Celebrate UND Homecoming Week starting Sept. 28
Leading up to weekend of sports, Homecoming events at UND to celebrate school spirit, anniversaries and new campus features
One hundred ten years after the first Homecoming in 1916, the University of North Dakota is ready to once again celebrate Homecoming Week.
Next week, Sept. 28 through Oct. 3, UND will host several events, including celebrations of anniversaries, awards and new and upcoming campus features.
As always, the week will be capped by the Homecoming Parade followed by the Fighting Hawks football team taking the field at the Alerus Center — this time facing the Murray State Racers.
The UND Alumni Association & Foundation features a list of Homecoming events, and the UND Events Calendar has a “Homecoming” tab on its front page as another way to keep track.
This story features specific events taking place throughout the week.
Go Hawks!
18:83 Speaker Series featuring Bob Boyd
Bob Boyd, vice president emeritus for Student and Outreach Services, will return to campus during Homecoming Week to take part in the University’s 18:83 Speaker Series.
The event will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 30, at the Memorial Union Social Stair.
Boyd — also known as “Mr. UND,” a nickname coined by former UND president Robert Kelley — retired in 2011 following 33 years of service to UND. He served as dean of Continuing Education from 1978 to 1998 and as vice president until his retirement.
Boyd is also a 2023 Sioux Award for Distinguished Achievement & Leadership recipient.
Following his speech, an award bearing his name will be conferred to a member of the UND community.
The Dr. Robert H. Boyd Healthy UND Champion Award will recognize the achievements of an individual, department or group that has worked to improve the health and wellness of UND students, faculty and staff by enhancing awareness, building skills, changing social norms and creating a healthier environment.
Starcher Stage open house with UND Theatre Arts
On Thursday afternoon, Oct. 1, from 1 to 3 p.m., the UND Department of Theatre Arts will hold an open house celebrating the opening of Starcher Stage at Starcher Hall.
The new performance space crowns months of development at Starcher Hall as the new home for UND Theatre Arts.
In early 2025, UND Today reported on the transitions the department has made since Chandler Hall’s demolition in 2018.
Starcher Hall now features faculty and staff offices for the department, a large-scale movement lab on the second floor and a costume shop and makeup studio significantly bigger than what was previously located in the Burtness Theatre basement.
On the main level, the black box theater — Starcher Stage — will allow for bigger performances both in terms of production and audience capacity going forward.
Built to spec in Starcher Hall, the new stage can accommodate shows with up to 20 actors and as many as 200 spectators.
The open house will provide the opportunity to meet with faculty and students, ask questions and celebrate a new chapter for theatre at UND.
Alumni Honors Banquet
Since 1962, the Sioux Award for Distinguished Achievement & Leadership has been the highest accolade bestowed by the UND Alumni Association & Foundation.
On Thursday evening, Oct. 1, starting at 5:30 p.m., the UNDAAF will present the award to five exceptional alumni at the Alerus Center during the annual Alumni Honors Banquet.
This year’s recipients are:
- Sam Anderson, ’69, ’71
- Dr. Stacie Bell, ’91
- Tom, ’72, & Konnie (Peach) Middleton, ’75
- Jeff Frane, ’84
- Randy Hatzenbuhler, ’85
Konnie Middleton, a longtime supporter of the University who, with her husband Tom, helped establish the Middleton School of Entrepreneurship & Management in the Nistler College of Business & Public Administration, will receive the award posthumously.
Receiving Young Alumni Achievement Awards are Chuck Black, ’10, and Mickayla Rosard, ’11.
Each award recipient is featured on the UNDAAF website.
UND Fan Fest & Downtown Pep Rally
Also happening Thursday evening, Oct. 1, is the fifth annual UND Fan Fest and Downtown Pep Rally at Town Square in Grand Forks, hosted by the Downtown Development Association.
Free and open to the community, the pep rally is a time to wear your best green, bring your family and friends and enjoy an evening of UND pride.
There will be food, games, giveaways and performances by the UND Pride of the North Marching Band and the UND Spirit Squads.
From 5:30 to 6:30 is Fan Fest, which will feature interactive stations with UND athletes, and the pep rally will start at 6:30. UND student organizations, campus departments and community organizations will also host booths during the event.
Atmospheric Sciences turns 40
Homecoming Week 2026 also marks 40 years of education at the UND Department of Atmospheric Sciences in the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences.
The department is hosting activities through Friday, Oct. 2, at Ryan Hall and Robin Hall.
From 10 a.m. to noon will be alumni career presentations and a panel discussion, followed by Aerospace building tours starting at 2:45 p.m.
A reception will follow at the Robin Hall atrium from 4 to 6 p.m., including remarks from department chair Aaron Kennedy, associate professor of Atmospheric Sciences.
Engineering & Science Complex Beam Signing
Also on Friday, Oct. 2, is a chance to leave your mark on the future of UND.
To celebrate the ongoing construction of the new Engineering & Science Complex on Cornell Street, the University is hosting a beam signing at the Outdoor Pergola Patio of the Memorial Union from 2:30 to 3 p.m.
The beam will become a permanent part of the building, displayed for years to come as a reminder of the people who helped build UND’s future.
Add your signature to celebrate the moment and be part of UND’s story.
Homecoming Parade and Fighting Hawks Football
Get up bright and early on Saturday, Oct. 3, to get a great spot along University Avenue for the annual Homecoming Parade starting at 9 a.m.
Celebrate your UND pride before the big game with the campus and community as colorful floats, spirited student groups and local organizations make their way eastbound on University Avenue, starting at the Gorecki Alumni Center.
Not long after, at 1 p.m., the Fighting Hawks kick off their Homecoming matchup against the Murray State Racers.
Hockey, softball and soccer
Also through the end of Homecoming Week are two exhibition games for the UND men’s hockey team.
At 6:07 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3, UND will host Augustana at Ralph Engelstad Arena.
And on Sunday, Oct. 4, at 3:07 p.m., the team will take on the University of Manitoba Bisons.
The softball team, on Sunday, will play a doubleheader at Albrecht Field, taking on UM Crookston at noon and Valley City State at 5 p.m. The two visiting schools will play a game starting at 2:30 p.m.
The women’s soccer team will take on the University of South Dakota at Bronson Field also on Sunday, starting at 1 p.m.
