Homecoming 2021

Homecoming 2021 - Save the Date

Thursday, October 14, 2021 

Aviation Career Day
6:00 p.m. | UD Aviation Hanger, Airport Road, Dubuque, IA
Kick off Homecoming with students, flight instructors, alumni pilot recruiters, and representatives from Aerial Services Inc., Dane County Regional Airport, Endeavor Air, Envoy Air, Mission Aviation Fellowship, and Sky West Airlines! 

Heritage Society Dinner
6:00 p.m. | John and Alice Butler Hall, Heritage Center
The Heritage Society honors those who have indicated the University of Dubuque will receive a future investment from their estate. An invitation has been mailed to Heritage Society members.

Friday, October 15, 2021 

Homecoming Registration - Spartan Welcome Center 
10:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. | Lobby, Peter and Susan Smith Welcome Center
Check-in and pick up your Homecoming Spirit Pack, which includes your FREE alumni T-shirt. Visit the photo station to take a photo with all of your friends and see who is at Homecoming! Enjoy snacks, fellowship, and an archives display in the Multicultural Student Center.

Virtual Option: Unable to return to campus? Select the shipping option to have your Homecoming Spirit Pack sent to you to celebrate Homecoming wherever you may be!

All Homecoming registrations made by Monday, October 4, 2021, will receive a Homecoming Spirit Pack filled with event supplies, snacks, and UD swag. Late registrations will receive a T-shirt, but we cannot guarantee size availability. 

Chapel Service
11:00 a.m. – 11:20 a.m. | Blades Chapel
VIRTUALLY: Watch online - streamed through Facebook.

Campus Walking Tour
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Auditorium, Room 264, Peter and Susan Smith Welcome Center
Join us for a campus walking tour as we visit popular spots on campus and reminisce about the “good old days at the U” along the way.
Note: Walking tour; a pre-recorded campus tour will be shown in the auditorium for those with mobility concerns.
VIRTUALLY: Watch online - streamed through Facebook and YouTube.

University BBQ Lunch
11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Tent, Grace Street
Enjoy a delicious BBQ lunch with students, faculty, staff, and fellow alumni!

Multicultural Alumni and Student Panel and Social
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Couchman Reading Room, Charles C. Myers Library
Join in to hear an update from James Sizer, director of multicultural student engagement, about the new student center and programming on campus. Engage with fellow alumni and students during a networking panel, then continue the fun and conversation at the University BBQ Lunch!

Homecoming Art Show
12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | Bisignano Art Gallery, Heritage Center
The 2021 Homecoming Art Show will feature personalized portraits by Paul Chase and Vince Williams. Reception will be held from 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
VIRTUALLY: View all artwork featured in the gallery with descriptions and student notes at gallery.dbq.edu.

Sergeant Jeffrey B. Dodge Veterans Center Open House
12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Garden Level, Blades Hall
Visit with students and staff in the Sergeant Jeffrey B. Dodge Veterans Center and learn about UD’s commitment to providing support services for veterans studying on campus.

Sergeant Jeffrey B. Dodge Veterans Center Scholarship Presentation
1:45 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. | Blades Chapel, Blades Hall
The program will begin with an update from Rick Ernst, director of the veterans center, followed by the Sergeant Jeffrey B. Dodge and Staff Sergeant Ronald R. Sagers scholarship presentations.
VIRTUALLY: Watch online - streamed through Facebook and YouTube.

Campus Trolley Tour
2:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. | Auditorium, Room 264, Peter and Susan Smith Welcome Center
Enjoy a ride around campus as you see how the physical look of campus has evolved and expanded over the years.
Note: Seating is limited.

Naming and Open House
3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Judge James L. Martin (C'67) Multicultural Student Center, Room 263, Peter and Susan Smith Welcome Center
Celebrating the Judge James L. Martin (C'67) Multicultural Student Center and the Jim Martin Golf Studio. Remarks at 3:15 p.m. in the Multicultural Student Center, with open houses to follow in both locations. The Jim Martin Golf Studio is located in Stoltz Sports Center, access off of the McCormick Street entrance. 

Alumni Reunion Celebration - Recognizing the Classes of 1960, 1961, 1970, and 1971
5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | Barbara and Jack Smeltzer Dining Hall, Peters Commons
The Classes of 1960, 1961, 1970, and 1971 invite their UD family – ALL SPARTANS – to join them as they celebrate their 60th and 50th Class Reunions! Dinner served by Winifred’s Catering.
VIRTUALLY: Watch online - view the reunion video including photos and memories on Facebook and YouTube.

