When

October 4 - 5, 2024

Where

One University Avenue, Mechanicsburg,
PA 17055

HOMECOMING & Family Weekend 2024 / what's going on

Welcome, we’ve been waiting for you!

Whether you are a current student, recent alum, Golden Grad or honorary member of the Messiah family, we hope that you are excited to reconnect, reminisce and renew your affinity towards Messiah University during Homecoming & Family Weekend 2024!

On Friday, October 4th, we welcome back and specifically honor the Class of 1974 and invite them to attend our Golden Grad Luncheon. On Saturday, October 5th, we welcome back and specifically honor the classes of ’84, ’94, ’99, ’04, ’14 and ’24 and invite them to celebrate their milestone reunions at Reunion Row.

All are invited to enjoy Homecoming events. We brought back the popular 5K and always look forward to our varsity athletic competitions, highlighted by the student Whiteout March.  This year we are also excited to offer NEW events, designed to engage alumni and families, with the added goal of providing fun options for our parents to catch up, cozy up and make new memories with their students. Check out these “New Events” here where you can browse and familiarize yourself with these exciting options.

Register

Early birds who register by September 13th will be entered into a drawing to receive Messiah gear, gift cards and more!

*Early registration helps us to ensure we are ready for your visit. There is no cost to register, but a few activities involve a registration fee. These items, along with a specific cost, will be listed on the registration page. All those who register by Sept. 13th will be placed in our early bird prize drawing. Don’t miss out, register today!

Click to register

Event Schedule / don't forget it

Class of 1974 Reunion

Hostetter Chapel

Aughinbaugh Gallery

Climenhaga Fine Arts Center
Hope Revealed: A celebration of the life and art of Aimee West Cardoso '13
  • September 13th- October 18th
  • The Galleries at Messiah are honored to exhibit the work of alumna, Aimee West Cardoso '13, a beloved alumna who was tragically taken from us just last year.  Aimee was a gifted artist, loyal friend, and most of all a devoted follower of Christ.  Her life has left a bright hope in our hearts, knowing that she now basks in the glory of her Savior.  Even as we mourn her physical absence, we are joyful to celebrate the gift of her life, and the artwork she left us with.  Her final series of paintings helps us ponder anew the glory of our crucified and risen Lord, Jesus Christ.
  • All are invited to attend the art reception on Saturday, October 5 from 4pm- 6pm.

Golden Grad Lunch Check-In

Martin Commons

Golden Grad Luncheon

Martin Commons

Class of 1974 Informal Reunion Gathering

Continuing in Hostetter Chapel following the luncheon

Campus Tour

Optional for Golden Grad guests

Art Faculty Reception, Sean Matthews: History

Glass Gallery, Climenhaga
  • The galleries at Messiah are excited to present the recent work of our very own professor and sculptor, Sean Matthews.  Join us for refreshments and a casual reception with the artist.

Women’s Volleyball vs. Neumann University

Hitchcock Arena

Family Fun Night, Drive-In Movie

Starry Parking
  • For parents and their students. Park, grab your popcorn, sit back and get ready to be entertained. Parents, we invite you to Starry Parking with your student to enjoy the 2024 movie release, "IF" with Ryan Reynolds.  Bring your own lawn chairs and blankets if you choose to sit outside your vehicle. A chair/blanket section for students will be reserved. Concert speakers will project the sound, but you can also tune into the movie through your car radio or transistor radio if you bring one(save the car battery). Concessions will be served- popcorn sales will benefit the Student Activities Board. This fun event is available to the first 75 cars/registrants.  If you register, you will receive an email mid-September to confirm your parking spot.  If you do not respond to that email, your parking spot will be made available to those on the waiting list.  The event is free but a donation of $10 per car is suggested, all funds collected will benefit AROMA-Messiah’s Sports Ministry Program.
  • Arrive at 6:30 p.m. to allow time for parking and concessions. Movie will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Homecoming Check-In & Information

Eisenhower Campus Center

Men’s Club Soccer Alumni Match

Lacrosse Field

5K Fun Run/ Walk

Sollenberger Sports Center, outside the doors under the canopy
  • The 5K Fun Run/ Walk will cover the campus using both paved roads and the Stabler Fitness trail. While the course will be measured, marked, and participants timed, we encourage all interested, young and old, to participate.  At Messiah, we are part of one body with many parts (1 Corinthians 12:27). We also seek to recognize the whole person as well, including one’s body, mind, socio/cultural setting, and spirituality.  As you take part in this race, we hope you find joy in recognizing you are part of a larger family and consider all the elements that make you healthy and unique.
  • Check in at 8:00 a.m.
  • Registration fee is $20.00/ person and includes a t-shirt.  Please indicate how many people in your party are running the 5K by the amount of t-shirts you order.

