Homecoming 2026
The Future is Purple
Thank you so much for helping us celebrate The Future is Purple! Homecoming 2026 allowed us to look ahead to the next 150 years of preparing students and alumni to impact Iowa and beyond, and celebrate the UNI Sesquicentennial grand finale. Watch for more events in the coming months that honor the traditions, history and uniqueness of our Panther family, then join us for Homecoming 2027.
Community Events & Accommodations
The Cedar Valley has a number of accommodations, dining options and activities available for UNI friends, family and alumni who will be joining us for Homecoming!
Community Information
Homecoming Contacts
Full Calendar of Events
Sesquicentennial Goosechase | Sept. 29-Oct. 11
Download the Goosechase app and enter the join code. Complete these challenges to earn points for the chance to win a prize! Participants receive one entry to the prize drawing per 1,000 points.
- Join code: KDF3S5
Monday, Sept. 29
Office/Residence Hall Decorating
Show your homecoming pride by decorating your campus office or residence hall community! Judges will view your space on Monday, Sept. 29, and announce winners of various categories on the Wednesday of Homecoming. Registration deadline is Wednesday, Sept. 17 at 12am.
First Ringing of the Sesquicentennial Bell
11 a.m. | Commons Plaza
Join us for the official kick-off of the Sesquicentennial Celebration with the inaugural chimes of the Sesquicentennial Bell.
Sesquicentennial Kick-Off Lunch (UNI students, faculty and staff only)
11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. | Campanile Lawn/Lawther Field
Free lunch for faculty, staff and students celebrating the official launch of the Sesquicentennial Celebration. Ring the Sesquicentennial Bell, enjoy the student org carnival, and be a part of the "150" photo.
Sesquicentennial Museum Exhibit Opening
1 p.m. | UNI Museum, Rod Library
Celebrate the opening of the Sesquicentennial exhibit at the UNI Museum.
Outdoor Movie
7:30-9:30 p.m. | Campanile Lawn/Lawther Field
Join CATS and the UNI Alumni Association and Foundation for an outdoor movie with trivia. First 150 students who check in will receive a UNI 150th blanket. Grab some free popcorn and watch Wall-E with us!
Tuesday, Sept. 30
Traditions Challenge Amazing Race (UNI Students, faculty & staff only)
4:30 p.m. | Maucker Union Rooftop
Connecting Alumni to Students (CATS) will host the 16th annual Traditions Challenge Amazing Race this year. Teams of five students, faculty, or staff will race to complete UNI traditions in this unique cross-campus scavenger hunt.
Team check-in begins at 4 p.m. The race begins promptly at 4:30 p.m. Registration deadline is Sept. 25.
Thursday, Oct. 2
GOLD & Bold Award Ceremony
11:45 a.m. | Maucker Union Coffeehouse
Celebrate and learn from three young alumni and changemakers! The UNI Alumni Association will recognize Grant Helle, '20, Juana Hollingsworth, '16, and Sarah Huebner, '16 as the 2025 GOLD & Bold Award recipients. Be inspired by a 10-minute TED-style talk from this year's GOLD & Bold Award nominees. Learn more about the GOLD & Bold Award.
UNI Architectural Walking Tour
3:30 p.m. | Bartlett Courtyard, near Commons
This one-hour walking tour (approximately 1.25 miles) focuses on the unique exterior features of historic buildings on the UNI campus. Distinct interior spaces will also be part of the tour. Sponsored by the UNI Sesquicentennial Committee and the Cedar Falls Historic Preservation Commission.
Distinguished Award Ceremony
7 p.m. | GBPAC
Join us as we celebrate 150 years of the University of Northern Iowa and honor this year’s exceptional alumni, faculty and friends at the 2025 Distinguished Awards Ceremony. Past honorees will be recognized during the ceremony as a part of the special milestone celebration.
Friday, Oct. 3
Golden Graduate Reunion - Class of 1975
1-2:30 p.m. Tours; 3 - 4:30 p.m. Ceremony | Maucker Union Ballroom
Rod Library 60th Anniversary Celebration
3-5 p.m. | Rod Library
Rod Library Then & Now: Celebrating 60 years at the heart of campus. Join us for cupcakes, exhibits, and add your entry to our memory book!
