Homecoming Weekend

*Please note the schedule is subject to change. Please continue to check back for updates and further information!

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1

9:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.| CLASSES OPEN
Full schedule at check-in.

1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | CHECK-IN OPEN
Lobby of Burpee Center

2:30 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. | “Behind-the Scenes” Tour of Maddox Theatre
Clark Arts Center

3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | 250 Years of Phi Beta Kappa
Fisher Chapel

7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. | Orchesis: Reclaiming Home Through Dance
Maddox Theatre

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | CHECK-IN OPEN
Lobby of Burpee Center

9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. | CLASSES OPEN

12:00 p.m. | GOLDEN GRADS LUNCHEON
Regents Hall
Join us to celebrate current and past Golden Grads with President Dr. Patricia Lynott. Current and previous Golden Grads (those of classes 1975 and older) join us for free. All other alumni and guests are paid. Registration required.

2:00 p.m. | OFFICE OF GLOBAL AFFAIRS OPEN HOUSE
Office of Global Affairs, Second Floor of Burpee
RU alumni will have a chance to see the world through the eyes of RU international students.

3:30 p.m. | STATE OF THE UNIVERSITY WITH PRESIDENT LYNOTT AND ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD MEETING
Fisher Chapel
University President Dr. Lynott gives a State of the University address, along with the brief Annual Meeting of the Alumni Association.

5:00 p.m. | COCKTAIL HOUR
Regents Hall
Mingle with alumni and guests at this cocktail hour with cash/card bar. Registration required.

6:00 p.m. | ALL-ALUMNI AWARDS DINNER
Regents Hall
Join Alumni and Friends at our annual Awards dinner. Celebrate the accomplishments of RU Alumni while visiting with friends old and new. Registration required. $40.

7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. | Orchesis: Reclaiming Home Through Dance
Maddox Theatre

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3

10:00 a.m. | MEMORIAL SERVICE
Fisher Chapel

11:00 a.m. | HOMECOMING TAILGATE
Parking Lot A
Join the party! Multiple departments and clubs from across campus will hosts tents full of food, fun, and games at this massive tailgate party to celebrate the Homecoming Football Game. (See Our Tailgating Policy)

1:00 p.m. | HOMECOMING FOOTBALL GAME
Sam Greeley Field
Cheer on the Regents as they play against St. Norbert University. $5 entry fee.

7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. | Orchesis: Reclaiming Home Through Dance
Maddox Theatre

Saturday Evenings | CLASS REUNIONS!
Is your class celebrating a special year? Or just loves to hang out together? The Office of Advancement & Alumni would love to help you connect with your classmates to get together for dinner or drinks in Rockford to reconnect and remember. Email alumni@rockford.edu if you’d like to help organize something for your class.

OPEN ALL WEEKEND:

Disc Golf Course |  Enjoy the 19-hole disc golf course throughout the weekend! Course map available at Check-In.

Campus Spirit Shop | Stock up on all your Rockford University (and some Rockford College!) gear at Reggie’s Corner, located on the first floor of the Burpee Student Center.

Self-Guided Walking Tour | Tour books for a self-guided walking tour of campus are available at Check-In.

Bus Service to and from O’Hare

Van Galder/Coach USA offers round-trip service from O’Hare International Airport in Chicago to Rockford.  The bus makes one stop in the Rockford area.  The bus will drop off and pick up passengers at the Van Galder Shuttle Center. You can purchase tickets HERE.  Tickets can also be purchased at the Center from 5:30 am to 8:30 pm or from the bus driver. To learn more about the bus schedule and for the lowest price available, please visit their website.

Uber/Lyft

There are a number of Uber/Lyft options available in the Rockford Area. For more information, please download the apps or visit the Uber or Lyft websites.

If you need any assistance, please feel free to contact the Alumni office at 815-226-3370

Rockford University has set up hotel blocks at local hotels that are nearby to campus. You must call the hotel directly to make your reservations. If you have any questions relating to the rooms, please reach out to the hotel directly. Please use “Rockford University 50th Reunion” or “Rockford University Reunion / Homecoming” to secure a room in the block. We can’t wait to see you at Homecoming! 

You must reserve your room by September 1, 2026 to ensure these special rates. 

The Radisson 
200 S Bell School Road, Rockford, IL 61108 
815-226-2100  |  Rate: $134.00 / night 
Check-in begins at 3:00 p.m.  |  Check out at 12:00 p.m. 

 Candlewood Suites 
7555 Walton Street, Rockford, IL 61108 
815-229-9300  |  Rate: $199.00 
Pet friendly 
Check-in begins at 3:00 p.m.  |  Check out at 12:00 p.m. 

Want to make Reunion 2026 extra special for your class? Volunteer to be a Class Ambassador!

Our milestone class years will be the years ending in 6 and 1. Help us make your class’s Reunion even more meaningful. Volunteer as a class ambassador today!

Contact the Office of Advancement & Alumni at alumni@rockford.edu if you’re interested in leading a gathering for your class year.