{"id":48825,"date":"2026-09-22T15:25:29","date_gmt":"2026-09-22T20:25:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.und.edu\/und-today\/?p=48825"},"modified":"2026-09-22T15:25:29","modified_gmt":"2026-09-22T20:25:29","slug":"celebrate-und-homecoming-week-starting-sept-28","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.und.edu\/und-today\/2026\/09\/celebrate-und-homecoming-week-starting-sept-28\/","title":{"rendered":"Celebrate UND Homecoming Week starting Sept. 28"},"content":{"rendered":"

Leading up to weekend of sports, Homecoming events at UND to celebrate school spirit, anniversaries and new campus features<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"UND
UND archival image.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

One hundred ten years after the first Homecoming\u00a0in 1916, the University of North Dakota is ready to once again celebrate Homecoming Week.<\/span><\/p>\n

Next week, Sept. 28 through Oct. 3, UND will host several events, including celebrations of anniversaries, awards and new and upcoming campus features.<\/span><\/p>\n

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 \u2014 this time facing the Murray State Racers.<\/span><\/p>\n

The UND Alumni Association & Foundation features a list of Homecoming events<\/strong><\/a>, and the UND Events Calendar has a “Homecoming” tab<\/strong><\/a> on its front page as another way to keep track.<\/span><\/p>\n

This story features specific events taking place throughout the week.<\/span><\/p>\n

Go Hawks!<\/span><\/p>\n

18:83 Speaker Series featuring Bob Boyd<\/h2>\n

Bob Boyd, vice president emeritus for Student and Outreach Services, will return to campus during Homecoming Week to take part in <\/span>the University’s 18:83 Speaker Series<\/span><\/b><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The event will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 30, at the Memorial Union Social Stair.<\/span><\/p>\n

Boyd \u2014 also known as “Mr. UND,” a nickname\u00a0coined by former\u00a0UND president Robert Kelley \u2014 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Boyd is also a 2023 Sioux Award for Distinguished Achievement & Leadership recipient.<\/span><\/p>\n

Following his speech, an award bearing his name will be conferred to a member of the UND community.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Dr. Robert H. Boyd Healthy UND Champion Award will recognize the achievements of an individual, department or group\u00a0that has\u00a0worked 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Starcher Stage open house with UND Theatre Arts<\/h2>\n

On Thursday afternoon, Oct. 1, from 1 to 3 p.m., the UND Department of Theatre Arts will hold <\/span>an open house celebrating the opening of Starcher Stage at Starcher Hall<\/span><\/b><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The new performance space crowns months of development at Starcher Hall as the new home for UND Theatre Arts.<\/span><\/p>\n

In early 2025, <\/span>UND Today<\/span><\/b><\/a> reported on the transitions the department has made since Chandler Hall’s demolition in 2018.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

On the main level, the black box theater \u2014 Starcher Stage \u2014 will allow for bigger performances both in terms of production and audience capacity going forward.<\/span><\/p>\n

Built to spec in Starcher Hall, the new stage can accommodate shows with up to 20 actors and as many as 200 spectators.<\/span><\/p>\n

The open house will provide the opportunity to meet with faculty and students, ask questions and celebrate a new chapter for theatre at UND.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Sioux<\/p>\n

Alumni Honors Banquet<\/h2>\n

Since 1962, the Sioux Award for Distinguished Achievement & Leadership has been the highest accolade bestowed by the UND Alumni Association & Foundation.<\/span><\/p>\n

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 <\/span>Alumni Honors Banquet<\/span><\/b><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

This year’s recipients are:<\/span><\/p>\n