Homecoming Weekend Schedule
Homecoming Weekend: Oct. 3-5, 2025
See the schedule breakdown for each day below, a registration link, and info on lodging, dining and other information under general information.
Please note that the schedule is subject to change. A final schedule will be emailed to registrants prior to Homecoming and can be viewed here as details are finalized.
Event Time Location Event Information Homecoming Explore Goshen Day 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Welcome Center, Union Lobby Registration required at goshen.edu/visit.
There will be opportunities for high school students to attend classes, tour campus and interact with a student panel of current students.
Meet and Greet 9:30 – 9:45 a.m.
Welcome Center, Union Lobby
Meet and greet for prospective students, grandparents, parents and siblings of current students. Coffee available.
Homecoming Convocation
10 a.m.
Church-Chapel, Sanctuary
This special convocation will feature 2025 alumni award recipients:
Culture for Service Awards - Raj Biyani ’92, Bellevue, Washington; Gerald Schlabach ’79, Grand Marais, Michigan;
Young Alumni Servant Leadership Award -- Kate Friesen ’14 and Scott Kempf ’11, Goshen, Indiana
Champions of Character Awards -- Tony Janzen ’08, Goshen, Indiana; Mary Hartzler ’70 , Columbus, Ohio
Read more about the awardees.
Click here to watch a livestream of the event.
Reception for Alumni Award Recipients
10:45 a.m.
Church-Chapel, Fellowship Hall
Student Music Recital
12 p.m.
Music Center, Rieth Recital Hall
Alumni and Family Bicycle Ride
1 p.m.
Meet at Schrock Plaza fountain
Ride Goshen’s Pumpkinvine Bike Trail with other alumni, friends and families. Choose rides from a few miles to up to 35 miles. Groups will form going different speeds and distances.
Registration encouraged.
Attend Class
1 – 4 p.m.
Parents and grandparents may choose to attend a class with your current student during this time. As a courtesy to professors and to ensure there is room for visitors, your student will need to speak with the professor about your classroom visit ahead of time or you can connect with the Admissions Office to see a list of available classes.
Campus Tours
1 and 2 p.m.
Welcome Center
New to campus or just want to see what has changed? Join us for a 40-minute walking tour of campus. Tours leave the Welcome Center at 1 and 2 p.m.
Road Trip to Goshen College’s Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center
1 – 5 p.m.
Welcome Center, leaving from the South end of the Union Building
Ride in a GC bus to Merry Lea and tour some of the Merry Lea facilities and learn more about all of the amazing programs that are part of this GC gem. Bus will leave from campus at 1 p.m. and return by 5 p.m. or you can drive on your own, if you’d prefer. Registration required.
Nyai Oyer Gamelan Demonstration
4 – 5 p.m.
Union building, Gamelan Room
Marcia Yost, director of the arts, will provide an introduction to our Indonesian gamelan. This beautiful set of instruments was gifted to the college in memory of Duane Gingerich ’69 and in honor of Dr. Mary Oyer ’45. Come learn more about the journey that brought this gift to Goshen, the instruments and GC’s plans for it. You will even have a chance to play it.
Class of 1975 – 50th Anniversary Dinner
4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Church-Chapel, Fellowship Hall
Cost: $25, Registration required
Celebrate 50 golden years! We will be taking your class photo at 4:45 p.m., so come in time for that. This is a chance to connect with your classmates over dinner and a short program. President Stoltzfus will be there to welcome you.
Tour of the Goshen Printmakers Guild (downtown Goshen)
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
213 S. Main Street, Goshen (enter in the back, off public parking lot B, next to Fables Books)
Meet the alumni owners of Goshen’s Printmakers Guild, learn about the old-school presses and other equipment, and see the English Department’s Vandercook press in action!
Lavender Jazz Set 7 p.m. Downtown Goshen, Goshen Theater
Join GC’s very own Lavender Jazz for this fun event during Goshen’s monthly First Friday evening. There will be drinks and snacks available to purchase in the lobby.
Learn more about the City of Goshen’s monthly First Friday events at downtowngoshen.org
One Act Play – Las Nuevas Tamaleras by Alicia Mena
8 p.m.
