Campus will soon be buzzing as Worcester State welcomes graduates and families for its Homecoming and Family Weekend 2025 Oct. 3-4.
The weekend kicks off on Friday, Oct. 3 with special guest speaker Martin Espada, a National Book Award winning poet and professor of English at University of Massachusetts -Amherst. The entire Worcester State community is invited to join as Professor Espada reads from his new collection, Jailbreak of Sparrows (Knopf, 2025) on Oct. 3 at 2 p.m. in the Blue Lounge.
On Saturday, families, students and alumni will gather for a fun-filled day of activities and the Homecoming football game at 1:30 p.m. v. Westfield State. Here is the complete lineup of events:
Family Day at Worcester State
Parents, guardians, siblings and grandparents of Worcester State students are invited to enjoy a day of fun at Worcester State hosted by
Student Affairs. Register here if you plan to attend.
Family Day Brunch – From 10:30am-noon in the Sheehan Dining Hall! Free brunch tickets are limited to first-come, first-served.
Family Fun Fair & Animal Farm – From 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.. Activities, photo ops, and food trucks.
Family Day Bingo – From 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. A campus favorite. Play bingo, win prizes!
Homecoming Football Game – 1:30 p.m. John Coughlin Memorial Field vs. Westfield State
Homecoming Weekend Friday Oct. 3 – Saturday, Oct. 4
Alumni and their families are invited back to campus for a variety of family-fun activities and social events.
Poetry Reading with Martin Espada – Friday, Oct. 3 at 2 p.m., Blue Lounge in the Student Center. Open to all students and alumni.
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to hear from one of the most decorated, influential poets of our time. Professor Espada will give a 45-minutereading followed by a book-signing and reception. Sponsored by the Worcester State Foundation, the Latino Education Institute, the Office of Multicultural Affairs, the Honors Program, and the Departments of World Languages, English, and Interdisciplinary Studies.
Distinguished Alumni Awards Ceremony, Friday Oct. 3, DeFeudis Wellness Center, Cocktail Reception 5:30 pm -6:30 pm. The program and dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m. This signature event honors alumni who have made outstanding contributions to their professions, communities, and alma mater. Read more about this year’s five Distinguished Alumni Awards winners: Ken Bates ’87, Outstanding Professional Achievement; Craig Dottin ’94, M.Ed. ’02, ’13: Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Education; Paul Davis ’57, M.Ed. ’59: Outstanding Service to Alma Mater; Charran Fisher ’02: Outstanding Volunteer Service to the Community; and Omer Rafiq ’14: Outstanding Young Alumnus. Registration is required.
Homecoming Experience, Saturday, Oct. 4 in the Student Center lot from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Alumni are invited to enjoy a festive mixof activities for all ages, including a bouncy house, caricature artist, classic games and food trucks.
Former classmates reunite at Homecoming
Harvest and Blooms Flower Bar and Cider – Saturday, Oct. 4 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. in the Student Center lot. Join Worcester State alumna Samantha Paradis, owner of the floral boutique Sam’s Stems, for a hands-on session in creating your own fall-inspired floral arrangement in Lancer blue and gold. Complimentary cider and sweet treats will be available to while you create. Please note, supplies are limited—so be sure to stop by early to participate. Hosted by the Office of Alumni Relations, this workshop is open to students and alumni.
Homecoming Game and VIP Endzone Tent. Saturday, Oct. 4, 1:30 p.m., Coughlin Field. The VIP Endzone Tent, sponsored by Pepsi and by invitation only, honors athletics donors with an exclusive gameday experience featuring alumni-owned Courthouse Brew’s signature craft beer and seltzer, paired with complimentary food.
Office of Multicultural Affairs Alumni Reception and Black Violin Concert, Saturday, Oct. 4 at Hanover Theater. Pre-event Reception begins at 6 p.m., show begins at 7:30 p.m. Join President Barry Maloney and fellow OMA alumni for a special evening at The Hanover Theatre featuring a performance by the acclaimed Black Violin, a Grammy nominated classical-meets-hip hop musical duo. Registration required.
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