Celebrate with CSBS!
4-6 p.m. | Gallagher Bluedorn Marquee Lounge
Join CSBS faculty, staff, alumni and friends for a relaxed and memorable Homecoming gathering to kick off UNI’s Sesquicentennial and celebrate 45 years of impact in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.
Homecoming Bash and Sesquicentennial Celebration
5 - 9 p.m. | Central Campus
Take part in this family-friendly outdoor festival and the start of UNI’s year-long Sesquicentennial Celebration. Catch up with your college, get dinner from local food trucks and don’t miss the door prizes! The concert begins at 7 p.m. with fireworks to follow!
UNI Architectural Walking Tour
5:30 p.m. | Bartlett Courtyard, near Commons
This one-hour walking tour (approximately 1.25 miles) focuses on the unique exterior features of historic buildings on the UNI campus. Distinct interior spaces will also be part of the tour. Sponsored by the UNI Sesquicentennial Committee and the Cedar Falls Historic Preservation Commission.
Homecoming Dance Party (UNI Students only)
9 p.m. | Campanile Plaza
Homecoming Dance Party - Join us for an unforgettable night at the annual Homecoming Dance Party! Come to the Campanile Plaza and get ready to dance the night away with our live DJ, back by popular demand, UNI Alumni Ian Goldsmith! Capture memories at our photo booth, enjoy delicious refreshments, and celebrate school spirit with friends old and new.
Campaniling
Midnight | Campanile Plaza
Saturday, Oct. 4
Homecoming 5K Run/Walk
8 a.m. | Campanile Plaza
Panther Pacers is hosting its annual Homecoming 5K run/walk at the newly renovated Campanile Plaza. Register by Sept. 15 to guarantee a shirt or up to the day of the race.
Panthers at the Plaza
10:30 - 11 a.m. | River Place Plaza
Join us before the parade for fun, yard games and Panther pride, hosted by Rod Library.
Homecoming Parade
11 a.m. | Downtown Cedar Falls
Join us in downtown Cedar Falls as we celebrate Panthers Through Time. UNI departments, groups and organizations as well as businesses and groups from the general public are invited to be in the parade. Everyone is invited to watch the parade.
UNI Women's Rugby vs. Wisconsin
11 a.m. | UNI Rugby Fields
UNI Swimming and Diving Purple and Gold Intrasquad Meet
Noon | Glen F. Henry Swimming and Diving Pool
Dept of Communication Sciences & Disorders/Roy Eblen Speech & Hearing Clinic Open House
12:30-1:30 p.m. | Communication Arts Center (CAC) 2nd Floor Roy Eblen Speech & Hearing Clinic
Softball vs. Rock Valley
1 p.m. | Robinson-Dresser Sports Complex
Volleyball vs. Murray State
1 p.m. | McLeod Center
Hy-Vee Fan Zone
1 - 3:30 p.m. | West UNI-Dome Parking Lot
Join the UNI Alumni Association, UNI Athletics, and Cedar Falls Hy-Vee in the west UNI-Dome parking lot for a free family-friendly tailgate. Includes free food from Hy-Vee (while supplies last), games, and giveaways.
Football vs. North Dakota
4 p.m. | UNI-Dome
Calendar of Events
Monday, Oct. 5
Our Tomorrow Campus Lunch
11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. | Campanile Lawn/Lawther Field
Free lunch for faculty, staff and students celebrating the conclusion of the Our Tomorrow campaign.
Outdoor Movie
7:30 - 9:30 p.m. | Campanile Lawn
Join CATS and the UNI Alumni Association and Foundation for an outdoor movie with trivia.
Tuesday, Oct. 6
Office/Residence Hall Decorating
Show your homecoming pride within your campus office or residence hall community! Judges will look to view your space on Tuesday, October 6 and announce winners of various categories the Wednesday of Homecoming. Registration deadline is Wednesday, September 23 at 12 a.m.
