academic disciplines, IWU Titans make important contributions to the community through research, creative achievements, and service learning. This poster presentation showcases work by our students in the Robert S. and Nell B. Eckley Scholars and Artists Fellowship, the Summer Enrichment Program, the Beckman Scholars in Biology, and the Environmental Studies Summer Experience.  

5 - 7:30 PM — The President's Celebration Banquet 
Memorial Center, Young Main Lounge
All Titan community members are invited to this event to kick off Homecoming and Family Weekend!

6 - 8 PM — Music Bingo
Hansen Student Center, Tommy's
Ready to test your music brain? Like Bingo, you identify songs on a Bingo card. There will be different themes each round that may vary from artists, genres, eras, or just songs!

8:00 - 10:00 PM — Remember the Titans Movie Showing
Edgers Quad
Join us for a special outdoor showing of Remember the Titans on the Quad during Homecoming and Family Weekend! Bring your blankets, lawn chairs, and friends to enjoy this inspiring film under the stars. Popcorn and refreshments will be provided, and the event is free and open to students, families, alumni, and community members. Don’t miss this chance to relax, connect, and celebrate Titan pride together at the heart of campus!

Saturday, October 11, 2025

8:00 - 10:00 AM — Parent & Family Welcome Breakfast
Memorial Center, Sodexo Commons
Description coming soon!

8:00 AM - 1:00 PM - Homecoming Headquarters
Hansen Student Center, Atrium
Description coming soon!

9:00 AM - 11:00 AM - Nursing Escape Room: Mental Health Nursing
Stevenson Hall
Can you solve the clues and puzzles to escape while maintaining a safe environment for yourself and your patient? Come participate in this interactive nursing escape room. Families and alumni are welcome to join in. We will ensure at least one nursing student is in each group to help as well. Prize to the group with the best time! ! 

9:30 AM - 2:30 PM — 1850 Vendor Market
The Quad
The 1850 Market features small businesses, local shops, food trucks, and makers with goods to purchase!

9:30 AM - 2:30 PM — Family Fun on the Quad
The Quad
Enjoy a day of joy and laughter as families gather on Eckley Quad with a wide array of activities including face painters, inflatables, balloon artists and more!

9:30 AM - 12:30 PM — Homecoming Museum
Memorial Center, Nell Eckley Lounge
Learn more about the rich history of Illinois Wesleyan and check out IWU memorabilia, including a program for the University's first Homecoming just acquired this spring.

10 - 11 AM — Titan Pep Band
The Quad
The IWU Titan Pep Band is bringing the beat to the heart of campus with an electrifying performance on the Quad! Join us for upbeat tunes, strong school spirit, and a fun way to connect with friends and enjoy the music! All current and former Titan Pep Band musicians are welcome to join, and we will honor the class of 2015 and 2005 during this performance.

10 - 11 AM — Storytelling at IWU: What Can We Learn About the Media's Future?
Memorial Center, Vinyard Room
IWU has forged a tradition of storytelling excellence, producing successful journalists and communications professionals who developed their skills here on campus. The bedrock of sound communication writing isn't just facts and quotes, but weaving a compelling story that informs, engages, and fosters understanding. Even so, can good truth-telling stories win over audiences suspicious of the media and commercial messaging?  What are the challenges that undermine public trust including media fragmentation and an emphasis on sensationalism to attract attention? How can good storytelling help bridge gaps in perception? Join us for a conversation that's as current as ever featuring three successful communications alums working to answer these questions.

10:00 AM - 10:30AM - Chalk the Walk
Inspiration Plaza
Description coming soon!

11 AM - 1 PM — IWU Brew & Beer Nuts
Hansen Student Center, Tommy’s
Come celebrate with IWU Brew and Beer Nuts before the big game!

11 AM - 1 PM — Titan Tailgates
Shirk Center, Parking Lot
Join alumni, family, and friends to celebrate before the Titans take on Wheaton.

12:00 - 3:00 PM - Peace Garden Harvest Fest
Peace Garden, Off Campus
The Peace Garden will be holding a harvestfest from noon to 3pm on its site at the corner of University Avenue and Evans Street. Activities include apple bobbing, pumpkin carving, and cider making. Alums will also be invited to make their own pizza in our wood fired oven.

1:00 - 2:00 PM - First Five Years
McPherson, Jerome Mirza Theatre 
Alumni in their Fifth year are invited back to share their lived experiences in the "real world". Expected audience: current students. All alumni are welcome, however this event is for current students to engage with these particular 5 yr. Alumni.

1:00 - 3:00 PM - MakerGirl
Memorial Center, Idea Center
The IWU MakerGirl Academy, sponsored by The Petrick Idea Center, is a program led by IWU students aimed at closing the gender gap in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math). In this two-hour workshop, children aged around 7 to 10 will explore the uses of 3D printing, learn CAD design, discover famous women in STEM, collaborate with peers, and ultimately create a personalized 3D print that we will later mail to them. Use !

1 - 3:45 PM — Titan Football vs. Wheaton
Tucci Stadium 
Cheer on your Titans as they host Wheaton!

1 - 3 PM — Women’s Soccer vs. North Park
Neis Field
Cheer on the Women's Soccer team as they take on North Park.

3:30 - 5:30 PM — Men’s Soccer vs. North Park
Neis Field 
Cheer on the Men’s Soccer team as they take on North Park.

6 - 8 PM — Tommy’s Trivia
Memorial Center, Joslin Atrium
Join us for a thrilling night of trivia, hosted by Twin City Trivia, where you can put your knowledge to the test! Gather your family & friends, form a team, and prepare for a fun-filled evening of brain-teasing questions, laughter, and friendly competition.

Sunday, October 12, 2025

9 - 9:45 AM — Interfaith Service
Welcome Center, Alumni Auditorium
Whether you come from a particular faith background or simply seek a space of contemplation and connection, all are welcome to gather and celebrate the diverse tapestry of faiths within our community.

10 - 12 PM — Chapel Service with Collegiate Co-Choir Performance
Evelyn Chapel
Ordained minister and Dean of Students for Inclusion and Advocacy Prince Robertson will lead a campus service with a performance by the University Collegiate Co-Choir. 

11 AM - 12:30 PM — Pride Brunch
Hansen Student Center, Center Court
The Pride Alumni Community (PAC) invites everyone to their annual Homecoming brunch. Come hear about the future of PAC and have an opportunity to connect with your fellow alumni.