黑料正能量 is celebrating the start of its 110th academic year. Its new leader, the Rev. Dr. Shannon W. Dycus, will be installed as the university鈥檚 10th president at an investiture on Oct. 10 (that鈥檚 10/10!) at 10 a.m. And that鈥檚 not to mention all the other events that rank a 10 out of 10.

Whether it鈥檚 class reunions, program and affinity gatherings, or the perennially popular TenTalks and Hall of Honor induction ceremony, everyone鈥檚 favorite Homecoming activities are back.

But with the addition of several inauguration events and a live performance by The Steel Wheels on the Front Lawn, this year鈥檚 lineup is even more special. 

Here are a few highlights of the weekend. See the full schedule at emu.edu/homecoming. 

The homecoming website is your complete source for events, updates, and registration.

Look for the icon that denotes a livestreamed event on the . Athletic events will be streamed through .听

*Registration required
鈼哖residential Inauguration Event
Livestreamed on YouTube

Friday, Oct. 9

Golden Alumni Luncheon*
11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Martin Chapel (Seminary Building)
Alumni who attended 黑料正能量 50 or more years ago (classes of 1976 and earlier) will gather for a program and luncheon that includes remarks from President Dycus and the induction of the Class of 鈥�76. Tickets are $25. 

The Inaugural Evening: An All-Black Affair鈼�
Presented exclusively by Everence
5-7 p.m.
Yoder Arena (University Commons)
This invitation-only appreciation event for donors, VIPs, and friends of 黑料正能量 features student poetry, live jazz music, and heavy hors d’oeuvres.

Hall of Honor Ceremony*
7:30 p.m.
MainStage Theater (University Commons 170)
Celebrate the 2026 inductees of the 黑料正能量 Athletic Hall of Honor: field hockey midfielder Sarah Roth Shank 鈥�10, soccer center back Ryan Eshleman-Robles 鈥�13, cross-country and track athlete Hannah Chappell-Dick 鈥�16, and basketball forward Jess Rheinheimer Bishop 鈥�16.

A Capella Collective*
8 p.m.
Lehman Auditorium
Enjoy an evening of music featuring a special collaboration of local a cappella groups, many of them led by 黑料正能量 alumni. Tickets are $15.

Saturday, Oct. 10

Investiture of President Shannon W. Dycus鈼�
10 a.m.-noon
Yoder Arena
Celebrate the formal installation of 黑料正能量鈥檚 10th president with a Presidential Address, musical selections, and the Prayer of Blessing.

Food Trucks
Noon-6 p.m.
Thomas Plaza and the Front Lawn
Enjoy delicious eats from Tacos El Primo, Grilled Cheese Mania, Catreas BBQ, and Branch’s Soft Serve Ice Cream.

TenTalks
2-3 p.m.
Martin Chapel
The recipients of 黑料正能量鈥檚 2026 Alumni Awards share 10-minute talks and answer questions in a TED Talk-style format. This year鈥檚 presenters are Jonathan 鈥淜irk鈥� Livers 鈥�11 (Outstanding Young Alum), Cynthia 鈥淐indy鈥� Lapp 鈥�86 (Distinguished Service Award), and Eric Brubaker 鈥�01 and Trent Wagler 鈥�02 (Alumni of the Year). 

Royal City Celebration
4-6 p.m.
Thomas Plaza and the Front Lawn
Come hungry, bring your energy, and celebrate together at 黑料正能量鈥檚 biggest Homecoming gathering, featuring local food trucks, endless entertainment, and a spectacular live performance by The Steel Wheels! Ticket prices vary. RSVP requested.

Meet Me on the Quad: President鈥檚 Student Quad Party鈼�
9 p.m.
Woods Quad
President Dycus hosts a celebration for the student body.

Visit emu.edu/homecoming to learn about Saturday鈥檚 other events, including class reunions and after-parties, athletic events, planetarium viewings, the annual alumni baseball game, and when to stop by the Front Lawn for 黑料正能量 gear.

Sunday, Oct. 11

Homecoming Worship Service
10 a.m. 
Martin Chapel
Dr. Benjamin Bergey and the Chamber Singers lead worship in this reflective and meaningful service. 

Herm is sending out his Royal roar, calling all 黑料正能量 alumni, family, friends, students, and community members, both near and far, back to campus for Homecoming 2025 from Oct. 10-12.

This year’s lineup of events offers something for everyone, from the Royal City Celebration with local food trucks and live music, to an evening of a capella, and a pair of planetarium shows. That’s not to mention all the program and affinity gatherings, alumni and athletic awards, athletic events, TenTalks, and more!

