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Homecoming

Gather. Celebrate. Reconnect. #SpartansForLife

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Join us for Homecoming & Family Weekend

October 16-17, 2026

Celebrate your Manchester spirit at Homecoming 2026, October 16鈥17! Alumni, students, families, and friends are invited to enjoy an exciting weekend of campus traditions, special events, and meaningful opportunities to reconnect with the Manchester community.

This year’s reunion classes are 1956, 1961, 1966, 1971, 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016, 2021, and 2026. Browse the resources below for the schedule of events, lodging information, and registration details. We look forward to welcoming you back to campus!

Schedule of Events

After You Register

Just for You!

When you arrive on campus, stop by the Registration tent located by the entrance to Spartan Stadium to pick up your name tag, tickets, a final schedule with the most up-to-date event locations, and additional information. The online Schedule of Events can also be referenced during Homecoming & Family Weekend for final event details.

Schedule of Events

Virtual 5k | Throughout the Week

Alumni from near and far are invited to run, walk, or bike in Manchester’s Virtual 5k any day the week of Homecoming. You will receive a digital bib number via email and are encouraged to share pictures on social media using #spartansforlife

FRIDAY | OCT 16

Class of 1976 Registration and Welcome Reception | 12 - 4:30 pm | 2nd Floor Jo Young Switzer Center Alumni Office

Welcome back, Class of 1976! Kick-off your reunion weekend here! Whether you pre-registered online or are a walk-in our registration desk can get you all the information you need to have a great weekend. Light refreshments will be served.

Alumni Honor Award Recipient Q&A Panel 1:15 - 2:15 pm

All alumni, students and families are invited to hear more in depth about the careers and accomplishments from this years鈥 alumni award recipients. There will be time for Q&A.

Now and Then Student & Alumni Panel | 2:30 - 3:30 pm

A lot has changed at Manchester in the last fifty years! The panel will include alumni from the class of 1976 and current students who will share all about life at Manchester now and then.

Campus Tours 3:30 and 4:30 pm

Join us for a campus tour, relive your time on 麻豆原创’s North Manchester Campus, reflect, and hear more about the future of Manchester’s student life.

Alumni Honor Award and Hall of Fame Induction Banquet | 5 pm Reception 6 pm Dinner and Program | 2nd Floor Jo Young Switzer Center

All are invited to celebrate this years鈥 alumni award recipients and Hall of Fame Class of 2026.

Alumni Honor Award Recipients:

  • Dr. Howard Petty 鈥76
  • Keith Strauss 鈥74
  • Shawn Kobb 鈥99

Young Alumni Outstanding Achievement Award Recipients:

  • Andrea Mekonnen 鈥12 鈥16PharmD
  • Erica Albertin 鈥10 Hedges

Albertin Hall of Fame Class of 2026:

  • Trey Forbes 鈥12 (baseball)
  • Kristen Frick 鈥05 Flory (women鈥檚 tennis)
  • The 2015-2016 Women鈥檚 Cross Country and Track and Field Team

Adults: $28.00

Children age 12 and under: $14.00

SATURDAY | OCT 17

Registration | 8:30 am - 2:30 pm | PERC parking lot & Spartan Stadium

Bring the whole family! There鈥檚 something for everyone鈥攜ou won鈥檛 want to miss out! Whether you pre-registered online or are a walk-in, stop by the Registration Tent, located by the entrance to Spartan Stadium, to pick up your name tag, tickets, a final schedule with the most up-to-date event locations, and additional information.

Athletic Alumni Events | Various Times | Various Locations

Football Alumni Breakfast | 8:30am | Toyota Round | Jean Childs Young Intercultural Center

Wrestling Open Practice and Alumni Cookout | Women 9 am, Men-10 am | Stauffer-Wolfe Arena
Join the current team and their families for a cookout behind the PERC following the open practice session.

Women鈥檚 Basketball Alumni Game | 11 am | Stauffer-Wolfe Arena

Softball Alumni Game | 11 am | Spartan Field

Men鈥檚 Soccer Game | 3:30 pm | Good Field
Alumni are invited to watch the game and then join the team and their families for a meal afterwards.

State of the University | President Stacy Young 鈥96 | 9:30 am

Hear from President Young about the current plans and future of 麻豆原创. There will be an opportunity for Q&A following the session.

Academic Department Activities | Various Times | Various Locations

Peace Studies Plaque Dedication | 10 am | Muir Peace Gardens
Join the Peace Studies Institute as the honor and recognize the work of professor emeriti, Dr. David Waas 鈥48.

