Homecoming 2019 will be taking place over the weekend of Friday October 4 to Sunday October 6, and attendees can expect a packed schedule with activities to appeal to every member of the Southwestern University community. 

Southwestern University celebrated its first homecoming in the Spring of 1909, so this year’s gathering is a party “110 years in the making.” Homecoming gives all those in attendance the chance to celebrate the incredible legacy of Texas’ oldest liberal arts school. 

On Friday, the Grand Opening of the Debby Ellis Writing Center at 2:30 p.m., and the Dedication of Fondren-Jones Science Center and Floyd and Annetta Jones Plaza Dedication at 4:30 p.m. 

Those who want to learn more about the University’s 179 year history can take part in the “Tales and Traditions Class” in the Prothro Room of the library at 2:00 p.m. All are welcome to enjoy a  student production of The Rocky Horror Picture Show on the Academic Mall at 9 p.m.

The 2019 Roy and Margaret Shilling Lecture at 7:30 p.m. Attendees at this year’s lecture will have the unique opportunity to join President Edward Burger as he moderates a conversation between Donna Brazile, Veteran Democratic Political Strategist, Syndicated Columnist, and Author, and Mary Matalin, Celebrated Conservative Voice and Former Presidential Advisor. Seating in the theater is limited, but additional overflow seating will be available on the Academic Mall for a live broadcast of the lecture. 

As always, attendees of legal drinking age can enjoy a drink at the Biergarten at the Academic Mall starting at 8:30 p.m. on Friday and starting at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday. 

The Women’s Soccer match against the University of Dallas at 5:00 p.m., the Swimming and Diving Intersquad Meet at 6 p.m., and the Men’s Soccer match against University of Dallas at 7:00 p.m. will be the sports events on Friday.

On Saturday, Tailgating will take place at 10:00 a.m. and the Pirate Express will provide shuttle bus service between the campus and the stadium between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. All members of the Southwestern Community are invited to the tailgate to socialize, eat, drink, and celebrate prior to this year’s Homecoming Football Game at 1:00 p.m., in which the Pirates will take on the Sul Ross State Lobos. 

Korouva Milk Bar will host a Coffee Break with LGBTA Alumni Connection Group and Pirates for Pride, the University’s long-standing pride group. All are welcome to take a break from the Homecoming festivities and connect with fellow alumni and students at this unique campus hangout spot. 

Seven different student organizations will be holding open receptions for alumni and parents on Saturday from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. Visit with the members of Alpha Delta Pi, Delta Delta Delta, Kappa Delta Chi, and Zeta Tau Alpha at the Sharon Lord Caskey Center. SEAK will be in the Lois Perkins Chapel Courtyard, Kappa Sigma at the Kappa Sigma House, and Student Foundation at the Wilhelmina Cullen Campus Welcome Center. 

At 5:00 p.m. students and alumni will gather for an exciting new tradition: the Parade of Classes. Alumni celebrating a reunion year and current students will gather respectively in front of the Fondren-Jones Science Center and on the East Campus Plaza, before walking across the grounds of campus to meet at the entrance of the Academic Mall. The Parade of Classes will be followed by the Homecoming Picnic & Biergarten, Reunion Parties, and a Silent Disco.

Attendees interested in the Fine Arts can attend performances of the Wolves at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and 3:00 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are limited. 

On Sunday at 10:00 p.m. a Homecoming Worship Service in the Los Perkins Chapel will feature music from the University Chorale and include a reading of the names of recently deceased alumni and community members.

For Sunday, attendees can choose between brunch in the commons or Drag Me to Brunch: Pirate Addition. This annual fundraiser benefits the students of Pirates for Pride. Enjoy a brunch buffet, mimosas, and drag entertainment by alumni and local performers and celebrate Pirates for Pride with the LGBTA Alumni Connection Group. 

The Women’s Soccer match against Austin College will be at 12:00 p.m. followed by a Men’s Soccer match against the same university at 2:00 p.m. 

The events listed here are only a selection from the weekend’s packed calendar of events. Further details about the schedule, accommodations, special announcements, class reunions, and more can be found at www.southwestern.edu/homecoming.