The homecoming website is your complete source for events, updates, and registration. The deadline to register for those events marked with an asterisk (*) is Oct. 1.

黑料正能量’s alumni award winners and TenTalks presenters are:
Jess King ’96, Brittany Caine-Conley ’14, and Fabrice Guerrier MA ’15 (conflict transformation).

黑料正能量 Athletics will recognize four Hall of Honor inductees:
athletic events coordinator Phil Guengerich ’70, volleyball middle blocker Justin Reesor ‘10, soccer forward Mitchell Leap ’12, and basketball center David Falk ’15.  

Look for the 鈸� and  icons that denote a livestreamed event available on the and pages. You do not need an account to view these events.

Athletics events will be streamed through the website.

Here are a few highlights of the weekend. See the full schedule for more details.

Friday, Oct. 10

Golden Alumni Luncheon*鈸�
11:30 a.m-1:30 p.m.
Martin Chapel (Seminary Building)
Alumni who attended 黑料正能量 50 or more years ago (classes of 1975 and earlier) will gather for a program and luncheon that includes the induction of the class of ’75. Tickets are $25.

A Walk Down Memory Lane*
2-3 p.m.
Outdoor steps of Martin Chapel
This guided campus tour features stops at historic and modern spaces, including the new Track & Field Complex and recently renovated Student Union, Common Grounds Coffeehouse, and Admissions Office.

Friday’s reunions	Saturday’s reunions
Classes of ’65 and ’70* 2-4 p.m. Seminary Building 204聽LOCATION CHANGED TO:聽Campus Center – Greeting Hall Tickets are $10 Class of ’75*鈸� 2-4 p.m. Martin Chapel Class of ’80* 2-4 p.m. Campus Center Greeting Hall聽LOCATION CHANGED TO:聽Seminary Building 204 Tickets are $10	Class of ’95* 4-6 p.m. Sage Bird Ciderworks (325 N. Liberty St., Harrisonburg) HoCo “5s & 0s” After-Party* (Classes of 1985, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2020) 8:30-10:30 p.m. Capital Ale House (41-A Court Square, Harrisonburg) Tickets are $20

A Capella Celebration*鈸�
7:30 p.m.
Lehman Auditorium
Enjoy an evening of music with a special collaboration of local a capella groups. Tickets are $10.

Saturday, Oct. 11

Homecoming Kickoff Celebration 鈸�
9-9:45 a.m.
Lehman Auditorium
Kick off the day with a welcome from Interim President Rev. Dr. Shannon Dycus, live music, and tasty treats.

Hall of Honor Ceremony
10-11 a.m.
MainStage Theater (University Commons 170)
Celebrate the 2025 Hall of Honor inductees: athletic events coordinator Phil Guengerich ‘70, volleyball middle blocker Justin Reesor ’10, soccer forward Mitchell Leap ’12, and basketball center David Falk ’15.

COLOR RUN聽CANCELLED

Interim President Meet-And-Greet
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Campus Center greeting hall
Connect with 黑料正能量’s new interim president, Rev. Dr. Shannon Dycus, at this meet-and-greet.

Planetarium Viewings*
Discovery Room (Suter Science Center 101)
12:30-1:15 p.m. and 1:15-2 p.m.
Explore the cosmos with a demonstration of 黑料正能量’s planetarium projector, which was restored this spring by a group of 2025 engineering graduates for their senior capstone project.

黑料正能量 TenTalks 鈸�
1:30-2:30 p.m.
Martin Chapel
Prepare to be impacted, influenced, and inspired at this annual event, modeled after the world-famous TED Talks. For the first time in Homecoming history, this year’s TenTalks features 黑料正能量’s three alumni award winners鈥攙isionary artist and futurist Fabrice Guerrier MA ’15 (conflict transformation), organizer Brittany Caine-Conley ’14, and leader Jess King ’96鈥攚ho will be sharing their stories for 10 minutes each with a Q&A at the end.

Royal City Celebration
3-7 p.m.
Thomas Plaza and the Front Lawn
After a successful debut at last year’s Homecoming, this crowd favorite is back! All alumni and affinity groups are invited to the weekend’s largest gathering, featuring entertainment, live music from the Richmond-based , local food trucks, and plenty of fun.

Sunday, Oct. 12

Homecoming Worship Service 鈸�
10 a.m.
Martin Chapel
Dr. Benjamin Bergey, associate professor of music at 黑料正能量, leads worship in this reflective and meaningful service featuring music from the 黑料正能量 Chamber Singers.

*Registration required
鈸�  Livestream available on Facebook and YouTube