An annual cherished tradition, Wittenberg’s Homecoming, Reunion, and Family Weekend will once again welcome alumni and families to campus, Sept. 30-Oct. 2, 2022.
All are invited to participate in the many weekend activities that will provide a festive atmosphere including a Homecoming Kickoff event on Friday evening, athletics competitions throughout the weekend, live music at the Tiger Tailgate, campus tours, special 50th- and 60th-anniversary recognition for the classes of 1972 and 1962, and so much more.
Speaking of a festive atmosphere, get ready for a pep rally. Come show some Tiger spirit and take part in Wittenberg’s Homecoming Kickoff event, an old-school pep rally with a modern-day twist, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Pam Evans Smith Arena, part of the Health, Wellness, & Athletics Complex. The entire Wittenberg community is invited to join in this festive environment featuring yard game competitions for Tigers of any age, music from DJ Samurai, family-friendly games, “try-it” games hosted by Witt athletics teams, a photo booth, Tiger Pride performances from 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.
Prior to the official start of Homecoming Weekend 2022, two special events will take place on Thursday, Sept. 29. From 4:30 to 6 p.m. at Ness Auditorium in Hollenbeck Hall, Wittenberg will celebrate the first holder of the Richard P. Veler Endowed Chair in English: Cynthia Richards, professor of English, who was named in 2021. The second event is the popular Athletics Hall of Honor dinner and induction ceremony, which will take place at the Pam Evans Smith Arena at 5:30 p.m.
Beginning Friday Sept. 30, Homecoming information and check-in tables for weekend participants will be available at the Benham-Pence Student Center from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Other highlights of the day include meet-and-greets, panel discussions, and tours. Panel discussions will center on supply chain, psychology, political science, chemistry, and math and computer science. The Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences will host a student research poster session from 4:30 to 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 theatre tours, along with traditional campus tours.
There will also be alumni gatherings, 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 to 7 p.m. at the Science Center. Rounding out Friday events will be field hockey vs. Wooster at 6 p.m. at Edwards-Maurer Field and a bonfire at Woodlawn and Ward at 9 p.m.
Coming up on Saturday, Oct. 1, will be the Homecoming Weekend anchor event, the Tiger Tailgate. This year’s Tiger Tailgate will provide a festival-style atmosphere around Hollenbeck Hall and surrounding areas from 10 a.m. up until the Tigers take on Wabash at 1 p.m. at Edwards-Maurer Field in their home opener. East Campus Drive will close at 10 a.m. to pedestrian traffic only for the tailgate.
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 savor tasty creations from Raging Bull Wood Fired Pizza and Kleinfelder Hots and Brats food trucks. Live music will begin at the stage behind Hollenbeck at 11 a.m., and there is no fee for this festival-style event.
Led by Kenneth Spicer, Wittenberg class of 2003, The Weekend Effect features a high-energy performance with full sound and a setlist, including songs from six different decades. A five-piece band including Alan Frantz on lead vocals and acoustic guitar; Daniel Brosh on drums, percussion, and backing vocals; Elliot Hetzer on keyboard, percussion, and backing vocals; Jason Smith on electric guitar; and Spicer on bass guitar; The Weekend Effect formed in late 2018 and generally plays three-to-four shows per month across southwest and central Ohio.
An Alumni Association booth will be located at the beginning of Tiger Tailgate row outside Hollenbeck where an enter-to-win some Witt swag will be available. Various Wittenberg University organizations will have tents set up to be ready to connect with participants at the Tiger Tailgate.
Saturday is packed with events all day including fraternity and sorority house tours, a University Honors Alumni Open House, a Sigma Kappa 60th anniversary brunch, the Class of 1972 and 1962 reunion brunches, English Alumni drop-in, Witt in Washington 30th birthday celebration, a Student Development Mix & Mingle for parents and families, Football Coaches Circle, the crowning of the Homecoming royalty, men’s soccer vs. Denison at 5 p.m. at Edwards-Maurer Field, the Alumni Achievement Awards from 6 to 9 p.m. in room 105 of the Joseph C. Shouvlin Center for Lifelong Learning, a Concerned Black Students (CBS) soiree at Ness Auditorium beginning at 7:30 p.m., followed by three special events at Founders Pub beginning with Ezra’s Hour from 6:45 p.m., then trivia and a theatre and dance cabaret to end the day. There will also be a special tour of the night sky with Professor Emeritus of Physics Daniel Fleisch, Ph.D., from 8:30 to 10 p.m. at Weaver Observatory.
On Sunday, Wittenberg invites everyone to join in the celebration of the installation of new pastor, Rev. Tracy Paschke-Johannes as the Rev. David P. and Carol Matevia Endowed Pastor of the University beginning at 11 a.m. at Weaver Chapel. There will be pre-installation pastries beginning at 10:30 a.m. There will also be a field hockey golf scramble beginning at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Other weekend festivities will include campus tours, golf outings, special lunches, guest speakers, alumni sporting events, tailgate parties, and much more along with family weekend student events including Build-A-Tiger, Henna tattoos, Battleship, an airbrush artist, a bonfire, and much more.
Create a unique weekend experience by registering for Homecoming, Reunion & Family Weekend events. For the complete schedule, or to register for events, click here.
Plan to post your Homecoming, Reunion & Family Weekend photos on social media using #WittHomecoming and #TigerUp.