Aughinbaugh Gallery

Climenhaga Fine Arts Center
  • Hope Revealed: A celebration of the life and art of Aimee West Cardoso '13
  • September 13th- October 18th
  • The Galleries at Messiah are honored to exhibit the work of alumna, Aimee West Cardoso '13, a beloved alumna who was tragically taken from us just last year.  Aimee was a gifted artist, loyal friend, and most of all a devoted follower of Christ.  Her life has left a bright hope in our hearts, knowing that she now basks in the glory of her Savior.  Even as we mourn her physical absence, we are joyful to celebrate the gift of her life, and the artwork she left us with.  Her final series of paintings helps us ponder anew the glory of our crucified and risen Lord, Jesus Christ.
  • All are invited to attend the art reception on Saturday, October 5 from 4pm- 6pm.

Alumni Women’s Field Hockey Pick-up

Anderson Field

40 Years of Nursing Celebration Brunch

Martin Commons
  • We welcome back our nursing alumni to celebrate 40 years of Messiah University’s highly acclaimed nursing program! Join us for a delicious brunch, connect with past faculty, staff, department chairs and friends at this celebratory event. Our time together will include a program honoring our history as well as looking ahead to the future as we kick off a 40th- year Celebration Campaign. This event is by invitation only (RSVP invites will be emailed in the upcoming weeks). Please direct any questions to: Yonette Schneider, M.A. ’16, yschneider@messiah.edu, 717-796-5242

Miniature Golf and Cornhole

Lower Starry Field (behind the softball field)

Pickle Ball

Public Tennis Courts (by the Yellow Breeches)

Alumni Women’s Soccer Pick-up

Practice Fields

Alumni Wrestling Practice

Sollenberger Sports Center, Wrestling Room

Women & Men’s Alumni Tennis Match

Criste Courts

Archives Open House

Murray Library, Lower Level

Oakes Museum Open House & Storytime with Children’s Craft

Jordan Science Center, Oakes Museum
  • Story Time begins at 11:00 a.m.

“Earthkeepers” Nature Walk

Departs from Oakes Museum

Alumni Softball Pick-up

Starry Athletic Fields, Softball Field

Symphony Orchestra Concert & Instrument Petting Zoo

High Center

Alumni Baseball Pick-up

Starry Athletic Fields, Baseball Field

Alumni Men’s Soccer Pick-up

Practice Fields

Powderpuff: Seniors vs. First Years

Upper Baseball Field

Cybersecurity Open House

Frey 145
  • Join us for our Cybersecurity Education Program Open House!  Explore our state-of-the-art Cyber Center and Security Operations Center (the SOC is where student interns monitor and protect our campus network) through guided tours, and meet our talented students to hear about their experiences and projects.  Engage in hands-on demonstrations to see cybersecurity tools and techniques in action.  Learn about our recent CAE designation, a mark of excellence in cybersecurity education.  Additionally, discover best practices for online safety to protect yourself and your family.  This event is an excellent opportunity to experience the forefront of cybersecurity education and innovation.

Alumni Swim Meet

Swimming alumni race against current members of the team in the Natatorium.  Alumni and current members' families are invited to attend a picnic following the event. Questions?  Email Joshua at jclarke@messiah.edu

Collaboratory Open House

Fry- Lower Level

Occupational Therapy Program Gathering

Winding Hill Campus
  • We welcome all past and current students of the Messiah MOT program to stop by Winding Hill for lawn games, socializing, and learning about our community partnerships.

Prospective Student Pizza Reception

Boyer 137, Parmer Cinema – Tours follow reception at 1:00 p.m.

Li’l Falcon Zone

Eisenhower Campus Center; Sawyer Gym

Alumni Men’s Volleyball Match

Hitchcock Arena

Alumni Women’s Lacrosse Pick-up

Lacrosse Turf

Powderpuff: Juniors vs. Sophomores

Upper Baseball Field

Campus Tour- Prospective Students

Departs from Boyer 137, Parmer Cinema

Women’s Field Hockey vs. Montclaire State University

Anderson Field

Alumni Men & Women’s Ultimate Frisbee

Grantham Church, field

Computing, Mathematics & Physics Reunion

Frey 145

Powderpuff: Championship Game

Upper Baseball Field

Alumni Choir Rehearsal

Parmer Hall
  • Do you love to sing?  Join the alumni choir and sing with current students.  No preparation needed, and spouses, children and families welcome.

