McKendree University Homecoming and Family Weekend Slated for Oct. 24-26
Lebanon, IL (10/15/2025) — McKendree University will be holding its annual Homecoming and Family Weekend from Oct. 24-26 this year. Alumni, the campus community, and friends are invited to attend and enjoy several exciting events and entertainment. This year's theme is "Let the Good Times Roar," a nod back to the Roaring '20s as the Hett celebrates its 20th season.
Register at www.mckendree.edu/homecoming for any or all of the following activities:
Friday, Oct. 24
McKendree University Alumni Awards Ceremony, 6:30 p.m. Alumni are invited to join their classmates to celebrate the accomplishments of this year's alumni awardees at the Hettenhausen Center for the Arts. The event will include a cocktail hour at 6:30 p.m. with the ceremony following at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 and are available for purchase.
McKendree Alumni Unity Night, 7 p.m. Alumni are invited to reunite at Jazzy 159 in Fairview Heights for an evening of music, memories, and mingling with alumni and friends from the Black Student Organization, BMcK, Phi Beta Sigma, and ELITE.
Men's and Women's Basketball Tip-Off Event, 7 p.m. Alumni, families, supporters, and friends of the McKendree University men's and women's basketball teams are invited to the tip-off event at the Drury Inn in O'Fallon, Ill., along with other festivities throughout Homecoming and Family Weekend.
Saturday, Oct. 25
5K Walk/Run & Kids' Dash, 7 a.m. Alumni and their friends and family are invited to lace up their shoes to start the day with a run around downtown Lebanon and McKendree's campus. Tickets for the 5K are $35; however, students can purchase tickets for $20. Tickets for the Kids' Dash are $15. Runners are also invited to dress up in true flapper fashion to go along with this year's theme.
Craft and Vendor Fair, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. New to Homecoming this year is a special craft and vendor fair, located at the university's fountain circle drive. The fair features handcrafted items, unique finds, and local flair, and is perfect for Bearcats of all ages to peruse.
Alumni Welcome Tent and Tailgating Party, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Alumni and friends are invited to swing by the Alumni Welcome Tent to check in for the weekend and pick up their swag and complimentary ticket. Online RSVPs ahead of time will guarantee that recipients receive this year's swag. Alumni, friends, and children are welcome to enjoy food trucks or Ames Dining Hall for lunch, inflatable fun, pumpkin painting courtesy of Hippie Hillbilly Farm, Bogey tattoos, DJ TKO, and great company in the quad and main parking lot. Multiple affinity groups are hosting tailgates, including: the Alumni Board, Campus Activities Board alumni, Class of 2009, Class of 2010s decade, FEROX, Kappa Alpha Psi, Kappa Sigma Tau, men's and women's basketball, men's volleyball, Pi Lambda Tau (also known as the BSers), the School of Education, Sigma Sigma Sigma, and Spectrum Alliance. To reserve a tailgating space, please visit https://bit.ly/BearcatBoulevard.
Wrestling Alumni Dual and Reunion, 11 a.m. Wrestling alumni and friends are invited out for a day of fun starting at the sports performing and wrestling center for the annual bags tournament and Alumni Dual. A social hour at Creekside Bar & Grill will follow the event..
Homecoming Football Game: McKendree vs. Lincoln University, 1 p.m. Cheer on the Bearcats as they take on the Lincoln University Blue Tigers at the homecoming football game at Leemon Field. Tickets are $10 for adults with discounts for alumni, and children under 5 are free. Tickets may be purchased at the door or at www.mckbearcats.com.
Campus Historical Walking Tour, 2 p.m. Alumni are invited to take part in campus history tours, hosted by Dr. Shelly Lemons and her history students. The tours are complimentary and will begin at the Bearcat statue. Alumni are encouraged to RSVP on the university's website for this activity.
"The Greek Gatsby" All-Greek Alumni Reunion, 4-6 p.m. All fraternity and sorority alumni, including those from FEROX, Kappa Sigma Tau, CLIO, Sigma Sigma Sigma, Sigma Nu, and several other fraternities and sororities, are invited to a reunion at Brick Street Parlor in Lebanon. Reconnect with other Greek brothers and sisters for laughs, toasts, and timeless tales.
Brass Transit in Concert, 7:30 p.m. This top-tier Chicago tribute band is hot and will transport concertgoers to a golden age of sound at the Hettenhausen Center for the Arts. This show is generously sponsored by Lynn Cornell, Gerald Cornell '74, and Sharon Cornell. To purchase tickets, please contact the Hett Box office at (618) 537-6863 or visit www.thehett.com.
Sunday, Oct. 26
Memorial Chapel Service, 10 a.m. McKendree Chaplain the Reverend Dr. Beverly Wilkes-Null will lead alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends in worship. Deceased alumni of the past year will be honored during this service. Trustee the Reverend Sylvester Weatherall '88 will be sharing the message.
Bearcat Brunch, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Finish Homecoming weekend with a flourish by enjoying a delicious Bearcat brunch at Ames Dining Hall, courtesy of the McKendree University Alumni Association. Brunch is $10.
For more information about this year's Homecoming, please contact the Office at Alumni Relations at alumni@mckendree.edu, call (618) 537-6826, or visit the university's homecoming webpage at www.mckendree.edu/homecoming.