Umble Center
Cost: No tickets needed, free and open to the public
A charming bilingual holiday tradition from San Antonio arrives in Goshen a little early, but hilarious as ever. This short comedy reminds us of the importance of cultural traditions, especially those involving gossip and cooking. You can learn more about the play here.
Presented in cooperation with playwright Alicia Mena and director Cristobal Garza Gonzalez.
Homecoming Formal
8:30 – 10:30 p.m.
Good Library
Campus Activities Council (CAC), Residence Life and the Library are hosting this super fun event. Put on your best clothes and get ready to dance, enjoy delicious food and play some games on multiple library floors. (This is a student only event)
Event Time Location Event Information Free Time
9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Opportunity for parents and grandparents to spend time with your college student.
Childcare – Preschool (3-5 yrs.) through 6th Grade
9:15 – 11:30 a.m.
Rec-Fitness Center, Lobby
A variety of age-appropriate activities are planned, including a chance to learn about and play GC’s gamelan. Snack provided. Mark Daniels ’00 will be here to draw caricatures for interested children. Pre-school children will also spend time in the Toddler room in the Church Chapel. Pick up your children by at least 11:45 a.m. at the RFC Lobby. Registration required.
Alumni Class Reunions
9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
2020 (5 year) - TBD
2015 (10 year) - College Cabin from 11 am. to 2 pm.
2010 (15 year) - TBD
2005 (20 year) - TBD
2000 (25 year) - TBD
1995 (30 year) - TBD
1990 (35 year) - TBD
1985 (40 year) - TBD
1980 (45 year) - TBD
1975 (50 year) - Church Chapel Fellowship Hall (North)
1970 (55 year) - Music Center, Rieth Recital Hall
1965 (60 year) - TBD
1960 (65 year) - TBD
1955 (70 year) - Church Chapel 100
Baked goods, coffee and tea will be served at 9 a.m. in the College Mennonite Fellowship Hall and the Newcomer and Music Center Lobbies. Reunion Locations will be assigned in September.
Alumni Baseball Game 10 a.m.
Ingold Athletic Complex, Sarge Yoder Field
Baseball alumni are welcome to contact Coach Brad Stoltzfus at bradleys@goshen.edu for more details.
Lunch: Food Trucks
11:30 a.m.
Parking lot South of the Union Building
Enjoy lunch from local food trucks (Caribbean, Mexican and Chinese with a Southeast Asian twist). The Leaf Raker Cafe will also be open with a limited menu. No registration required, food can be purchased directly from the vendors or the Leaf Raker. Mark Daniels ’00 will be available in the Welcome Center lobby to draw caricatures for children and the young at heart.
Champions of Character Reception
12 – 1 p.m.
Church-Chapel, Fellowship Hall
Join the Athletics Department as they honor this year’s Champions of Character Awardees, Tony Janzen ’08 from Goshen, Indiana and Mary Hartzler ’70 from Columbus, Ohio.
Presidential State of the College update and Q&A
1 – 2 p.m.
Location TBD
Join President Becky Stoltzfus ’83 for an update on the college and an open discussion.
Alumni Book Signing
1 – 3 p.m.
Hunsberger Commons, The Union Building
Ruth Krall `62. Inanna's Way: A Personal Journey into the Underworld. (Gelassenheit Publications, 2025). Ruth will be represented by her niece, Beth Krall.
If you are an alumni author and would like to sell a recent book, you are welcome to reserve a table in the Union. You will need to bring your own books and sell them yourself. Email alumni@goshen.edu if interested or with questions.
GC Thrift Fair!
1 – 3 p.m.
Union Building, Hunsberger Commons
Alumni, current students and GC friends are invited to bring their well-loved GC gear — old or new — to share with the GC community. All items will be sold at a reasonable price with all profits going to the Goshen College Fund.
91.1 The Globe Merch Pop-up Shop
1 – 3 p.m.
Union Building, Hunsberger Commons
Globe fans need to come pick out your own very cool Globe merch. Credit sales available.
Tour of the Center for Communication Studies
1 – 2 p.m.
Northwest end of Newcomer Center
Jason Samuel ’93, WGCS general manager and assistant professor of communication, and student leaders will guide you through the new center.
