Join Us for 'Homecoming@Home'

Sep 22, 2020

Cal U plans a series of virtual events Oct. 5-11 to celebrate the 71st annual Homecoming.

homecoming

 Cal U alumni across the nation and even around the world are invited to celebrate the University’s 71st Homecoming. 

“Homecoming@Home,” a series of virtual events, will be held Oct. 5-11. It’s a chance to embrace our school spirit while keeping Vulcan Nation safe during the pandemic. 

“Homecoming is one of the oldest and most celebrated traditions at Cal U, and even though we cannot be together, it is important that we keep this tradition alive,” said Melissa Dunn, director of Student Activities and Leadership. 

IFor more information on Homecoming@Home events and activities, visit calu.edu/homecoming.

“Through virtual events and social media, we will connect as a Cal U community to celebrate this Homecoming at home.” 

CUTV will broadcast parades, football games and other alumni features from years past, providing a video backdrop for the at-home celebrations. The Cal U Alumni Association also plans a variety of virtual events. 

Here are some highlights from Cal U’s 71st Homecoming schedule: 

  • Monday, Oct. 5: Take advantage of Cal U's partnership with the Alumni Learning Consortium. Graduates have free access to exclusive personal and professional development and continuing education content. Access content at alumlc.org/calu.
  • Tuesday, Oct. 6: “Visit” Cal U’s beautiful campus with a guided virtual tour on the Alumni Association’s YouTube channel
  • Wednesday, Oct. 7: Join us for Round 2 of Cal U Trivia Night! We'll be hosting this via the Cal U Alumni Association Facebook live at 8 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Check in early for the Kahoot! ID to play for prizes.
  • Thursday, Oct. 8: Even virtual Homecoming celebrations need a parade! CUTV has collected the most memorable moments from Homecoming parades past to stream on its YouTube channel.  “It has been interesting to see the changes in town and on campus over the past 34 years,” said Gary Smith ’98, ’01, director of operations for CUTV and adviser for WCAL and CUTV.  “Fashions have certainly changed. It’s also interesting to see classmates of mine in the parade and then coming back years later with their families.” 
  • Saturday, Oct. 10: Game day! It’s not Homecoming without football, and CUTV is preparing a doubleheader of classics to air on YouTube
  • Sunday, Oct. 11: Registration is now open for the second annual Homecoming 5K Run/Walk – a virtual event this year. Cost is $25 per person; proceeds benefit the Class of 2020 Endowed Scholarship Fund. All registrants receive a 2020 race T-shirt and commemorative 2020 race medal. 

Homecoming in a box

Planning a safer-at-home celebration? The Homecoming@Home box has everything you need to enjoy the day while following CDC guidelines. Cost is $25; proceeds benefit the Cal U Cupboard food pantry, which serves students who are facing food insecurity. 

Delivered by mail, each box contains a variety of Cal U items, including a Homecoming @Home T-shirt, a tailgate menu, kids’ activities, a link to the Cal U Ultimate Party Playlist on Spotify, a Homecoming @Home pennant and a Cal U branded face mask. Order your box  at caluhomecoming2020.itemorder.com/ by Oct. 4. 

Alumni are encouraged to post photos of their Homecoming@Home celebration on social media. Be sure to tag the Alumni Association @calualumni and use #homecomingathome.

“Homecoming will be obviously be a unique experience this year,” said Ryan Barnhart ’08, ’09, ’19, director of Alumni Relations. “We all wish that we could be together on campus, as we have been for decades. But, we are excited to connect with our alumni online, and this may be an opportunity for those who have never been able to come back to campus since they were students here to re-engage with their alma mater. We hope that our lineup of events takes everyone on a great trip down memory lane.”