Find details on events happening during our 2026 Homecoming and Reunion Weekend here. Whether you are coming back for a milestone reunion, the Pioneer football game, or to catch up with friends at the Grand Reunion, all alumni and friends are welcome. We cannot wait to C-U back on campus for Homecoming & Reunion Weekend!
Old Main Society Reception and Dinner
5:00 - 9:00 p.m. | Main Lawn and Stackner Ballroom, Campus Center | Invitation Only
Exclusive event for Old Main Society members, annual donors of $1,000 or more. Please watch the mail for your invitation.
Learn more about becoming an Old Main Society Member by clicking this link!
20-Minute Campus Tours & Complimentary Carroll Coffee
1:00 - 4:00 p.m. | Leaving from the Campus Center Lobby every 20 minutes—on the hour, at :20 and at :40 | FREE
Welcome Home, Alumni! Swing by the Homecoming Resource Table in the Campus Center Lobby to grab a free coffee. Curious about what's new around campus? Join a guided tour - available on foot or by golf cart - and see how your alma mater has grown!
Art + Design Faculty Exhibition
2:00 - 4:30 p.m. | Joyce Paddock Bliss Art Gallery, Main Hall | FREE
Explore works by Carroll University's Art + Design faculty and join us for a reception with light hors d'oeuvres, refreshments and an opportunity to meet the artists.
50th Reunion Celebration
4:00 - 9:00 p.m. | $60 per person
• President's Reception for 50th Reunion
4:00 - 5:00 p.m. | Medallion on Main Lawn
Exclusive gathering for Pioneers celebrating their 50th reunion (Class of 1976) and their guests. Hosted by President Cindy Gnadinger, and her husband, John Gnadinger.
• 50th Reunion Dinner & Golden Pioneer Pinning Ceremony
5:30 - 9:00 p.m. | Stackner Ballroom, Campus Center
Pioneers from the Class of 1976, along with friends, family and guests, will gather for this momentous and lively 50th Reunion celebration and Golden Pioneer pinning ceremony. Enjoy drinks, hors d’oeuvres, a dinner buffet and interactive group activities while reliving your days at Carroll!
Habitat for Humanity's Spaghetti Dinner
4:30 - 6:30 p.m. | Main Dining Room | $5/person at the door
See what it's like to eat as a current student on campus and support Habitat for Humanity's Fall fundraiser, which has been taking place for over 20 years. The cost is $5 per person, and all proceeds benefit Carroll’s Habitat for Humanity Student Organization and Habitat for Humanity of Waukesha & Jefferson Counties. Please pay when you arrive. Vegetarian and Gluten-Free Options Available!
50th Reunion of the 1976-77 Championship Football Team Dinner
5:00 p.m. | Raised Grain Taproom | 1725 Dolphin Drive, Waukesha, WI | FREE | Food and Beverages available for purchase
Celebrate 50 years of championship pride! Join former teammates for a night of camaraderie, great memories, dinner and drinks honoring the 1976–77 Championship Football Team.
180th Anniversary Pioneer Party
6:00 - 10:00 p.m. | Raised Grain Taproom | 1725 Dolphin Drive, Waukesha, WI | FREE | One complimentary drink per participant. Additional food and beverages available for purchase
Join fellow Pioneers for the release party of the limited-edition 2026 Carroll Homecoming beer, specially crafted by Raised Grain to celebrate the occasion! Enjoy a lively evening of conversation, craft brews and Carroll spirit. Head out to the terrace from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. for live music by The Van Dwellers or stay inside the Beer Hall for games and casual fun throughout the night.
20-Minute Campus Tours
9:00 - 11:00 a.m. | Leaving from the Campus Center Lobby every 20 minutes—on the hour, at :20 and at :40 | FREE
Motorized tours available.
Alumnae Women's Lacrosse Game
9:00 a.m. | Schneider Field | FREE
Women's lacrosse alumnae - Don't miss out on this opportunity to relive the glory days! From seasoned veterans to recent graduates, former players will showcase their skills, determination, and unwavering Pioneer spirit.
Alumni Baseball Game
10:00 a.m. | Frame Park | FREE
Hey batter, batter - calling all baseball alumni! Due to popular demand, this year's alumni game will be a slow-pitch game with 60' bases. Don't miss your chance to get back in the game!
Golden Pioneer Brunch Reunion
10:00 a.m. | Stackner Ballroom, Campus Center | $30 per person
Brunch for all Golden Pioneers, any graduate from the class of 1976 or prior. This gathering will celebrate the milestone reunions for the classes of 1976 (50th Reunion), 1971 (55th Reunion), 1966 (60th Reunion), 1961 (65th Reunion), 1956 (70th Reunion), and 1951 (75th Reunion).
Choir Alumni and Student Rehearsal for Alma Mater and National Anthem
10:00 a.m. | FREE
Calling all Choir Alumni! Join fellow alumni and our current Carroll Choir in two opportunities to sing Carroll’s Alma Mater and the National Anthem (conducted by Assistant Professor of Music and Choral Director Dr. Jeremiah Cawley).
