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GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY

Celebrating The years, Impacting The future.

Text graphic featuring the word "HOMECOMING" in bold white letters at the top and the year "2026" in large, stylized gold and black numbers below. The background is black.

October 14-18, 2026

Gallaudet University’s annual Homecoming event for the campus community and alumni to celebrate Gallaudet’s past, present, and future students, athletes, and alumni. Homecoming this year will take place on October 14-18, 2026. Save the date!

Proudly sponsored by Sorenson, whose generous support helps make Homecoming possible.

Logo of Sorenson, featuring the word "Sorenson" in white text alongside a geometric teal shape.
Students posing with each other for a group photo

Mark Your Calendar: Future Homecoming Dates

Join us on campus for a weekend of fun, festivities, and connection with the Gallaudet community.
  • October 14–18, 2026
  • October 14–16, 2027
  • October 19–21, 2028

Homecoming 2026 Event Calendar

The schedule is continuously being updated.
Check back often for the latest events and details.

Class of 1966
Rae Johnson 

Class of 1971
Helena Schmitt

Class of 1976
Dennise Scott

Class of 1981
Karen Sheffer Averett

Class of 1986
Bev Buchanan

Class of 1991
Chris Kenopic 

Class of 1996
Sherri Youens-Un

Class of 2001
Melinda Harrison Jones

Class of 2006
Julie Fisher

Class of 2011
Zane Fleming 

11:00 a.m. — 4:00 p.m.
Class of 1976 | Registration Check-In
Swindell Atrium, Kellogg Conference Hotel

For registered members of the Class of 1976 only.

7:00 p.m. — 11:00 p.m.
Class of 1976 | Kick-Off Celebration
Peikoff Alumni House, “Ole Jim”

For registered members of the Class of 1976 only.

9:00 a.m. — 12:00 p.m.
Class of 1976 | Archives/Schuchman Documentary Center
Peikoff Alumni House “Ole Jim”

For registered members of the Class of 1976 only.

2:00 p.m. — 3:30 p.m.
Alumni Emeriti Club Induction Ceremony
Kellogg Swindells Auditorium

Alumni from classes up to 1976 will be recognized for their 50+ years of loyalty, service, and support to Gallaudet University! Watch the momentous occasion as they are honored and inducted into the Alumni Emeriti Club

2:00 p.m. — 4:00 p.m.
Class of 2001 | Registration Check-In
Living and Learning Residence Hall 6 (LLRH6) CoLab

For registered members of the Class of 2001 only.

4:00 p.m. — 5:30 p.m.
55+ Registration Check-In
Kellogg Conference Hotel, Bistro

For registered members of the Classes of 1971, 1966, and 1961 only.

6:00 p.m. — 8:00 p.m.
Alumni BisonTank
Jordan Student Academic Center (SAC), MultiPurpose Room (MPR)

Similar to the TV show “Shark Tank,” Alumni BisonTank will feature seven alumni business owners competing for cash prizes to elevate their business to the next level! They will deliver a three-minute business pitch to a group of judges. Check out the future of our community!

7:00 p.m. — 10:00 p.m.
Class of 2001 Kickoff
It’s a surprise!

For registered members of the Class of 2001 only.

8:30 a.m.
50+ Class Photos
Chapel Hall Steps

Capture the moment with your classmates! Classes from 1961 to 1976 will take class photos on the famed Chapel Hall steps. Please show up promptly at 8:15 a.m.

9:30 a.m. — 11:00 a.m.
Gallaudet Future Projects Presentation
Andrew Foster Auditorium

Join us for a presentation by University Architect Richard Dougherty as he shares an inside look at Gallaudet’s upcoming campus projects. Don’t miss this opportunity to see what’s ahead for the Gallaudet campus!

11:30 a.m. — 1:00 p.m.
Class of 1976 | Golden Anniversary Luncheon
Peikoff Alumni House, “Ole Jim”

For registered members of the Class of 1975 only.

11:15 a.m. — 1:15 p.m.
Class of 2001 | Memory Lane Luncheon
Living and Learning Residence Hall 6 (LLRH6), CoLab

For registered members of the Class of 2001 only.

11:30 a.m. — 1:00 p.m.
55+ Luncheon (Classes 1971, 1966, and 1961)
Kellogg Conference Hotel, Bistro

For registered class members only.

1:30 p.m. — 3:00 p.m.
Veditz Debate: The Era Showdown
Hall Memorial Building Atrium

The Center for Democracy in Deaf America (CDDA) will host a fun debate with a current student representative, a representative from the Class of 2001, and a representative from the Class of 1976 to have a lively discussion on why their “time” is best. Come to cheer on, laugh, and pick a side!

3:00 p.m. — 5:00 p.m.
Third Annual Alumni vs. Students
Ely Patio

Organized by students in PER 350: Event Planning and Management, this fun and spirited event is a great opportunity for alumni to connect with current students—and prove that age and experience can outshine youth and exuberance! Alumni and students will go head-to-head in a variety of friendly competitions. More details and the registration form will be available in September.

7:00 p.m. — 8:00 p.m.
Pep Rally
Field House

Blurb: Ready to unleash your Buff and Blue spirit?! Join us at the Field House to witness Gallaudet students, alumni, faculty, and staff showcase our Bison spirit with cheer routines, class competitions, our famous Bison Song, and more!

8:00 p.m.
Alumni Bash
Kellogg Ballroom ABCD

Mix and mingle with other alumni all night after the pep rally. This year’s featured performers will be Beethoven’s Nightmare, as this will be their final performance at Gallaudet, where the band began in 1971.

10:30 a.m. — 11:30 a.m.
Class Photos
Chapel Hall Steps

Capture the moment with your classmates! Classes from 1981 to 2021 will take class photos on the famed Chapel Hall steps. Classes will be split into two times. Refer to the Class Reunion information tab or the Guidebook app for your class photo time.

12:00 p.m. — 4:00 p.m.
Beer Garden
Hotchkiss Field

Spend some time at our beer garden before and during the football game. Beer will be served only to people age 21 and older. Do not forget your ID!

12:15 p.m.
Class Parade
Hotchkiss Field

Watch our alumni celebrating their milestone class reunions this year walk the annual Homecoming lap around the Thomas O. Berg, ’44 & H-’97 track.

1:00 p.m.
Football Game
Hotchkiss Field
6:30 p.m.
Various Class Reunions

Celebrating your reunion this year? Refer to the “Class Reunion Information” tab or the Whova app for more info!

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! We have a block of rooms reserved at two nearby hotels. This is on a first-come, first-served basis. The following hotels are:

Hotel Nell
411 New York Ave NE
Washington, DC 20002

Courtyard Marriott
1325 2nd Street NE
Washington, DC 20002

Homewood Suites
501 New York Ave NE
Washington, DC 20002

Homecoming Booth Registration Form

The deadline to register your booth is Friday, October 3, 2025.

There are several ways you can get to our campus!

There is a metro stop nearby, NoMA/Florida Avenue station, which is within walking distance from our main entrance on Florida Avenue. To learn more about the metro system in Washington, DC, go to www.wmata.com.

Gallaudet provides a shuttle bus service from Union Station to the campus. Union Station serves as a big hub for our metro system and is also an Amtrak train station stop. To learn more about the shuttle bus service and its schedule: https://www.gallaudet.edu/transportation-department/shuttle-bus-services/continuous-shuttle-schedule

For real-time updates and live tracking, we encourage you to use the BusWhere app, which will reflect the schedule.

The nearest airport to the campus is Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Other large airports serving the Washington, DC metropolitan area are Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI) and Dulles International Airport (IAD).

A graphic featuring a blue background with the text "2021 HOMECOMING MEDIA KIT." The logo includes a bison and the phrase "Always a Bison" along with "Once a Bison" and "Est. 1964." In the background, there are smiling faces of people, suggesting a celebratory atmosphere.

Download our Homecoming Media Kit!

