Students have fun at last year’s PioneerFest. Photo: Wayne Armstrong
For the second year in a row, the University of Denver has combined Homecoming and the Alumni Symposium into one weekend-long event open to the entire DU community. Homecoming and Family Weekend, running Oct. 24-27, includes soccer and hockey games, a Pioneer Pride festival, faculty-led seminars on various topics, and “Taste of DU,” featuring food from alumni-owned and DU-area restaurants.
Highlights of the weekend are listed below; visit the alumni website for a full schedule of events and to register.
Fan Jam — 6–9 p.m. Oct. 24, Hamilton Gymnasium, Ritchie Center
A high-energy, interactive, engaging event to showcase the Pioneers basketball programs, this is Denver’s version of “midnight madness” to tip-off the season. It features free food and prizes for attendees.
Alumni Symposium — Oct. 25–26, various times and locations
Faculty-led class sessions on topics such as the Ludlow Massacre, the biology of aging, marijuana legalization and microfinance (full schedule here).
Gymnastics Open House — 3–5:30 p.m. Oct. 25, Gates Field House
Meet your Denver gymnastics team and enjoy exhibitions, a question and answer session, refreshments and more.
Denver Women’s Soccer vs. South Dakota State — 6 p.m. Oct. 25, CIBER Field, Ritchie Center
Tickets: $5-$10
Alumni Symposium Dinner and Keynote Address — 6–8:30 p.m. Oct. 25, Ricketson Law Building, Sturm College of Law
Alumni, parents, students and friends are invited to enjoy a reception and dinner including a keynote address by Matt Bond (BSBA ’83), executive vice president of content distribution for NBCUniversal. ($10 per person)
Alumni Symposium Breakfast and University Update with Chancellor Robert Coombe — 8–9:30 a.m. Oct. 26, Ricketson Law Building, Sturm College of Law
Alumni, parents, students and friends are invited to enjoy breakfast and hear a University update from Chancellor Coombe. ($5 per person)
Half the Sky Fair — 11 a.m.–7 p.m. Oct. 26, Colorado Women’s College
This fun-filled event includes an international market, a silent auction and cultural entertainment. Inspired by the Pulitzer Prize-winning book “Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide,” the fair is focused on unleashing the power of women through education.
Alumni Symposium Luncheon and Keynote Address — noon–1:30 p.m. Oct. 26, Ricketson Law Building, Sturm College of Law
Alumni, parents, students and friends are invited to enjoy a luncheon including a keynote address by Ellie Schafer (BA ’90), special assistant to President Barack Obama and director of the White House Visitors Office. ($10 per person)
PioneerFest — 4–6:30 p.m. Oct. 26, various locations
The Festival of Pioneer Pride features spirit activities, the 2013 Homecoming Royalty announcement, games and inflatables for big and small kids alike, a car show, food trucks, Pioneer Pregame and more.
Taste of DU — 5–7 p.m. Oct. 26, Gates Fieldhouse, Ritchie Center
This showcase of alumni-owned and local restaurants and businesses provides guests with unlimited sweet and savory tastings and bottomless beverages. ($15 per person)
Denver Men’s Soccer vs. Eastern Illinois — 7 p.m. Oct. 26, CIBER Field, Ritchie Center
Tickets: $5 general admission, $10 reserved
Denver Pioneers Hockey vs. Canisius Golden Griffins — 7:07 p.m. Oct. 26, Magness Arena, Ritchie Center
Tickets: $19 and $24
Denver Women’s Soccer vs. North Dakota State — noon Oct. 27, CIBER Field, Ritchie Center
Tickets: $5 general admission, $10 reserved
Lamont Alumni Jazz Jam — 1:30 p.m. Oct. 27, Hamilton Recital Hall, Newman Center for the Performing Arts
Lamont alumni, students and faculty members join forces for an afternoon jazz jam session.