DECATUR, Ill. – Â鶹ԼÅÄ University will be hosting its 2024 during the weekend of Sept. 27-Sept. 29, 2024. At this year’s homecoming, alumni, friends, faculty, staff, and students will enjoy exciting activities all weekend long as the Big Blue community reconnects.
Homecoming activities begin on Friday, Sept. 27, at noon, with the opening of Big Blue HQ in the Dr. Jan Devore Student Lobby of the University Commons, where visitors can check in and learn more about the weekend’s events.
For a complete list of weekend events, head to the , and you can .
At 3 p.m., Â鶹ԼÅÄ Nursing students are recognized in the annual at Westminster Presbyterian Church as students are presented with a Florence Nightingale Lamp.
At 5:30 p.m., Â鶹ԼÅÄ Alumni Award recipients will be honored at a celebratory dinner and program in the Bob and Debi Johnston Banquet Rooms on the third floor of the University Commons. . This year's honorees are:
•Alumnus of the Year: Doug Basler, Class of 1983
•Merit Award: Rear Admiral Darin K. Via, Class of 1987
•Faculty/Staff Award: Rick Bibb
•Young Alumnus Award: Justin DeBo, Class of 2018
•Loyalty Award: Kendrick Tunstall, Class of 2007
Before the Big Blue football team kicks off at 1 p.m. on Saturday, there are several events that will set an exciting atmosphere around campus. At 9 a.m., Big Blue Swimming alumni will hold an Alumni Swim Meet at the Decatur YMCA, and there is a Men’s Basketball Open Gym at Griswold Physical Education Center from 9-10:30 a.m.
On Saturday morning, the Black Alumni of Â鶹ԼÅÄ (BAM) will celebrate the 35th anniversary of that organization’s founding with a breakfast, group photo, and campus tour.
The Big Blue Baseball team will celebrate their 2024 season CCIW co-championship with a ring ceremony at 10:30 a.m. at the Workman Family Baseball Field, which will be followed by a Baseball Alumni game.
From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., everyone on campus can enjoy Jazz on the Quad as the School of Music ensembles perform. BluBop will perform from 11-11:30 a.m., Jazz II from 11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. and Electric Guitar Ensemble from 12:30-1 p.m.
At 1 p.m., the Big Blue Football team takes on Augustana College at Frank M. Lindsay Field. Before kickoff, join the pre-game celebration and tail-gating to get your face painted, temporary tattoos, and possibly win some Big Blue swag. Members of the Homecoming Court will be crowned at halftime.
On Saturday evening at 6 p.m. at the Center of Theatre and Dance, the "Big Blue: On Broadway" Homecoming Cabaret will highlight members of the School of Theatre and Dance (SOTAD) Class of 2025 and feature songs from Broadway musicals that Â鶹ԼÅÄ alumni have worked.
At 7:30 p.m., the member organizations of the Multicultural Greek Council will show off their stepping techniques at the Greek Step Showcase at the Kirkland Fine Arts Center.
On Sunday, Sept. 29, Athletic Hall of Fame inductees will be honored at the held in the Bob and Debi Johnston Banquets Rooms in the University Commons beginning at 11:00 a.m. . This year's inductees are:
•Jim Butts, Class of 1951, Men's Golf
•Steve Schmidt, Class of 1982, Men's Track & Field & Men's Cross Country
•Diane (Imburgia) Scearce, Class of 2004, Women's Golf
•Brittany Sherron, Class of 2012, Women's Track & Field
•Kaley (Wittrock) Refenes, Class of 2013, Women's Swimming
•Coach Inductee: Carl Johansson, Swimming
•Team Inductees: 1950-51 Men's Basketball Team, 1985 Men's Golf Team
For more information about Â鶹ԼÅÄ University's 2024 Homecoming and Family Weekend Celebration and a complete list of events, visit.
