BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — The Illinois Wesleyan community is set to celebrate 175 years of Titan stories during the 2025 Homecoming and Family Weekend on Oct. 10-12.
From the 1850 Market and a movie night on the Eckley Quadrangle to musical performances and a pop-up history museum in the Memorial Center, the multi-day celebration will unite Titans of all ages.
A full schedule of events and additional details are available at iwu.edu/homecoming.
“Illinois Wesleyan is proud to welcome alumni, families and friends back to campus for Homecoming and Family Weekend. From reunions to cherished traditions, this weekend will showcase the 175 years of Titan stories, memories, and pride that connect generations of Titans," said Director of Alumni Engagement Olivia Ruff '19.
The weekend will feature familiar traditions like class reunions, panels, receptions, performances and open houses. Tailgating events will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday in the Shirk Center parking lot before the football game against Wheaton University at 1 p.m. at Tucci Stadium.
Titan fans 21 and older can visit a designated tailgate spot at Hansen Student Center on the patio outside Tommy’s from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday to enjoy Destihl’s IWU Brew and alumni-owned Beer Nuts.
The Eckley Quadrangle will host the third annual 1850 Market from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday with small local businesses, food trucks and makers with goods to purchase. An area with family fun will also be set up on the quad with face painters, inflatables, balloon artists and more.
Multiple events honoring alumni will be featured such as the Center for Humanities Social from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Friday in The Ames Library’s Center for Engaged Learning. During this gathering, Nancy Steele Brokaw ‘71 will be honored as the 2025 Outstanding Alum in the Humanities.
Among the weekend’s signature events is The President’s Celebration Banquet, scheduled from 5-7:30 p.m. Friday at the Young Main Lounge in the Memorial Center. President Sheahon Zenger will honor the Golden Titans, alumni celebrating reunions and will present the 2025 Alumni Awards with the Distinguished Alumni Award going to John Camardella ‘03; the Loyalty Award to Carol Willis ‘68; and the Robert M. Montgomery Outstanding Young Alumni Award to Natalie Lalagos ‘12.
Student talent will be on display with a performance of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, featuring current students in all roles, in the Jerome Mirza Theatre at McPherson Hall at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, with tickets available to purchase at the SoTA Box Office.
From 7:30-9:30 p.m. Saturday, the IWU Wind Ensemble will perform works alongside the Youth Wind Orchestra of Saxony, Germany where 40 musicians from Germany will join 40 IWU performers.
Attendees are encouraged to stop by Homecoming Headquarters in the Hansen Student Center for a map, name tag, list of events and exclusive IWU swag upon arrival to campus Friday.
Visitors are encouraged to snap pictures with the new IWU letters monument in front of Hansen and to use #myiwustory when sharing to social media.