The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Homecoming celebration, Oct. 16 to 23, will focus on engaging alumni and students from across the globe in a wide variety of events.
The “Titans Around the World” Homecoming theme encourages alumni, students, faculty and staff to participate no matter where they are in the world.
Alumni Relations Director Christine Gantner said since not all alumni can make it back to campus for Homecoming, they are encouraged to celebrate from afar.
“We invited all alumni to share their stories about where they are ― whether they’re across the globe or right down the block― and what they have been doing,” Gantner said.
Updates from alumni around the world and those who will be celebrating UW Oshkosh Homecoming outside of Oshkosh are shared on the Homecoming website.
In addition, UW Oshkosh alumni groups in Florida and Arizona are planning their own Homecoming events. “They’re celebrating ‘Titans Around Florida’ and ‘Titans Around Arizona,’” Gantner said.
On campus, Homecoming activities begin Saturday, Oct. 16, with Hands on Oshkosh, which involves students, faculty and staff volunteering at different community agencies in Oshkosh. The event, open to 325 participants, will be the biggest Hands on Oshkosh to date. Register to participate.
Throughout the week, students will take part in a variety of activities, including window painting, hall decorating and voting for Homecoming royalty. Gantner reminds students that they don’t have to be a part of a student group or organization to be active in Homecoming.
Beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 23, the campus community is invited to a continental breakfast and open house at the Student Recreation and Wellness Center (SRWC). At 11 a.m., the second-annual Tour de Titan Bike Ride will feature a nine-mile route around the city of Oshkosh, departing from SRWC and ending at Tent City, south of the Oshkosh Sports Complex on Josslyn Street.
The pregame Tent City celebration offers free food and entertainment for Titans of all ages, featuring inflatables and the UWO student band, The Midwestern Charm.
Students are looking for teams of faculty, staff and alumni to participate in a new event ― a rope pull competition. Gantner said she was excited to hear about the rope pull because of its historic significance to the University.
“That was music to my ears as alumni director, because part of my role is to preserve history and that was a huge tradition on this campus decades ago,” she said. “To me, it shows that school spirit was alive and well then, still is today, and that students really aren’t all that different.”
Following Tent City, the UW Oshkosh Titan football team will take on UW-Platteville at 2 p.m. at J. J. Keller Field at Titan Stadium, 450 Josslyn St. The game is free to all students with their Titan ID.
In a partnership with UW Oshkosh Athletics and the UW Oshkosh Alumni Association, the Homecoming football game will be streamed live online for free, offering another way for alumni and those who can’t be in Oshkosh to celebrate Homecoming.
Traditional Homecoming festivities conclude with complimentary refreshments during the Fifth Quarter celebration at Hilton Garden Inn, 1355 W. 20th St.
More Homecoming information.