Homecoming & Family Weekend 2023

Scavenger Hunt

Throughout the day

Alumni, families, and friends are welcome to participate in a scavenger hunt which leads them on a tour around campus. Participants can pick up their Scavenger Hunt passport at the DeSales University Center or at any of our scavenger hunt locations. Those who see the designated sights around campus and turn in their completed passport will be entered into a raffle drawing for a prize.

Hall of Fame Reception and Dinner

6:00 p.m. at DeSales University Center

The DeSales University Athletic Hall of Fame was created to identify, honor and recognize players, coaches, administrators and teams who have distinguished themselves through intercollegiate athletics or have brought honor to the University through its team's accomplishments in athletics. This year, we are excited to welcome seven new members and celebrate their athletic accomplishments.

The 2023 Hall of Fame Inductees are:

• Mike Halamar '00 — Men's Soccer
• Courtney McClurkin '08 — Women's Tennis
• Gina (Malatesta) Meehl '06 — Field Hockey
• Nolan Neiman '05 — Baseball
• Donna (Luft) Noll '91 — Women's Basketball
• Kerri (Andrews) Williams '11 — Softball & Volleyball

Register for the Hall of Fame Reception

Alumni Academic Receptions

6:30 p.m. — 8:00 p.m. in the Gambet Center

The Alumni Academic Reception is a great way to network with fellow alumni and reconnect with DeSales faculty. Alumni from all programs, including traditional undergraduate, Adult Studies (formerly ACCESS), master’s and doctoral, are invited to attend. Join us at the Gambet Center from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. for great conversation, hors d’oeuvres, music, and an open bar of beer, wine, and specialty drinks! It is free to attend, but registration is required.

Register For Alumni Academic receptions

Welcome Brunch for Parents & Families

10:00 a.m.

DeSales University Parents Association invites you to join our University President Father James Greenfield, OSFS ’84 and connect with fellow families at a brunch in our DeSales University Center to kickoff Homecoming & Family Weekend Saturday.

Register for the Welcome Brunch

Annual Chemistry Demonstration Program

11:00 a.m. — Hurd Auditorium, Priscilla Payne Hurd Science Center

The demonstrations are a treat for all the senses and include over a dozen highly visual and entertaining experiments such as Fire Tornado, Mad Scientists, Freezing Fish, Invincible Snowballs, Ping Pong Predicament, and making and tasting liquid nitrogen ice cream. The colorful and explosive presentations are designed to be visually interesting and exciting, as well as illustrative of important but easily understood chemical concepts.

These demonstrations are presented by DeSales science students, faculty, and staff.

Due to the overwhelming response, the Annual Chemistry Demonstrations Program is sold out. If you are interested in attending, please contact Dan Villanti at daniel.villanti@desales.edu.

Athletics

Field Hockey - 11:00 AM
DeSales Bulldogs vs Roanoke Maroons

Women's Soccer - 12:00 PM
DeSales Bulldogs vs Washington College

Men's Soccer - 2:30 PM

Kids Zone, Tailgating, and Food Trucks

12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Kids Zone in Billera Hall

All family and friends are invited to join us for our annual Kids Zone featuring pumpkin decorating, inflatables, cotton candy, and more. The first 100 registered kids 12 & under will receive a free Future Bulldogs t-shirt!

Register for Kids Zone

Food Trucks at Billera Hall and the DeSales University Center Parking Lot

Specialty food items will be available for purchase from multiple Lehigh Valley food trucks including Meat Wagon BBQ, Take a Taco, and Kona Ice. Food trucks will be parked in the DUC parking lot until 5 p.m. for alumni, family, and friends to grab a bite or satisfy their sweet tooth!

Tailgating at the DeSales University Center

Reconnect with fellow alumni and families in a special area for tailgating in the DeSales University Center parking lot. Registration online is required to reserve your parking spot as spaces are limited. The tailgating lot is BYOB, but no glass bottles or kegs are permitted. Please make sure to bring your ID. If you are not planning to park in the DeSales University Center, registration is not necessary. All those 21 & older are welcome.

Tailgating passes are sold out. Non-passholders may still participate in the tailgate but cannot park in the designated tailgating lot.

Scavenger Hunt

Throughout the day

Alumni, families, and friends are welcome to participate in a scavenger hunt which leads them on a tour around campus. Participants can pick up their Scavenger Hunt passport at the DeSales University Center or at any of our scavenger hunt locations. Those who see the designated sights around campus and turn in their completed passport will be entered into a raffle drawing for a prize.

Alumni Leadership and Service Soiree

1:00 p.m. in the Kender & Danko Conference Rooms in Dorothy Day

Join fellow alumni from Student Engagement and Leadership, Center for Faith and Justice, and the Career Development Center for a cocktail soiree reconnecting with current staff, students, and alumni.

Register for the leadership and service soiree

Ribbon Cutting and Blessing of the New TV/Film Addition

4:00 p.m. Labuda Center for the Performing Arts (Enter at the New TV/Film Entrance)

As the University continues to grow, the Labuda Center for the Performing Arts had a need to grow as well. Join us as we cut the ribbon and bless the new TV/Film addition to Labuda. A new screening room, space for equipment, faculty offices, and best of all—a new virtual production studio that marks the leading edge and future of filmmaking. Used on shows such as “The Mandalorian” and “Star Trek: Discovery,” this state-of-the-art technology came to DeSales through a collaboration between TV/Film and the Computer Science/Digital Arts program. Performing Arts Division Head Anne Lewis ’80 will welcome you, and members of the TV/Film and Computer Science faculty will be on hand as well.

Register for the Ribbon Cutting

Memorial Mass

5:00 p.m. in Connelly Chapel

Gather together in Connelly Chapel as we remember our deceased alumni. 

Alumni & Family Reception and Fireworks

6:00 p.m. at the DeSales University Center

Join us at Billera Hall for our annual Alumni and Family Reception. Live entertainment by DeSales alumna Cathy Ritter ’20 and band, The Audiofiles. Our annual fireworks show will light up the DeSales University sky beginning at 7:30 p.m. Live entertainment, food buffets, and bars will be open until 8:30 p.m. as we reconnect and celebrate together.

Tickets to the alumni and family reception are $20.00 for guests age 21 and older, $10.00 for guests ages 13-20, and All children ages 12 and younger are free to attend. Because more than 150 young alumni gave during Hearts on Fire Day of Giving 2023, the Young Alumni Challenge was unlocked and young alums (2013 – 2023) attend for free. Registration is still required. Tickets must be purchased by September 18.

Register for the alumni and family reception and fireworks

Hotels

See a list below of hotels near DeSales University. Rooms are subject to availability.

Hyatt Place Allentown - Lehigh Valley
621 Grange Road
Allentown, PA 18106
610-387-1000

SpringHill Suites by Marriott
3800 West Drive
Center Valley, PA 18034
610-709-9797

Homewood Suites by Hilton
3350 Center Valley Parkway
Center Valley, PA 18034
610-351-6400

Transportation

UBER and LYFT are available in the Lehigh Valley—download the apps and schedule your pick up times for quick and easy transportation to and from campus.

Campus Store

During Homecoming and Family Weekend, the campus store will be open for the following hours:

• Friday, September 22: 10:00am —8:00pm
• Saturday, September 23: 11:00am — 6:00pm