Wine tasting with alumni vintners, a captivating Conservatory concert, key athletic matchups and an all new vow renewal ceremony are among the dozens of activities planned for alumni, families and students during Homecoming and Family Weekend Oct. 14-16 on the Stockton Campus. 

“We are thrilled to welcome our alumni back to campus,” said Kelli Williams Page ’87, associate vice president for alumni relations. “Students at Pacific form life-long connections and this is a great chance for alumni to reconnect with each other and their professors. It is also an opportunity for the families of our new students to experience how special it is to be part of the Pacific community.” 

Most events are free to attend and registration is open through Oct. 1. 

This year’s homecoming includes new and traditional events and activities.

Weekend highlights

Friday

A sell-out last year, the Tiger Tasting craft beer sampling will be held Friday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. and this year adds a new VIP option that includes a guided tour through the tastings by McGeorge Professor Dan Croxall, a leading scholar on craft beer law.

The Orange and Black Ball, the annual major fundraiser which supports student athletes in Pacific’s 17 sports programs, will be held Friday night at 6 p.m. with live and silent auctions, dinner and dancing.

A family-friendly movie under the stars on the DeRosa University Center lawn, a new event, will begin at 8 p.m.

Saturday

Saturday morning festivities kick-off at 8 a.m. with the popular Tiger Dash, a 5K race around the beautiful Stockton Campus for participants of all abilities. Children are encouraged to join in the half-mile Cub Run.

At 11 a.m. President Christopher Callahan will share his vision for the future of Pacific during Champagne with the President on Baxter Walkway near the Alex and Jeri Vereschagin Alumni House.

The popular Food Truck Frenzy and tailgate gets underway at 12 p.m. and features new dining options. Pacific’s newly renovated food truck also will be on hand.

In an afternoon of spirited match-ups, the women’s volleyball team will take on Brigham Young University, the defending West Coast Conference champions, at noon and Pacific’s men’s water polo team will play conference rival Pepperdine University at 1 p.m. 

The women's volleyball game will reunite many of the players from Pacific's storied teams from the 1980s and 1990s.

The returning players and coaches will be honored during the match with special focus on players from the nine teams that finished among the top four in the nation. A post-match reception with the 2022 team will be held at the Eve Zimmerman Tennis Center. Three former players have daughters on the current team. 

Taste of Pacific, one of the weekend’s highly sought-after events, features wine tasting from alumni vintners paired with gourmet food and music starting at 4:30 p.m. Attendees will receive a commemorative wine glass to celebrate the success of Pacific’s historic “Leading with Purpose” capital campaign, which exceeded its goal and raised more than $317 million.

“Taste of Pacific is one of my favorite parts of homecoming weekend,” said alumnus Robert Endow ’08. “It’s great to be outside on Knoles Lawn listening to music, enjoying some wine and catching up with old friends.” 

Pacific Prism, a unique fast-paced concert, will captivate attendees Saturday at 7 p.m. The annual sell-out showcases the immense talent and imagination of the Conservatory of Music’s students and faculty.

Tigers Got Talent (previously known as Band Frolic and Lip Sync) brings top student talent to the stage Saturday night at 8 p.m. and includes energetic lip sync performances.

“Every year, I am so amazed by how fun and unified our student life is on campus and I am so excited to see them on the stage,” said business major Sahila Shah ’23.

Sunday

Capping off the weekend is an alumni vow renewal at 11 a.m. at the iconic Morris Chapel. Director of Religious and Spiritual Life Kim Montenegro will lead the ceremony.

“Vow renewal is brand new to our Homecoming schedule this year,” (Williams) Page said. “Our records indicate that there are at least 4,280 alumni who met their spouse at Pacific. We are inviting alumni to join us to renew their wedding vows and recommit to their favorite Tiger this homecoming.”

More offerings

Numerous events will be held throughout the weekend, including open houses for each school and college where attendees can meet the deans and faculty. Many emeriti faculty will return for the events.

The reimagined Center for Identity and Inclusion will have its grand opening and ribbon cutting 2 p.m. Saturday. The space, formerly known as the Office of Intercultural Student Success, offers a central hub and support services for members of cultural, LGBTQ and gender-focused identity groups.

Alumni also can explore other recently renovated spaces.

“I encourage alumni and all attendees to explore the reimagined library and Calaveras Hall, while visiting familiar spots that connect us to a current generation of Tigers,” said Pacific Alumni Association President Julian Toro-Solis ’08, ’10.

Marking milestones

Several of Pacific’s classes, schools and organizations will be celebrating milestone anniversaries this year.

•    Class of 1997 (25-year reunion)
•    Class of 2012 (10-year reunion)
•    Class of 2022 (0-year reunion)
•    Eberhardt School of Business (45th anniversary)
•    School of Engineering and Computer Science (65th anniversary)
•    Beta Theta Pi fraternity (10th anniversary)
•    Black Alumni Club (15th anniversary)
•    Alpha Chi Omega sorority (60th anniversary)