UND Homecoming Week 2025 is Sept. 15-20
Busy schedule leads up to Fighting Hawks football showdown at the Alerus Center on Saturday, Sept. 20
Homecoming Week at UND, starting Monday, Sept. 15, is set for a packed schedule of events.
Not only will it feature a football game and other staples of the long-running fall tradition, but this year will also see a grand opening, multiple ribbon-cuttings and groundbreakings, and a campus celebration of Constitution Day.
On Saturday, Sept. 20, (following the Homecoming Parade along University Avenue) the Fighting Hawks football team will take on Valparaiso University at the Alerus Center.
A schedule of events specific to Homecoming Week is available online, courtesy of the UND Alumni Association & Foundation. The UND Events Calendar is another way to stay up to date with the week’s activities.
Below is a recap of several marquee events taking place around Homecoming. Go Hawks!
Constitution Day
Though not specific to Homecoming Week, this year’s weeklong celebration falls on Sept. 17 — a national observance of the 1787 signing of the U.S. Constitution. Several events are scheduled throughout the day, including a naturalization ceremony to be held in the Memorial Union.
All Constitution Day events are open to the campus community, and a preview with more details has been posted in University Letter.
Pep Rally in Town Square
Once again, UND is partnering with the Grand Forks Downtown Development Association for a Wednesday evening pep rally in the city’s Town Square. Food trucks will be available from 5 to 6 p.m., and a program will start at 6:15 featuring remarks from President Andy Armacost and football coach Eric Schmidt.
The community is invited to party with the UND Pride of the North Marching Band and UND Cheer and Dance teams and enjoy yard games, giveaways and other special guests.
Alumni Honors Banquet presented by United Valley Bank
This year, the UNDAAF is honoring eight of UND’s most distinguished alumni at the annual Alumni Honors Banquet. The banquet will be held at the Alerus Center on Thursday, Sept. 18. Note: Registration for the event has closed.
This year’s recipients of Distinguished Achievement & Leadership awards are Phil Gisi, ’82; Jill (Erickson) Newby, ’83; Dr. John Gray, ’87, and Karen Schmidt-Gray, ’82; and Dave Hakstol, ’96.
Receiving Young Alumni Achievement Awards are Lisa Persuitti-Huber, ’05, ’08; Dr. Michael Greenwood, ’07, ’11; and Hunter Pinke, ’21.
Features on each award recipient are available to read on the UNDAAF website.
STEM Complex Groundbreaking
The STEM Complex Groundbreaking on Friday, Sept. 19, marks the beginning of a bold, two-phase development that will transform the landscape of science, technology, engineering and mathematics education at UND.
Designed to foster collaboration and innovation, this cutting-edge facility will serve as the new home for students pursuing STEM careers and prepare them to enter the workforce in the state of North Dakota and beyond.
The program — starting at 1:30 p.m. — will include remarks from UND leadership, with cookies and refreshments served following the ceremony.
The groundbreaking will take place on the former Hyslop Sports Center grounds, located at the corner of Cornell Street and Second Avenue North, directly across from Abbott Hall.
Merrifield Hall Grand Opening
Shortly after the groundbreaking for the STEM Complex, on Sept. 19, a longstanding and iconic campus structure is hosting a grand opening.
The community is invited to a 3 p.m. ribbon cutting commemorating the reopening of Merrifield Hall. Following a years-long period of renovations, faculty, staff and students returned to the building this spring — now it’s time to celebrate the building’s modernization.
A short program at the east entrance will mark the ribbon cutting, and there will be refreshments, self-guided tours and activities around the building. Architect Nick Jensen of JLG Architects will present “The Storied Past of Merrifield Hall” at 3:30 p.m. in Room 300.
