The homecoming, reunion and family weekend in Wittenberg is an annual tradition and will once again welcome alumni and families to campus from September 30th to October 30th. 2, 2022.
All are invited to participate in the many weekend activities designed to create a festive atmosphere, including a homecoming kickoff event on Friday night, track and field competitions throughout the weekend, live music at the Tiger Tailgate, campus tours, special 50th anniversary recognition .and 60th Anniversary the Classes of 1972 and 1962 and more.
Speaking of the festive atmosphere, get ready for a pep rally. Show some tiger spirit and attend Wittenberg’s Homecoming Kickoff event, an old-school pep rally with a modern twist, from 6-8:30 p.m. at the Pam Evans Smith Arena, part of the Health, Wellness, & Athletics complex. The entire Wittenberg community is invited to participate in this celebratory environment with court game competitions for Tigers of all ages, music by DJ Samurai, family-friendly games, “try out” games hosted by Witt track and field teams, a photo booth, Tiger Pride, performances by the Witt cheerleaders and a special announcement from Wittenberg President Michael L. Frandsen, Ph.D., about the “Having Light” campaign. A cash bar and light snacks will be available during the event.
Before the official start of Homecoming Weekend 2022, two special events will take place on Thursday, September 29th. From 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the Ness Auditorium in Hollenbeck Hall, Wittenberg will celebrate the inaugural recipient of the Richard P. Veler Foundation Prize Chair in English: Cynthia Richards, Professor of English appointed in 2021. The second event is the popular Athletics Hall of Honor Dinner and Induction Ceremony, which will be held at 5:30 p.m. at the Pam Evans Smith Arena
Beginning Friday 30 September, homecoming information and check-in desks for weekend attendees will be available at the Benham-Pence Student Center from 9am to 6pm. Other highlights of the day include meet-and-greets, panel discussions and guided tours. Panel discussions will focus on supply chain, psychology, political science, chemistry, and mathematics and computer science. The Department of Life and Environmental Sciences is hosting a student research poster session from 4:30-5:30 p.m. in the Hobson Atrium of the Barbara Deer Kuss Science Center. Activities include a science-focused campus tour, HWA tours, art, music, and theater tours, and traditional campus tours.
There will also be alumni meetings, receptions, and drop-ins, along with a special celebration of the life and contributions of Dave Mason, beloved Professor Emeritus of Biology at Wittenberg, from 5:30-7:00 p.m. at the Science Center. Rounding out Friday’s events will be field hockey vs. Wooster at 6:00 p.m. at Edwards-Maurer Field and a bonfire at Woodlawn and Ward at 9:00 p.m
Saturday, October 1st is homecoming weekend’s anchor event, the Tiger Tailgate. This year’s Tiger Tailgate will create a festive atmosphere around Hollenbeck Hall and the surrounding area from 10:00 am to the Tigers’ opener against Wabash at 1:00 pm at Edwards-Maurer Field. East Campus Drive will be closed to pedestrian traffic at 10:00 a.m. for tailgate only.
For the Tiger Tailgate, alumni, families and friends are encouraged to experience the sounds of Witt FREE and The Weekend Effect, enjoy libations from Founder’s Outpost, and feast on tasty creations from Raging Bull Wood Fired Pizza and Kleinfelder Hots and Brats Food Trucks. Live music starts at 11am on the stage behind Hollenbeck, and there is no fee for this festival-style event.
Directed by Kenneth Spicer, Wittenberg Class of 2003, The Weekend Effect offers a high-energy, full-sounding performance with a setlist that spans six different decades. A five piece band featuring Alan Frantz on lead vocals and acoustic guitar; Daniel Brosh on drums, percussion and backing vocals; Elliot Hetzer on keyboards, drums and backing vocals; Jason Smith on electric guitar; and Spicer on bass guitar; Formed in late 2018, The Weekend Effect typically plays three to four shows a month in southwest and central Ohio.
An alumni association booth is located at the beginning of the Tiger Tailgate line outside of Hollenbeck, where there are some Witt swags up for grabs. Various organizations from the University of Wittenberg will set up tents to get in touch with the participants in the Tiger Tailgate.
Saturday is packed with events throughout the day including fraternity and sorority home tours, a University Honors Alumni Open House, 60th Brunch, a Student Development Mix & Mingle for Parents and Families, Football Coaches Circle, the crowning glory of homecoming royalty, men’s soccer vs. Denison at 5 p.m. at Edwards-Maurer Field, the Alumni Achievement Awards from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Room 105 at the Joseph C. Shouvlin Center for Lifelong Learning, a Concerned Black Students (CBS) soiree at the Ness Auditorium from 7:30pm followed by three special events at the Founders Pub beginning with Ezra’s Hour from 6:45pm, then trivia and a theater and dance cabaret to round off the day. There will also be a special tour of the night sky with Physics Professor Emeritus Daniel Fleisch, Ph.D. from 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Weaver Observatory.
On Sunday, Wittenberg invites everyone to attend the inauguration ceremony for new Rev. Tracy Paschke-Johannes as Rev. David P. and Carol Matevia Endow Pastor of the University, beginning at 11 a.m. in Weaver Chapel. From 10:30 a.m. there will be pastries in front of the installation. There will also be a field hockey golf scramble on Sunday from 12:30 p.m.
Other weekend celebrations include campus tours, golf outings, special lunches, guest speakers, alumni sporting events, tailgate parties and more, along with student family weekends including Build-A-Tiger, henna tattoos, Battleship, an airbrush artist, a bonfire and more .
Create a unique weekend experience by registering for Homecoming, Reunion & Family Weekend events. Click here for the full schedule or to register for events.
Plan to post your homecoming, reunion and family weekend photos on social media with #WittHomecoming and #TigerUp.
