Misty weather could not overshadow the enthusiasm surrounding Homecoming 2026 at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG). The campus welcomed a large gathering of alumni, students, and their families for a weekend filled with festivities including bonfires, concerts, games, reunions, and Family Weekend activities.
The timing of Homecoming coincides with Family Weekend at UNCG. This year, the event attracted thousands of alumni and families eager to connect with their students. While Homecoming serves as an opportunity for alumni to return to their alma mater, Family Weekend provides family members a chance to explore the campus, meet their students’ friends, and experience the vibrant Spartan spirit.
Bonfire Kicks Off Celebrations
The official start of Homecoming was marked by a bonfire on Friday night, which featured flames that soared three stories high from a specially designed metal ring. Attendees basked in the warm evening atmosphere, illuminated by glow sticks, music, and dancing.
Chancellor Franklin Gilliam, Jr., along with some of the 2026 Alumni Award recipients, took part in lighting the bonfire, igniting the lower pallets to the delight of students and alumni in attendance.
Family Reunion Brings Together Community
On Saturday morning, the campus buzzed with activity as vendors set up tents for the Family Reunion, organized by the Black Alumni Network. Attendees explored booths featuring UNCG merchandise, skincare products, and book sales. A DJ filled the air with lively music, encouraging alumni to dance and enjoy the festive atmosphere.
Despite a light mist, participants remained undeterred, opening umbrellas as they continued to dance and reconnect with friends, moving toward College Avenue for more excitement.
Street Fest Offers Diverse Activities
As the rain subsided, College Avenue transformed into Street Fest, featuring tents and representatives from various academic departments. This area, known as Academic Row, allowed current students to introduce their parents to professors, while alumni took the opportunity to reconnect with former advisors. Attendees left with slices of Founders Day cake as a sweet treat.
Food trucks lined College Avenue, and the first of three alumni concerts commenced with Colin Cutler ’16 M.A., whose Americana music was followed by performances from Dalia Razo ’20 M.M., ’24 Ph.D., a bilingual musician, and Tymain Robbins ’18, who returned home from Brooklyn.
Community Engagement and Health Services
Street Fest catered to all ages, with a special Children’s Fest provided by the School of Education, featuring a bounce house and arts and crafts. Minerva’s Mobile Health Unit was available for free health screenings, administering a total of 171 flu vaccines during the weekend. A new rummage sale also took place, raising $4,400 to support alumni programs.
The highlight of the event came with the announcement of UNCG’s homecoming royal court, where Kierra Dickerson and Micah Monroe were crowned.
Private Gatherings Foster Connection
Despite the less-than-ideal weather, a strong turnout demonstrated the loyalty of Spartans. In addition to the main events, alumni engaged in numerous private gatherings throughout Greensboro. These included the Rugby Club’s 49th annual reunion with a wine tasting, a meet-and-greet hosted by Chancellor Gilliam for families, and an annual Hall of Fame reception for Spartan athletes.
Milestone reunions were also celebrated with brunches, cocktails, or community service events. The impressive turnout highlighted the reasons alumni return for Homecoming each year: the chance to reconnect with the people and places that shaped their experiences at UNCG.
Story by Becky Deakins, University Communications. Videography by David Row, University Communications. Photos by Sean Norona & Bert Vanderveen, University Communications.
Source: UNC Greensboro