Traditions Challenge Amazing Race
4:30 p.m. | Maucker Union Rooftop
Connecting Alumni to Students (CATS) will host the 17th annual Traditions Challenge Amazing Race this year. Teams of five students, faculty or staff will race to complete UNI traditions in this unique cross-campus scavenger hunt. Team check-in begins at 4 p.m. The race begins promptly at 4:30 p.m. Registration deadline is September 25.
Wednesday, Oct. 7
Standard Pour Challenge
11 a.m. - 1 p.m. | MU Coffeehouse
Test your knowledge during the Standard Pour Challenge! Common drink containers will be on a table for students, faculty and staff to guess what a standard pour size is depending on the drink. The purpose of the activity is to better monitor their BAC. There will also be resources available for students to take with them
UNI Architectural Walking Tour
5 - 7 p.m. | Bartlett Courtyard near Commons
This walking tour (approximately 1.25 miles) is curated by students from the public history program and will focus on the unique exterior features of historic buildings on the UNI campus. Distinct interior spaces will also be part of the tour. Sponsored by the UNI Sesquicentennial Committee and the Cedar Falls Historic Preservation Commission
Thursday, Oct. 8
GOLD & Bold Award Ceremony
11:45 a.m. | Maucker Union Coffeehouse
Join us to celebrate and learn from three of our own young alumni and changemakers! Be inspired by a 10 minute TED-style talk from this year's GOLD & Bold Award nominees. Learn more about the GOLD & Bold Award.
Volleyball vs. Drake
6:00 p.m. | McLeod Center
Sesquicentennial Arts Showcase
7:30 p.m. | GBPAC
Honor the impact of UNI’s arts programs as we bring the sesquicentennial celebration to a close. Enjoy performances from the School of Music and TheatreUNI, including the debut of a new composition by emeritus professor Dr. Rebecca Burkhardt, created specially for the occasion.
Friday, Oct. 9
Homecoming Bash
5 - 9:30 p.m. | Central Campus
Take part in a family-friendly outdoor Homecoming festival and be part of the conclusion of the year-long UNI Sesquicentennial Celebration and celebrate the success of Our Tomorrow: The Campaign for UNI. Enjoy food trucks, inflatables, a pep rally, an outdoor concert with The Schmidt Brothers and an aerial drone show finale.
Homecoming Dance Party
9:00 p.m. | Campanile Plaza
Join us for an unforgettable night at the annual Homecoming Dance Party! Come to the Campanile Plaza and get ready to dance the night away with our live DJ, back by popular demand, UNI Alumni Ian Goldsmith, '13! Celebrate school spirit with friends old and new.
Campaniling
12 a.m. | Campanile Plaza
Saturday, Oct. 10
Homecoming 5K Run/Walk (Panther Pacers)
8 a.m. | Campanile Plaza
Panther Pacers is hosting its annual Homecoming 5K run/walk at the newly renovated Campanile Plaza. Register by September 20th to guarantee a shirt or up to the day of the race.
Parade
11 a.m. | Downtown Cedar Falls
Men's Soccer Club vs. Iowa State
11 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Soccer fields west of UNI-Dome
UNI ROTC Alumni Homecoming Banquet
12:30 - 2:30 p.m. | Nielsen Field House
This homecoming, we invite UNI ROTC alumni, family members, cadets and supporters to reconnect and celebrate the Panther Battalion as the University of Northern Iowa marks its 150th anniversary. Please RSVP by emailing uni-rotc@uni.edu or calling 319-273-7648.
Men's Rugby Club vs. UW-Whitewater
1 - 3 p.m. | Rugby fields west of UNI-Dome
Hy-Vee Fan Zone
1 - 3:30 p.m. | West UNI-Dome Parking Lot
Join the UNI Alumni Association, UNI Athletics and Cedar Falls Hy-Vee in the west UNI-Dome parking lot for a free family-friendly tailgate. Includes free food from Hy-Vee (while supplies last), games and giveaways.
Football vs. UND
4:00 p.m. | UNI-Dome
Sunday, Oct. 11
Soccer vs. Valpo
1:00 p.m. | UNI Soccer Field
Join us for a reunion
Celebrate with fellow Panthers at one of our many alumni reunions taking place throughout Homecoming weekend. Find the gathering that matches your UNI connection and make plans to join us back on campus.