Homecoming & Family Weekend 2024
Whether you are an alum, parent, or friend, Homecoming & Family Weekend brings everyone together for a weekend filled with fun and DeSales University spirit.
Friday, September 27
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 passports 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
5:00 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 2024 Hall of Fame Inductees will be announced soon.
Alumni Academic Receptions
7:00 p.m. — 9:00 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.
Saturday, September 28
Welcome Brunch for Parents & Families
10:00 a.m.
The Office of Alumni Relations invites you to join our University President Father James Greenfield, OSFS ’84 and connect with fellow families for brunch in our DeSales University Center to kickoff Homecoming & Family Weekend Saturday morning.
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.
Athletics
Field Hockey
Women's Soccer
Men's Soccer
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 Bulldog t-shirt!
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 that will be parked in the DUC parking lot until 5 p.m. Alumni, family, and friends can grab a bite or satisfy their sweet tooth!
Tailgating at the DeSales University Center
Reconnect with fellow alumni and families in the designated tailgating area 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.
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.
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. 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 ages 21 and older, $10.00 for guests ages 13-20, and All children ages 12 and younger are free to attend. Tickets must be purchased by September 22, 2024.
Additional Information
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. Hours will be announced.