Environmental Studies Meet Up | 11 am – 12 pm | Teaching Garden along East Street by the entrance to PERC parking lot

Literacy Lab Open House | 11 – 11:45 am | 2nd Floor Funderberg Library

Kids Zone | 10:30 am - 2:30 pm

Fun, games, bounce houses, face painting and more!听

Alumni Authors Corner | 11 am - 1 pm

Class Reunion Luncheons | 11 am - 6:30 pm

Class of 1976 50th Reunion Luncheon | 11 am | 2nd Floor, Jo Young Switzer Center

Golder Class Reunion Luncheons | 11:30 am | 2nd Floor Jo Young Switzer Center
Reunions for the classes of ‘56, ’61, ’66, ’71

Class Reunion Luncheons | 11:30 am
Class photos: Wine Recital Hall
Luncheon. Reunion Tent on East Street. Reunions for the classes of 鈥81, ’86, ’91, ’96, ’01, ’06, ’11, ’16, ’21

Class of 2026 Zero Class Reunion | 2 pm | Beer Tent
Class of 2026 are invited to celebrate your first Homecoming as alumni! Meet in the Beer Tent and receive a complimentary drink package. Includes 2 drink tickets, food, and a commemorative Homecoming koozie. Class photo will take place at 2:15pm.

Pharmacy Class Reunions | 6:30 pm
Classes of 2016 and 2021 are invited to celebrate their reunions at 麻豆原创 Fort Wayne.

Women鈥檚 Soccer vs. Hanover | 1 pm | Good Field

Women鈥檚 Soccer vs. Hanover 1 pm Good Field

Football vs. Franklin | 1:30 pm | Spartan Stadium

Kids ages 5+ are invited to run out onto the field with the team. Meet at the entrance to the track at by 1:15pm.
Tickets: $10 or free with Homecoming and Family Weekend nametag.

Book Club with Lily Qi 鈥91 | 1:30 pm

Hear from alumni author and Board or Trustee member, Lily Qi, who will share about her book, Elected American.

Men鈥檚 Soccer vs. Hanover | 3:30 pm | Good Field

Men鈥檚 Soccer vs. Hanover 3:30 pm Good Field

Volleyball vs. Hanover | 7 pm | Stauffer-Wolfe Arena

$8 or free entry with Homecoming and Family Weekend nametag

DINING OPTIONS

Dining Options
Sisters Caf茅, Cunningham Academic Center: Starbucks coffee, wraps, salads, and pizzas.
Friday: 7:30 am-3:00 pm
Saturday: 9 am-2 pm

Wilbur鈥檚, Funderburg Library: Hamburgers, Tex-Mex
Friday: 11 am-5 pm
Saturday: Closed

Haist Commons, Jo Young Switzer Center
Friday Lunch听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 11 am – 1 pm
Friday Dinner听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 4:30 pm 鈥 7 pm
Saturday Lunch听 听 听 听 听 听10 am – 2 pm
Saturday Dinner听 听 听 听 听 听4:30 pm 鈥 6:30 pm
Sunday Brunch听 听 听 听 听 听 10 am – 2 pm

Price
All: Lunch $11, Dinner $12
Sunday Brunch: adult $10, children $7.50
麻豆原创 Student with a meal plan: Entry with ID听

Food Trucks, East Street
Saturday lunch only! 11 am-1 pm
Weenie Wagon
Hogs R Wild

University Gear Shop
  • University Gear Shop: Jo Young Switzer Center (lower level)
    Stock up on new 麻豆原创 gear at the bookstore.
    Friday 9 am – 5 pm
    Saturday 10 am – 5 pm
  • Pop-up store: at the football field
    Saturday 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm听
Flag girl with a golden flag during homecoming week.

Accommodations

A block of rooms have been reserved for Homecoming and Family Weekend at:


  • Wabash 1610 N. Cass St. Wabash, IN 46992
    Discount Code: 905
    Or call 1-800-HILTONS and mention 麻豆原创 Homecoming.
    Cut-off date: 9/16/26

Other Lodging Options

Wabash: 听

North Manchester:

Fort Wayne

  • Hampton Inn Fort Wayne/Dupont Road 3520 East Dupont Road Fort Wayne, IN 46825 260-483-3999
  • Hilton Garden Inn Fort Wayne North 10650 Diebold Rd Fort Wayne, IN 46845 260-399-6000
  • Courtyard Fort Wayne Downtown 1150 S Harrison St. Fort Wayne, IN 46802 260-490-3629
A sign reads Join the Club for the Spartan Club with Manny the Spartan standing beside a sign up booth.
A solo cheerleader waves her black and gold pom poms to the crowd
A giant gold sign reads "Welcome Home Alumni"
kids enjoy the bounce house supplied during the festivities at Homecoming 2025
A family of four poses for a photo together at Homecoming

Photos From Previous Events

Every year we upload our best images into a photo library for you to enjoy! Follow the link and download some of your favorites from Manchester Homecoming!

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