Campus Dinner
5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | CyberCafé, Heritage Center
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. | CRWC Health Bar, Chlapaty Recreation and Wellness Center
Join fellow alumni, students, and other members of the campus community for dinner to kick off the evening’s festivities

Colin Mochrie's HYPROV with master Hypnotist Asad Mecci
8:00 p.m. | John and Alice Butler Hall, Heritage Center
A mind-blowing, side-splitting show where Master Hypnotist Asad Mecci hypnotizes volunteers on stage, while Colin Mochrie (Whose Line is It Anyway?) does improv scenes with them WHILE THEY ARE STILL UNDER HYPNOSIS. What could possibly go wrong? Special Alumni Ticket Pricing: $19-$37. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Farber Box Office at 563.585.SHOW (7469) or visiting www.dbq.edu/HeritageCenter.
Use code: alum21 (regular fees apply).

Saturday, October 16, 2021 

Homecoming Registration - Spartan Welcome Tent
9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Alumni Tent, Upper Finley Parking Lot

Alumni Volleyball Game
9:00 a.m. | Stoltz Sports Center

John and Alice Butler Pipe Organ Recital
9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. | John and Alice Butler Hall, Heritage Center
Enjoy the breath-taking sounds of UD’s newest musical instrument, the John and Alice Butler Pipe Organ.
VIRTUALLY: Watch online - streamed through Facebook and YouTube.

Wrestling Open Practice
9:30 a.m. | Stoltz Sports Center

Alumni Recognition Brunch and Award Ceremony
9:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. | Brunch Stations | CyberCafé, Heritage Center
11:00 a.m. – Noon | Awards Ceremony | John and Alice Butler Hall, Heritage Center
Join President Bullock as we honor Alumni/ae Achievement Award recipients. This year’s honorees are: Alumnus of Distinction: Robert Nagel (C’51), Award of Merit: Courtney Thompson (C’11), Professional Achievement: Torrance Richardson (C’92), Veterans Award for Distinguished Service: Cpt. Edward L. Hanke (C’65), Volunteer Recognition Award: Keith Parris (C’00), Service to Community: Health Care Providers. Meal featuring made to order brunch favorites!
VIRTUALLY: Watch the ceremony online - streamed through Facebook and YouTube.

Calling all health care providers! The University of Dubuque family wants to recognize your dedication, strength, and courage during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the Awards Ceremony, we will present all UD graduate health care providers with the Service to Community Award. Please share your story and indicate if you wish to participate, on the Health Care Provider Form.

Spartan Volleyball Game vs. UW River Falls
11:00 a.m. | Stoltz Sports Center
VIRTUALLY: Watch online - streamed through UD's sports media site.

Spartan Fest Tailgate
11:30 a.m. – 1:45 p.m. | Upper Finley Parking Lot

It’s a Spartan Festival! Ramp up your Spartan Spirit before the football game and visit with classmates, friends, and the UD community. Bring the whole family for a fun afternoon – enjoy music, inflatable games, a rockwall and other tailgate activities. Get game day ready with a stop at the face painting and tattoo station!

Organizations hosting tailgate tents this year include:

  • Atheneans
  • Black Alumni Association
  • Men’s Basketball Team
  • Mu Sigma Beta
  • Nursing Department
  • Office of Student Activities/Student Activities Board
  • Phi Beta Sigma
  • Physician Assistant Program
  • Residence Hall Association
  • ROTC
  • Student Government Association
  • Women’s Basketball Team
  • Wrestling Team

Interested in hosting a tailgate tent for your organization? Contact the Office of Alumni Engagement at udalumni@dbq.edu.

Enjoy great food by local favorites! Spartan Fest food trucks and vendors this year include:

  • Buenie Bottoms Outdoor Grill
  • Happi Hibachi
  • Koppes Kreations
  • Magoo’s Pizza
  • Sugar Ray’s BBQ
  • That One Place Bean

Spartan Football Game vs. Simpson College
2:00 p.m. | Chalmers Field
Show your Spartan Spirit and wear your favorite Spartan Blue attire for an exciting football game as our Spartans take on the Simpson College Storm. During halftime, join us in congratulating the 2021 Alumni/ae Award recipients. Prior to the game, we will recognize the Veteran Award recipient during the flag raising ceremony.
VIRTUALLY: Watch online - streamed through UD's Sports Media site.

Spartan Nation Send-Off
5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. | Tent, Grace Street
NEW LOCATION!! Spartan Fest continues immediately following the football game for an all alumni reunion! Celebrate a great Homecoming with fellow Spartans while enjoying refreshing beverages and tasty food.

1960s Reunion
7:00 p.m. | Timmerman’s Supper Club, 7777 Timmerman Drive, East Dubuque, Illinois
Calling all 1960s graduates! You are invited to join classmates for a special meal and Spartan fellowship at one of East Dubuque’s most nostalgic restaurants.
Note: Registration required. Seating is limited.

Unable to return to campus for Homecoming 2021? 
Register for your Spartan Spirit Homecoming Box and participate virtually! 

Check-Out the Homecoming 2019 Highlight Video!

Relive past Homecoming moments with these albums: