A Week of Reunions, Celebrations and Hockey Victories at DU Homecoming 2024
Students, alumni, friends and family came to campus last week to reconnect and celebrate all that makes the University special.
From alumni reunions and performances from student bands to the hockey home opener and the Crimson Classic 5K, DU’s Homecoming 2024 events brought hundreds of students, alumni, faculty and community members to campus last week. Here’s a look at some highlights.
A week of fun for students
Festivities began on Monday with karaoke and the return of the campus-wide DU Duck Hunt, which had students scouring Community Commons, Anderson Academic Commons and the residence halls to find yellow rubber ducks to turn in for prizes. At the Tuesday night Spiritual Supper Club, students cooked and shared meals from across cultures, religions and traditions. Wednesday featured ice cream sundaes and a lively Multicultural Block Party, offering opportunities for students to connect and celebrate.
That evening, the Hunter’s Full Moon Apartment Fest celebrated the October super moon and Halloween in DU’s apartment district, while the annual Homecoming OUT Dance provided an inclusive opportunity to dance and enjoy music.
Family and sports events draw crowds from campus and beyond
The excitement built throughout the week, culminating in Friday’s DU Palooza, a family-friendly festival on the Campus Green, featuring performances by student bands, Denver’s best food trucks and student exhibitions.
On Friday afternoon, 929 faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends put on their running shoes for the 12th annual Crimson Classic 5k Run and 1.5k Walk, with Nathan Arndt taking first place in the men’s alumni category, and Sonja L. winning in the women’s alumni category. Max Maronde and Abbey can Valkenburg came in first in the student category, and Jacob Rothman and Shanna Pomager won in the faculty and staff category.
DU’s triumphs on the field and rink were a major highlight of the week. Fans cheered on the men’s soccer team, who secured a 2-0 victory over Omaha and women’s soccer, who battled it out for a 1-1 tie. Women’s volleyball battled it out with Omaha, losing 3-2.
The Friday night hockey home opener was the first of back-to-back 5-2 victories over Northeastern, with Chancellor Jeremy Haefner and Captain McKade Webster making the ceremonial puck drops.
“What a great weekend of DU Athletics and Homecoming events!” Vice Chancellor for Athletics and Ritchie Center Operations Josh Berlo says. “The atmosphere all weekend in and around the Ritchie Center was buzzing for hockey, soccer and volleyball. That energy fueled the competition on the ice to earn our hockey program a top-20 sweep. Moreover, this homecoming weekend was about celebrating our record setting 10th national championship, and to do that in-front of two of the largest crowds in Magness history, especially the record-setting crowd on banner night, is a moment that will live on in #TENver history. At 4-0 through our first two series, the campaign for 11 is truly on, and we’re looking forward to hosting an old WCHA rival this weekend. Get your tickets early and we’ll see you in Magness for the Wisconsin series.”
On Saturday, the pregame Hocktoberfest offered family-friendly fun, with bounce houses, yard games and activities for kids. Community members reconnected at the beer garden, which featured a variety of alumni-owned brews, wines and spirits. Hockey fans enjoyed live music and DU giveaways that built excitement for the banner raising and the Pioneers’ battle against Northeastern in Magness Arena that evening.
Alumni reunite to support impactful work
Alumni, friends and colleagues reunited at the Morgridge College of Education’s (MCE) Homecoming Social, which gave attendees a chance to reconnect with faculty and celebrate the impactful work of MCE faculty.
Across campus, the DU Clarion, the University’s student newspaper, invited alumni to a reunion and celebration of the paper’s 125th year in production. They also hosted a series of inspiring masterclasses and discussions for alumni and current students, with notable alumni David Von Drehle (BA ’83), deputy opinion editor and columnist for the Washington Post, and Sara Castellanos (BA ’09), news editor on the Wall Street Journal’s live journalism team. Topics ranged from the role of artificial intelligence in journalism to the vital importance of trustworthy news in a democracy.
Connect with DU all year round
“With the launch of the Denver Difference campaign this year, it was great bringing everyone back to campus to see all the exciting things that are happening, ways that you can participate, opportunities to be engaged, involved, volunteer and give back to the university,” says Ben Hancock, associate vice chancellor of alumni engagement and career development.
Learn more about opportunities to reconnect and engage with the University.