Create your own digital assets using our media kit, from templates to email signatures, you’ll have everything you need to celebrate Homecoming!
download now
A blue flyer is shown which contains the gallaudet logo and the phrase “Homecoming 2022” at the top. The buff colored event name reads, “Alumni Bash” Additional information below the event name reads, “Friday, October 21, 2022 | 9 p.m.-1 a.m. ET. Olmsted Green (White Tent). Cash Bar | Light Refreshments | Live DJ | Photos | Great Vibes & Conversations!” A white strip runs across the middle of the flyer with blue text inside that says, “Dj Kazeem. Jeevan Portraits.” The bottom of the flyer has an image of a dark-skinned man DJing on the left and on the right is a dark-skinned woman with long hair smiling straight ahead. The bottom of the flyer has a white strrip with blue text that reads, “Kazeem Babatunde, '09” on the bottom-left and “Neha Balachandran, '19 & G-'21” on the bottom-right.
A blue flyer is shown which contains the gallaudet logo and the phrase “Homecoming 2022” at the top. The buff colored event name reads, “Alumni BisonTank.” Additional information below the event name reads, “Thursday, October 20, 2022 | 4-8 p.m. ET. JSAC MultiPurpose Room. Business pitch competition featuring seven alumni entrepreneurs!” A white strip runs across the middle of the flyer with blue text inside that says, “More information at bisontank.com.” The bottom of the flyer has several images of people standing together for group photos, along with the BisonTank logo, which is an outline of a Bison.
A blue flyer is shown which contains the gallaudet logo and the phrase “Homecoming 2022” at the top. The buff colored event name reads, “Alumni of Color Reunion” Additional information below the event name reads, “Saturday, October 22, 2022 | 5 - 7 p.M. ET. Olmsted Green (White Tent). Meet, socialize, and connect with other Gallaudet alumni of color!” Awhite strip runs across the middle of the flyer with blue text inside that says, “for bipoc individuals, please respect their space.” The bottom of the flyer has three separate photos of mostly people of color sitting at their tables and posing together for the picture.
A blue flyer is shown which contains the gallaudet logo and the phrase “Homecoming 2022” at the top. The buff colored event name reads, “Casterline and Croneberg: Reframing the Stokoe Story” Additional information below the event name reads, “Friday, October 21, 2022 | 3:45 - 5:15 P.M. ET. Andrew FOSTER Auditorium. This presentation will share parts of their story and move the work of two brilliant Deaf scholars to the forefront, where Stokoe himself always wanted Casterline and Croneberg to be.” A white strip runs across the middle of the flyer with blue text inside that says, “Hosted by Gallaudet Linguistics Department.” The bottom of the flyer has an image of three people, Stokoe, Casterline, and Croneberg. All three are dressed nicely and within an office.
A blue flyer is shown which contains the gallaudet logo and the phrase “Homecoming 2022” at the top. The buff colored event name reads, “Emeriti Induction Ceremony” Additional information below the event name reads, “Thursday, October 20, 2022 | 2-3:30 p.m. ET. Kellogg Conference Hotel ballroom. Alumni from classes up to 1972 will be recognized for their 50+ years of loyalty, service, and support to Gallaudet!” A white strip runs across the middle of the flyer with blue text inside that says, “Celebrating 50+ years.” The bottom of the flyer has two images of two gold gallaudet alumni medallions.
A blue flyer is shown which contains the gallaudet logo and the phrase “Homecoming 2022” at the top. The buff colored event name reads, “Louise B. Miller Presentation” Additional information below the event name reads, “Saturday, October 22, 2022 | 10-11 a.M. ET. JSAC multipurpose room. Learn about the Louise B. Miller story and the legacy left behind for Black Deaf children!” A white strip runs across the middle of the flyer with blue text inside that says, “Honoring Our history.” The bottom of the flyer has a black and white photo of the Miller family dressed nicely. The family of three contains the mom in a blazer, dad in suit, tie, and hat, and the son in a suit and tie. The photo on the lower--right is a picture of Evon Black, a dark-skinned woman sporting an afro. On the bottom is a white strip with blue text that reads, “Presented by Evon Black, ’87 & G-’96”
A blue flyer is shown which contains the gallaudet logo and the phrase “Homecoming 2022” at the top. The buff colored event name reads, “LGBTQ+ Alumni Reunion” Additional information below the event name reads, “Saturday, October 22, 2022 | 7 - 9 p.M. ET. JSAC multipurpose room. Meet, socialize, and connect with other Gallaudet Gallaudet LGBTQ+ alumni!” A white strip runs across the middle of the flyer with blue text inside that says, “for LGBTQ+ individuals, please respect their space.” The bottom of the flyer has three photos of many people posing together for a group photo. They are holding the LGBTQ+ rainbow flag.
A blue flyer is shown which contains the gallaudet logo and the phrase “Homecoming 2022” at the top. The buff colored event name reads, “Then and Now. Panel Discussion” Additional information below the event name reads, “Friday, October 21, 2022 | 2-3 p.m. ET. Kellogg Swindells Auditorium. What was Gallaudet like in 1972, 1997, and 2022? Let's find out!” A white strip runs across the middle of the flyer with blue text inside that says, “Comparing different eras.” The bottom of the flyer has two images of Chapel Hall, the Chapel on the Left is black and white and from the ‘50s, the Chapel Hall on the right is modern day Chapel Hall.