Celebration of the Class of 2020 2 p.m. Rieth Recital Hall, GC Music Center Join the class of 2020 as they celebrate their graduation in person. Class members will sign the historic GC graduate register. All are welcome. Men’s Soccer Game vs. Bethel University
2 p.m.
Ingold Athletics Complex, GC Soccer Field
Homecoming Hymn Sing
2 – 3 p.m.
Church-Chapel, Sanctuary
Led by Dr. Scott Hochstetler ’97, professor of music, and H. Roz Woll, assistant professor of music. Scott and Roz will select some hymns, and there will be time for requests too.
Nursing Alumni Open House for the new Center for Nursing and Public Health
2 – 5 p.m.
Westlawn Floors 2 and 3 & Church-Chapel, Fellowship Halls
This is an special open house for nursing alumni and their families only. Registration required.
Join current and retired nursing faculty for a special open house. At 3:30 pm, following the the open house, there will a program for nursing graduates in the Church Fellowship Halls. This will be a time of story telling and reconnecting with your nursing co-hort. Light refreshments will be served.
Public Open House for the new Center for Nursing and Public Health
3 – 4 p.m.
Westlawn Floors 2 and 3
This is a public open house. Come take a look our most recently updated facilities.
Hispanic-Serving Initiative Update and Latino Reception
3 p.m.
Location TBD
All are welcome to join Dr. Gilberto Perez, Jr, vice president for student life and Hispanic-serving initiatives, and the HSI Committee for updates on our Hispanic serving initiatives. Learn how GC is leading the way in connecting groups around campus and beyond to build partnerships that strengthen our campus and our community. Champurrado, cafecito, chocolate caliente and pan dulce will be served.
Advocates Reception for LGBTQIA+ Students, Alumni and Allies
3 p.m.
Location TBD
Join students from the Advocates affinity group and their advisor and professor of kinesiology, Jewel Lehman, for an informal reception. Advocates seeks to educate and promote communication between LGBTQIA+ and straight students, faculty and communities on campus. Light refreshments will be served.
Demonstration of the Nyai Oyer Gamelan
3 p.m.
Union building, Gamelan Room
Marcia Yost, director of the arts, will give a brief introduction to the instrument and you may even have a chance to play it.
Art Exhibit: “Hutterite Life from 1528: Communal Anabaptism.”
3 – 4 p.m.
Good Library Gallery (basement)
Ervin Beck ’59, professor emeritus of English, will host this event and will comment on the exhibit.
Alumni Softball Game
3:30 p.m.
Ingold Athletic Complex, GC Softball Field
Women’s Alumni Basketball Game
4 p.m.
Rec-Fitness Center, Gunden Gymnasium
One Act Play – Las Nuevas Tamaleras by Alicia Mena
4 p.m.
Umble Center
Cost: No tickets needed, free and open to the public
A charming bilingual holiday tradition from San Antonio arrives in Goshen a little early, but hilarious as ever. This short comedy reminds us of the importance of cultural traditions, especially those involving gossip and cooking. You can learn more about the play here.
Presented in cooperation with playwright Alicia Mena and director Cristobal Garza Gonzalez.
Learn more about the play.Homecoming Indoor Picnic
5:00 – 7 p.m.
Westlawn Dining Hall
Adults – $12
Children ages 5-12 – $8
FREE for children under 5
Bring your friends and family for a great dinner of picnic food, including Chef Jeremy’s amazing brisket.
Tickets can be purchased here prior to Homecoming for this discounted rate. Ticket pre-sales will end on Friday, October 3 at noon. Tickets can still be purchased at the door for a higher price.Black Student Union Alumni & Friends Family Cookout
5 p.m.
Location TBD
Join students from the Black Student Union, their advisor, and other Black faculty and staff for members for an old-school family cookout filled with music, dancing, card games, dominoes, barbecue, potato salad, mac and cheese, and—of course—caramel cake.
Art Exhibit Reception: “Refraction” by Tiffany Wyse-Fisher ’02
5:30 – 7 p.m.
Music Center, Hershberger Gallery
Come see an exhibit of work by Tiffany-Wyse Fisher ’02, assistant professor of art. There will be an artist talk at 6 p.m.
