Shepherd University Celebrates Homecoming with Traditions, Football, and Family Activities October 15-18

ISSUED: 8 October 2026
MEDIA CONTACT: Hans Fogle

SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV - Shepherd University will welcome alumni, students, families, and friends to campus for Homecoming weekend October 15-18. Alumni awards, family activities, the parade, and a football game will bring the Ram Fam together to reconnect and make new memories.

Festivities begin Thursday, October 15, with the Alumni Awards Ceremony and Reception from 6-8 p.m. in the Student Center's Storer Ballroom. Honorees include Outstanding Alumnus of the Year David Decker '89 and Finest Under 40 recipients Justin Arner '09, B. Alex Lemley '10, and Brooklyn Vetter '14.

Friday, October 16 features the 35th annual Alumni Golf Tournament at Cress Creek, where 30 teams will tee off. The Shepherd Athletic Club's Homecoming Party begins at 6 p.m. at the Rumsey Event Center, featuring remarks from the club and University athletics representatives, food, drinks, and a DJ.

Saturday, October 17, starts with the Alumni Breakfast on McMurran Hall's lawn from 9-11 a.m., offering a gathering place to catch up with fellow Rams and watch the Homecoming Parade along German Street at 10 a.m.

Academic meet-and-greets across campus will give alumni opportunities to visit with Shepherd's three colleges and reconnect with deans and faculty.

Families can also enjoy "Frederick Douglass and the Freedom of Writing: A Children's Creative Writing Workshop and Book Event" at 10:30 a.m. on Little House Lawn. Free and open to the public, this collaboration between the Common Reading Program and the Shepherd University National Writing Project will celebrate literacy with children's activities and giveaways.

The Rams football team will face Bloomsburg at noon. During the game, Shepherd will recognize the anniversaries of five championship football teams: 1986, 1991, 2006, 2016, and 2021.

The celebration continues at the Alumni Association Post-Game Gathering at Panagiota's Taste of Greece immediately after the game until 7 p.m. The first 100 Shepherd Ram fans to arrive will receive a complimentary drink ticket.

Two alumni-owned businesses are teaming up for the Homecoming Farewell Open House on Sunday, October 18, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Lightsome Coffee Shop in Hagerstown, Maryland will host the event, and DinoQuest Adventures will bring life-sized, realistic dinosaur displays to add some extra fun!

For the complete schedule, visit the Shepherd University Homecoming page.

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