Celebrations Planned for IWU Homecoming and Family Weekend
Sept. 27, 2023
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — The Illinois Wesleyan University community can connect with fellow Titans and their families at a variety of events scheduled during the 2023 Homecoming and Family Weekend on Oct. 6-8.
Visitors can continue annual traditions like tailgating before the football game and reconnecting with classmates during alumni reunions, or check out something new like browsing the 1850 Vendor Market or finishing the weekend with a harvest festival.
A full schedule of events and additional details are available at iwu.edu/homecoming .
“We are excited to paint the town Titan green for a weekend full of old and new memories. This truly is a full community affair for all ages,” said Kaylee Mathison, director of alumni engagement.
Recipients of the 2023 Illinois Wesleyan University Alumni Awards will be honored with a ceremony at 6 p.m. on
Friday, Oct. 6 in Young Main Lounge at the Memorial Center. The Distinguished Alumni Award will be presented to Ann R. Stroink '76 of Heyworth; the Loyalty Award will be named to Steve '73 and Deb '74 Wannemacher of Bloomington; and the Robert M. Montgomery Outstanding Young Alumni Award will go to Colleen O’Connor '14 of Bloomington. Matt Riehle '97 of Morton will be named the Distinguished Alumnus for the School of Nursing and Health Sciences during an academic excellence reception at 3:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6 at Hansen Student Center.
Titan pride will be evident during TGOE Fest from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 6 at State Farm Hall’s Commencement Plaza. The event will include activities, student recognition and a pizza taste lineup hosted by the Campus Activities Board, with samples from several Bloomington-Normal pizza restaurants.
On Saturday, Oct. 7, the inaugural 1850 Vendor Market will be set up on the Eckley Quad from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., featuring student entrepreneurs, small businesses, food trucks and local makers selling goods. Activities for families will also take place during this event on the Quad, with free face painting, inflatables and yard games. Titan fans can join the football celebrations with tailgating events from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Shirk Center parking lot before the football game against Washington University begins at 1 p.m. at Tucci Stadium.
The 1850 Vendor Market, family fun on the Quad and the football game are all open to the public.
Several class reunion celebrations and informative panels will be available throughout the weekend, including the Innovators and Entrepreneurs Panel at 1 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 6 at Hansen Student Center. Entrepreneurial leaders from various industries will share lessons learned through their ventures during this panel, as well as how they leveraged their IWU experience to build their companies.
Various musical performances will take place all weekend, including Titan pep band at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 7 on the Eckley Quad. A School of Music alumni recital featuring Barrington L. Coleman '80 will take place at 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7 at Westbrook Auditorium in Presser Hall. The School of Music faculty will also perform a recital at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 8 at Westbrook Auditorium in Presser Hall.
Titans can finish the weekend celebrations with a harvest festival in the IWU Peace Garden at 1212 N. Evans St. from 1-5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8 with apple cider, pumpkin carving and other fall activities.
Attendees are encouraged to stop by Homecoming Headquarters in Hansen Student Center for a map, name tag and list of events upon arrival to campus.
By Julia Perez