Bucknell Homecoming 2024 to Offer Something Old, Something New for Alumni

Bucknell University's Homecoming 2024 will feature something old, something new and a lot of Orange and Blue for nearly 500 alumni and their families returning to campus Friday through Sunday, Oct. 18–20. The weekend’s events will celebrate the University’s rich traditions while introducing new highlights, offering a blend of nostalgia and innovation.

A full schedule of events is available here, promising activities that honor Bucknell’s past, celebrate its present and look ahead to its future.

Friday: Celebrating Achievements and Honoring Legacies
Homecoming Weekend kicks off on Friday and features two simultaneous alumni celebrations at 7 p.m. — one celebrating the inaugural "30 Under 30" alumni class and, the other, Bucknell's 46th Hall of Fame class induction.

The "30 Under 30" celebration will take place in the Weis Center for the Performing Arts. This new recognition program celebrates young Bucknellians who have made significant professional achievements and contributions to their communities. Additional details, including the full list of honorees, can be found on the "30 Under 30" website.

At the same time, the Bucknell Athletics Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place in the Terrace Room of the Elaine Langone Center. The ceremony will honor the Hall of Fame Class of 2024, which includes these five former Bison greats:

• Luke Rohrbaugh '71, a standout offensive lineman and accomplished shot put and discus thrower
• Ted Peterson '76, a record-setting goalkeeper who played a crucial role in some of Bucknell’s finest men’s soccer teams
• Garrin Kapecki '89, a two-time honorable mention All-America water polo player who also competed with the U.S. National Team
• Amy Mantush Filanowski '10, a record-setting jumper and multi-event athlete who contributed to six Patriot League, title-winning women’s track and field teams
• Austin Winter '10, a high-scoring lacrosse attackman and three-time honorable mention All-American

Saturday: New Experiences and Historic Celebrations
Saturday's events will feature a mix of the new and the historic, beginning with an introduction to two of Bucknell's newest academic initiatives. At 10 a.m. on the second floor of Taylor Hall, attendees can learn about the Perricelli-Gegnas Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation and the Dominguez Center for Data Science during a "Meet Our New Centers" session. Erin Jablonski, director of the Perricelli-Gegnas Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, and Kelly McConville, director of the Dominguez Center for Data Science, will discuss how they aim to foster creativity, entrepreneurship and data-driven problem-solving.

For those seeking a unique cultural experience, Cirque Kikasse: SANTÉ! will present two free performances at noon and 4 p.m. behind the Weis Center in the Pascucci Family Athletics Complex parking lot. The contemporary cirque show promises a blend of acrobatics, theater and artistry.

Athletic competitions begin at noon as the Bison men's and women's swimming & diving teams host Patriot League rival Boston University in Kinney Natatorium.

The centerpiece of the weekend will be the Bucknell football team's Christy Mathewson- Memorial Stadium 100th Anniversary Game vs. Cornell at 1 p.m. Since opening on Oct. 24, 1924, the historic landmark has hosted 459 Bucknell football games, 152 Bucknell men’s lacrosse games, hundreds of Bucknell track and field meets, and countless other community sporting events, performances and gatherings. The stadium is named after, arguably, the most famous Bison athlete, Christy Mathewson, who starred as a fullback, punter and dropkicker at Bucknell from 1898 to 1900.

The game will be preceded by the Spirit Trail starting at 11 a.m. at Dent Drive and Freas Hall Lawn — giving visitors a chance to kick their Bucknell school spirit into high gear — and an alumni and gridiron tailgate at 11:30 a.m. at the stadium.

Starting at 3 p.m., some of Bucknell's most popular faculty and staff — as nominated by alumni — will be on hand for the Homecoming Hangout in a uniquely crafted faculty lounge under the event tent in the Marts Hall parking lot. The event will feature the faculty band Folk Justice.

Sunday: Reflecting on the Weekend
The weekend will conclude on Sunday with a more relaxed pace, allowing visitors to explore campus, enjoy time with fellow alumni, savor the memories made during Homecoming and reconnect with Bucknell’s beautiful surroundings.