Reunion Row Reception

Brubaker Auditorium
  • Reunion Row provides an opportunity for ALL ALUMNI, regardless of graduation year, to reconnect with classmates during Homecoming Weekend.  While we are extending an invitation to ALL ALUMNI to join us at Reunion Row, a special gift will be provided to alumni celebrating milestone reunions (classes of '84, '94, '99, '04, '14, '24).  Reunion Row will take place in Brubaker Auditorium with an ice-cream social from 2:00-4:00pm on October 5th.
  • We warmly welcome the Class of 1999 for a special time to join their peers for a time of reminiscing, reconnecting and sharing about the exciting things that have taken place over the past twenty five years!  The 25th Reunion will begin at Reunion Row in Brubaker Auditorium at 2:00 p.m. and continue into a reception at PAWC 310.
  • Note: While registration is not required, it is requested, as it is our goal to provide refreshments for all guests.  This is a drop-in reception with no specific programming.

25th Reunion Reception

Kim Phipps Admissions and Welcome Center 310
  • Class of '99, reconnect with old friends and relive memories from those wonderful days as undergraduates!

Varsity Women’s Soccer vs. Eastern University

Shoemaker Field

Alumni Men’s Lacrosse Pick-up

Lacrosse Turf

Concert Choir & Alumni Reunion Concert

High Center, Parmer Hall
  • Enjoy a refreshing, hour-long choral concert featuring the Concert Choir, Chamber Singers and Alumni Choir.  No tickets required.

Restoration House 25th Year Reunion

The lawn of the Foreman House
  • Join us as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of Messiah's Restoration Houses! If you have lived in the Restoration houses any time in the past 25 years, we welcome you to attend an Open House on the Foreman lawn. We will have a photo opportunity at 5pm and would love to have as many Restoration House alums as possible! Refreshments will be provided. Follow us on LinkedIn or Instagram (Messiah.sustainability) for more information.

Biological Sciences, Chemistry and Biochemistry Reunion Barbecue

Jordan Atrium/ Hollinger Lounge J150/J152

Art Reception & Celebration, Hope Revealed, Aimee West Cardoso ’13

Aughinbaugh Art Gallery, Climenhaga Building
Hope Revealed: A celebration of the life and art of Aimee West Cardoso '13
  • September 13th- October 18th
  • The Galleries at Messiah are honored to exhibit the work of alumna, Aimee West Cardoso '13, a beloved alumna who was tragically taken from us just last year.  Aimee was a gifted artist, loyal friend, and most of all a devoted follower of Christ.  Her life has left a bright hope in our hearts, knowing that she now basks in the glory of her Savior.  Even as we mourn her physical absence, we are joyful to celebrate the gift of her life, and the artwork she left us with.  Her final series of paintings helps us ponder anew the glory of our crucified and risen Lord, Jesus Christ.
  • All are invited to attend the art reception on Saturday, October 5 from 4pm- 6pm.

White-Out March

Hostetter Chapel

Varsity Men’s Soccer vs. Eastern University

Shoemaker Field
  • Student Government Association will be introducing a Homecoming Court at halftime.  Come help us celebrate our student athletes and programs!

Jazz Ensembles Concert

High Center, Parmer Hall

“By the Bog of Cats” – Theater Performance

For tickets, please contact the box office at 717-691-6036 or visit www.messiah.edu/tickets. BY THE BOG OF CATS by Marina Carr "Loosely based on Euripides' tragedy Medea, this is the prophetic tale of Hester Swane, an Irish Traveler, who attempts to come to terms with a lifetime of abandonment in a world where all whom she has loved have discarded her. Set on the bleak, ghostly landscape of the Bog of Cats, this provocative drama discloses one woman's courageous attempts to lay claim to that which is hers, as her world is torn in two. Hester's long-term lover, Carthage Kilbride, with whom she has a seven-year-old daughter, is selling her "down the river" for the promise of land and wealth through a marriage with the local big farmer's daughter. In the final moments of the action, we witness a woman provoked beyond the limits of human endurance. By the Bog of Cats is a furious, uncompromising tale of greed and betrayal, of murder and profound self-sacrifice."--Publisher's description. This play is recommended for mature audiences.

SAB Homecoming Bingo

Brubaker Auditorium
  • Join the Messiah University Student Activities Board for SABingo and refreshments after the Homecoming Men's Soccer Game. Enjoy some time to hang out over some fun and friendly games of Bingo for your chance to win prizes.
  • Audience – parents, students & alumni and their student

Welcome Home

We are so excited to welcome you back to campus for Homecoming & Family Weekend and look forward to reconnecting and reminiscing with you!
One University Avenue,
Mechanicsburg,
PA 17055

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We are so excited to welcome you back to campus for Homecoming & Family Weekend and look forward to reconnecting and reminiscing with you!

Register now / reserve your spot!

Click to register

Contact Us / stay in touch!

One University Avenue
Suite 3023
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055

homecoming@messiah.edu

717.796.5252