Event Schedule:
• Bagels and coffee in Shattuck
• Rehearsal in Shattuck
• Performance at Golden Pioneer Brunch in the Stackner Ballroom, Campus Center
• Meeting on Schneider field to sing at 1:50 pm
Future Pioneers Kids Area
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Main Lawn, Under the Tent | FREE for Kids Under 12
Balloon animals created by Carroll alumna Yolanda Medina '16, M.Ed. '19, cotton candy, popcorn, temporary tattoos, activities, and more await all Future Pioneers!
Class of 1986 Tailgate: 40th Reunion Gathering
11:00 a.m. | Location To be Determined | FREE for Class of 1986 Alumni and Friends
Calling all ’86ers! Let’s line the street for the Homecoming Parade! Then join your classmates for a fun-filled tailgate before kickoff. Catch up with old friends, swap stories from the good old days, and cheer on the football team together in true Class of ’86 style! Appetizers will be provided, and the 40th Reunion Committee — Blane Dexheimer ’86, John Harris ’86, and Mary Stieber Reynhout ’86 — will have some beverages available. Feel free to bring your favorite drinks and snacks to enjoy and share. After the game, keep the fun going as we head together to the Campus Center for the Grand Reunion celebration!
Be sure to spread the word and encourage your fellow classmates to attend — the more classmates who join us, the more memorable the celebration will be! Please register so we can plan for plenty of food, drinks, and great memories. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!
Black Student Union Tailgate
11:00 a.m. | Location To Be Determined | FREE for Black Student Union Alumni and Friends
Gather with Black Student Union alumni and friends before kickoff! Reconnect with familiar faces, meet new members of the BSU community, and get ready to cheer on the Pios together. This complimentary tailgate is BYOB, with appetizers provided. Thank you to our event champions, Christina Ogunnubi '22, M.Ed. '24, Lexi Elegbede-Peer '24, M.S. '26, and Riana Henderson '22, for bringing the BSU community together!
Pioneer Tailgate
11:00 a.m. | Location To Be Determined | FREE
The ultimate pre-game celebration!
Athletics Alumni Parade Participation
Line-Up Time To Be Determined, Parade Time 12:00 p.m. | Meeting Location To Be Determined | FREE
Celebrate 180 years of Carroll University by showcasing the proud tradition of Pioneer Athletics! Former student-athletes are invited to walk in the Homecoming Parade alongside fellow athletics alumni from their era. Each decade of Carroll Athletics will be represented by a decade flag. Show your Pioneer pride by wearing your favorite Carroll spirit wear or, if you still have it, your vintage Carroll athletic gear. Whether you competed in the lanes or on the field, court, track or course, this is a fun opportunity to reconnect with teammates, celebrate your athletic legacy, and inspire today's Pioneers.
Homecoming Parade
12:00 p.m. | Corner of College and East Avenues | FREE
20-Minute Campus Tours
1:00 - 3:00 p.m. | Leaving from the Campus Center Lobby every 20 minutes—on the hour, at :20 and at :40 | FREE
Motorized tours available.
Football Game vs. Illinois Wesleyan University
2:00 p.m. | Schneider Stadium | $10/adult and $5/child (12 & under) and seniors (65 & over), cash or card, at the gate
Featuring Music Alumni and the Carroll Choir singing Carroll’s Alma Mater and the National Anthem pre-game. Carroll Athletics is committed to providing a safe and inclusive game day experience for everyone in attendance. Check out our code of conduct here.
Communication Alumni Half-time Photo
3:15 p.m. | Schneider Stadium | FREE
Join Communication Alumni at half-time of the football game at the south goalpost for the annual group photo!
GRAND REUNION CELEBRATION
5:00 - 9:00 p.m. | Stackner Ballroom, Campus Center | $35 per person and $25 per Graduates of the Last Decade (for 2016 graduates and after)
Celebrate Pioneers across the years with decade-themed trivia, music, BINGO, a photo booth, and more! Registration fee also includes first drink and food, including Ponza Rottas! All alumni are invited back to campus to recognize milestone reunions in this GRAND celebration honoring the classes of 1951 (75th Reunion), 1956 (70th Reunion), 1961 (65th Reunion), 1966 (60th Reunion), 1971 (55th Reunion), 1976 (50th Reunion), 1981 (45th Reunion), 1986 (40th Reunion), 1991 (35th Reunion), 1996 (30th Reunion), 2001 (25th Reunion), 2006 (20th Reunion), 2011 (15th Reunion), 2016 (10th Reunion), 2021 (5th Reunion), and 2026!
Carroll Memorial Worship Service
10:00 a.m. | Humphrey Memorial Chapel | FREE
Service to remember those in the Carroll community who have recently passed away as we conclude Homecoming & Reunion Weekend activities. Fellowship reception to follow in the Narthex.