Return. Relive. Renew.
Northwestern alums, it’s time to put on your purple & gold and return home for the ultimate Northwestern alumni event! Whether you’re celebrating a milestone reunion or just looking to reconnect, this is your chance to relive the best of campus life. Attend chapel, hear from fellow alums, enjoy tours and Alumni College Experiences, share a reunion lunch with alums from your decade, and make new memories. Plus, your registration fee includes a complimentary ticket to the Homecoming Showcase of the Arts and the Jazz Dessert Reception to top it all off.
REUNION is for adults only, but we’d love to see your family back on campus the following day for everything Homecoming Saturday has to offer. This is a chance to renew friendships, refresh your spirit, and soak in the nostalgia. We can’t wait to welcome you back!
Schedule
| Time | Event | Location |
| 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. | Alumni Ambassador Breakfast Invitation only. | Nazareth Great Room |
| 8:00 a.m. | Check-In Opens | Billy Graham Community Life Commons |
| 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. | REUNION Welcome Session Welcome, orientation, Q&A with President Hoornbeek, alumni spotlights, and more. | Nazareth Chapel |
| 10:30 – 11:10 a.m. | Chapel with Students Worship and live episode of The UNWavering Podcast. | Knight Performance Hall |
| 11:30 a.m. | REUNION Lunch & Golden Eagle Celebration Enjoy lunch with alums from your decade! Reconnect, share memories, and flip through past yearbooks. Plus, we’ll celebrate this year’s class of Golden Eagles — alumni marking 50 years since graduation. | Nazareth Great Room |
| 12:45 – 4 p.m. Time Slots:
| Alumni Campus Experiences See below for details. | Various |
| 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. | REUNION Closing Reception Refreshments, networking, closing remarks. | Totino Lobby |
| 4:00 p.m. | Alumni Choir Reunion Practice with students. | Totino Fine Arts Center Choir Room |
| 4:45 – 7:00 p.m. | 2026 Eagle Awards Invitation only. | Nazareth Great Room |
| 7:30 p.m. | Homecoming Showcase of the Arts Ticket included with REUNION. | Knight Performance Hall |
| 9:00 p.m. | Jazz Dessert Reception For Showcase attendees. | Billy Graham Community Life Commons |
| 9:00 p.m. | UNW-YA Homecoming Bonfire Young alum grads of past 5 years, separate sign-up. | The Island |
Weekend Speakers & Hosts
President Hoornbeek
Speaker
Dr. David K. Johnson
Keynote Speaker
Monte Abeler (’12)
Host
Cassie Plantage (’07)
Host
Alumni Campus Experiences (45-minutes each)
Nazareth & Island Chapel
Explore the 100-year history and thoughtful design of the Nazareth and Island Chapels. Dr. Mark Baden highlights the biblical symbolism found throughout — from stained glass to architecture — revealing the deeper story these sacred spaces tell.
Nazareth Tower Tour
A first-time experience for most alumni — enjoy access to the 105-foot Nazareth Tower and take in sweeping panoramic views of Lake Johanna and campus, an unforgettable vantage point from one of Northwestern’s most iconic landmarks.
Northwestern Nostalgia Tour
Take a walk down memory lane on this full-campus tour, visiting a student dorm, the Ericksen Center, athletic facilities, academic buildings, and the Billy Graham Community Life Commons, with nostalgic stops at the Student Center, The Rock, and Totino Fine Arts.
Alumni Campus Experiences Continued
Rediscover the joy of learning — hands-on! The Alumni Campus Experience invites you back to the classroom for a 45-minute, fully immersive session led by our expert faculty. But don’t expect to just sit and listen — you’ll be part of the action. Each session is designed to be experiential, lively, and deeply engaging, offering a fresh, memorable connection to the subjects (and professors) that make our campus special.
Theology Panel (Dr. Muska, Dr. Huffman, Dr. Bell) — Join a dynamic panel for a thought-provoking and honest conversation that invites you to see the Gospel with fresh eyes. Together, the panel will create space to reflect, ask questions, and deepen your understanding of Christ’s life and ministry. Come ready to be encouraged, stretched, and equipped to walk forward with greater clarity and conviction.
Radio/Podcast Experience (Mark Seignious) — Step into theMEL radio studio for 45 minutes of hands-on experience where creativity meets live production. You’ll get behind the mic, learn the basics of broadcasting, and experiment with music, voice work, and sound mixing using professional equipment. Whether you’re interested in hosting, storytelling, or just curious about how a show comes together, it’s an engaging, fast-paced environment that brings your voice to life.
Theatre Experience (Jennifer Hunter) — Step behind the curtain and experience the magic of theatre up close. Explore backstage, tour the costume shop, and discover how sets, lights, and costumes bring stories to life. Meet the creative team and gain a new appreciation for the artistry behind every performance.
Anatomage Experience (Dr. Bruce Simat) — Step into Dr. Simat’s biology class for a hands-on look at the cutting-edge Anatomage Table—an advanced virtual dissection tool revolutionizing how students study human anatomy. Whether you’re a science enthusiast or just curious, come see how this high-tech experience is transforming learning at UNW!
School of Nursing Experience (SON Faculty) — Experience what it’s like to be a nursing student through hands-on learning and real-world clinical skills. Discover how future nurses learn to provide compassionate, patient-centered care while developing strong bedside manner, communication, and confidence.
Milestone Class Reunions
Celebrate your graduation milestone with a special reunion! All attendees will gather for lunch with alumni from their Northwestern decade, where we’ll also honor those celebrating milestone reunion years, including classes ending in 6 (2016, 2006, 1996, and so on). We also invite graduates from 1976 and earlier to join us for a memorable 50-Year Golden Reunion. Whether you attended Northwestern at the Downtown Campus or our current site, we hope you’ll join us.
No matter your class year, it’s the perfect time to gather, reminisce, and celebrate your Northwestern legacy!
If you started your college journey with one class but graduated with a different class due to an accelerated or stretched-out schedule, join the reception of your preferred graduation class.
Northwestern Staff & Faculty Reunion
Current, former, and retired Northwestern staff and faculty are also invited to attend REUNION! Enjoy everything the event has to offer, including your own reunion lunch and tickets to the Showcase.
Registration & Rates
Join us for the best Alumni day of the year! REUNION rates include refreshments, lunch, experiences, tours, chapels, Showcase tickets, and an incredible time with fellow alums.
- Alumni Rate — $49
- Staff & Faculty (Current and former) Rate — $30
Register before September 1 and you’ll receive a FREE Northwestern alumni scarf!
FAQs
REUNION is an adults-only weekend where alumni can return to campus and relive their college days, but we highly recommend you bring your kids the following day to Homecoming Saturday, October 10. Lots of fun, specially designed for the entire family! Check out the full schedule!
Northwestern gear for sure! Overall, we’re keeping things pretty casual. Dress comfortably for autumn in Minnesota.