Homecoming Music Gala
7:30 p.m.
Music Center, Sauder Concert Hall
Cost: $10, $8 for seniors/youth and free for GC students/faculty/staff
The Music Department presents its annual showcase of student and faculty musicians.
Tickets can be purchased here or by calling 574.535.7566. Ticket window will open at 6:30 p.m. for ticket purchase or will call.
Event Time Location Event Information World Communion Sunday Worship at College Mennonite Church featuring President Stoltzfus and the college's chapel singing team
10:30 a.m.
Church-Chapel, Sanctuary
Join us for worship! President Rebecca Stoltzfus ’83 will be preaching about faith formation, and Campus Minister Jen Shenk and the college's chapel singing team will lead during this bi-lingual World Communion Sunday worship service. Coffee, refreshments and fellowship time starts at 10 a.m.
One Act Play – Las Nuevas Tamaleras by Alicia Mena
2 p.m.
Umble Center
Cost: No tickets needed, free and open to the public
A charming bilingual holiday tradition from San Antonio arrives in Goshen a little early, but hilarious as ever. This short comedy reminds us of the importance of cultural traditions, especially those involving gossip and cooking.
Presented in cooperation with playwright Alicia Mena and director Cristobal Garza Gonzalez
Intramural Pickleball Tournament for Student, Alumni and Friends Teams
2 p.m.
Rec-Fitness Center, Gunden Gymnasium
Come show those young whipper-snappers that you don’t have to be 20 to be great at pickleball. This is a single elimination doubles (mixed or not) tournament with beginner and advanced brackets. You must register your team on the Homecoming registration form. Email alumni@goshen.edu with questions. The registration deadline is September 26.
Registration
We strongly encourage alumni to register for their reunions (free), everyone for the bike ride (free) and require registration for the 50th Anniversary Dinner ($25) and childcare (free).
Tickets
Tickets for music and athletic events can be purchased at goshen.edu/tickets or by calling 574.535.7566. Tickets will not be mailed. Electronic tickets will be sent to your email address. You may print your ticket(s) or bring your electronic device so the ticket may be scanned at the door. Tickets will also be available in the Music Center Box Office, during regular business hours Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Tickets may also be purchased one hour prior to the event at each venue.
General Information
Call 574.535.7564 for information or email alumni@goshen.edu
Welcome Center | Lost and Found
Union Building
- Friday, Oct. 3: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Saturday, Oct. 4: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Box Office | Performance ticket purchase and will call
Music Center, Lobby
Friday: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. or one hour prior to each event at the venue.
Tickets can be purchased at goshen.edu/tickets or by calling 574.535.7566
Exhibits
Hershberger Art Gallery
Music Center
Exhibit: “Refraction” – Tiffany Wyse-Fisher ’02, assistant professor of art
- Friday: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
- Saturday: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
- Sunday: 2 – 4 p.m.
Library Art Gallery
Harold and Wilma Good Library, Basement
Art Exhibit: “Hutterite Life from 1528: Communal Anabaptism.”
- Friday: 8 a.m – 5 p.m.
- Saturday: 1 – 4 p.m.
- Sunday: 1 – 11 p.m.
Food and Drink
Dining Hall
Dining hall prices. Pay at the door. Prices don’t include tax. Child rate for ages 11 and younger.
Java Junction
Kratz-Miller-Yoder Connector
Hang out with old friends and enjoy your favorite milkshake, mocha or muffin!
- Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., 7 – 11 p.m.
- Saturday: 1 – 4 p.m.
- Sunday: 1 – 4 p.m., 7 – 11 p.m.
Hotels & Lodging:
Blocks of rooms have been held. To get the group rate, identify yourself as a GC Homecoming participant.
- Comfort Inn ($130.90 double)
574.500.3925
Request the Goshen College Homecoming discount when reserving your room. All rooms must be booked before Friday, Sept. 12, 2025 for this rate. - Holiday Inn Express & Suites ($110.88 double)
All rooms must be booked online at the link above before Wednesday, Oct 1, 2025 for this rate. - Camp sites: Available at the Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds. Call 574.533.3247 for more information.