2022 Illinois Homecoming Week Events

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Full Week Schedule

Sunday, Oct. 9

Homecoming 5K – Registration will open at 9:00am, Race to begin at 10:00am – Sign Up
Homecoming Kickoff Event – 10:30am
- Alumni Center Fountain Dyeing, Pancake Breakfast, Special Guests!

Monday, Oct. 10

Indigenous Peoples’ Day
- For more information and full event descriptions, visit https://diversity.illinois.edu/diversity-campus-culture/events/indigenous-peoples-day-2022/
- Welcome, Blessing, and Recognition of Place – 9:00am
  - Location: Knight Auditorium, Spurlock Museum of World Cultures (600 S. Gregory Street, Urbana, IL)
- Black Hawk Performance Company – 9:15- 10:15am
  - Location: Knight Auditorium, Spurlock Museum of World Cultures (600 S. Gregory Street, Urbana, IL)
  - The Black Hawk Performance Company (BHPC) is a Chicago-based powwow dance troupe comprising dancers from various Native Nations.
- Indigenous Illinois – 10:30- 11:30am
  - Presenter: Dr. Robert Michael Morrissey, Associate Professor, Department of History
  - Location: Knight Auditorium, Spurlock Museum of World Cultures (600 S. Gregory Street, Urbana, IL)
- Do you know where you are?: Indigenous Perspectives About Place and Belonging – 1:00- 2:00pm
  - Location: Knight Auditorium, Spurlock Museum of World Cultures (600 S. Gregory Street, Urbana, IL)
  - Moderator: Charlotte E. Davidson (Diné/Mandan, Hidatsa & Arikara Nation), Director of the Native American House
  - Panelists: Jenny Davis (Chickasaw), Director and Associate Professor of American Indian Studies; Rosalyn LaPier (Blackfeet/Métis), Professor, Department of History; and Jacki Rand (Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma), Associate Vice Chancellor for Native American Affairs, Special Advisor to the Chancellor for Native American Affairs, and Associate Professor of American Indian Studies
- 10 Books to Read on Indigenous Peoples’ Day: Pop-up Library at the Native American House – 2:00- 4:00pm
  - Location: Native American House (1206 W. Nevada St., Urbana, IL)
- Indigenous Peoples’ Day Conversation hosted by the Humanities Research Institute – 4:00pm
  - Location: Room 210, Levis Faculty Center (919 W Illinois St, Urbana, IL)
  - Sponsor: Humanities Research Institute

Dinner on the Quad – 5:00pm

Tuesday, Oct. 11 – Homecoming International Day – Celebrating the Past, Present and Future

Celebrate UIUC global alum and inspire current students – our future alum, with interactive activities.

Activities and International Snacks on the Quad (Anniversary Plaza) – 10:45 am – 2:00 pm
Alumni Celebration with hors d’oeuvres at Alice Campbell Alumni Center – 6:00 – 8:00 pm

Wednesday, Oct. 12

FAA Friends & FamILLy Celebration – Alice Campbell Alumni Center (Main Ballroom) – Doors open at 5:30 pm
- We invite all FAA alumni and donors to join us for this special event to commemorate the close of the historic With Illinois campaign and celebrate this year’s Homecoming. If you plan to be on campus during this time, please come join us so we can celebrate and thank you in person. We will be requiring that all attendees RSVP to secure their attendance at this event. Please do that by submitting this short form by September 28.
Global Talent Show – 7:30pm – Spurlock Museum.
- The Museum will open at 6 pm for people to come and see the exhibits, and the Talent Show will begin at 7:30.
Neon Trees – 7:30 pm, Doors at 6:30pm
- Neon Trees will light up the State Farm Center Theatre as part of a new addition to University of Illinois Homecoming Week festivities. Tickets are on sale here and 866-ILLINI-1 and are priced affordably between $29 and $49 plus fees (University of Illinois Students receive a $9 student discount).

Thursday, Oct. 13

Greeks Support Homecoming BBQ at Washington Park – 4:00 – 6:00pm
Alumni Gala – 6:00 – 10:00pm *This is a private event.
- If you have interest in attending, please email illinoisalumni@uillinois.edu for more information
Performance by Magician/Mentalist – Matt the Knife, Illini Union Ballroom – 9:00pm
- “Matt the Knife is the outrageous mentalist, magician, and speaker that’s known for his trademark brand of wit that blend intense charisma with wickedly humorous improvisation and unique performance art.”

Friday, Oct. 14

Welcome Event at Japan House – 12-5pm
- Japan House is hosting a Homecoming welcome event and will be open to visitors for free tours. For a fee, visitors may purchase a bowl of matcha and wagashi (traditional Japanese sweet) to enjoy while viewing the gardens and the tearooms inside.
- If you plan to attend, please register via this LINK

Illinois swimming and diving vs. Illinois State/Southern Illinois -– 3:00pm (ARC indoor pool)
- Come cheer on the Illinois women’s swimming and diving team as they take on in-state foes in a tri-meet.
Homecoming Celebration at the Illini Union Art Gallery -– 1:00 – 4:00pm, Illini Union Art Gallery (1401 West Green Street)
- The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs invites all Illinois alumni and donors to kick off Homecoming with an open house reception at the Illini Union Art Gallery. Enjoy the exhibit Illini Past and Present by artist and alumnus Howard Kanter while reconnecting with classmates and staff from student organizations, cultural centers, fraternity & sorority affairs, the Illini Union Board, housing, and so much more! We will have Illinois pennants, Homecoming pins, and refreshments available for attendees. Tours of the Illini Union will be available. We look forward to thanking you for being With Illinois and connecting with all our Illinois FamILLy!
- RSVPS are requested but not required. RSVP HERE.
The Art and Science of Preserving Our Library’s Collections – 1:30 – 3:00pm – Main Library, 1408 W. Gregory Drive, Urbana
- Hands-On Workshop in the Reading Room, 200 Main Library (This event is hosted by the University Library)
- Register Here
- Space is limited and registration is required for “The Art and Science of Preserving Our Library’s Collections.”
Goldstick Family rededicates the Tech Innovation Lounge at the New Illini Chabad Campus for Jewish Life and Living – 2:00 pm
- The Illini Chabad Technology Innovation Lounge was founded in 2017. The Phillip Goldstick Family and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) funded the project which was an immediate success. The facility was located on the 2nd floor of the 4th Street Chabad Building. Upon the passing of Beverly Goldstick in 2018, the Lounge was dedicated in her memory.
- With the move of Illini Chabad to its new Campus at 209 East Armory, the Tech innovation Lounge was dedicated to Beverly’s memory. The announcement of the rededication of the Lounge in our new home came on her 4th Yahrzeit, 11 Nissan 5782 / April 19 2022. This space and facilities were created to provide and expand student opportunity and enrich their technology skills and college experience in a homelike setting.
- Phil and Beverly have been steadfast supporters and dear friends of Illini Chabad. In 2012 they were the honorees at the “Tomorrow Begins Tonight” Celebration of Illini Chabad. Phil, Beverly, and their daughters, Gale Goldstick Cohen and Caryn Goldstick Zelinger, are Illini alumni.
- We are pleased to acknowledge the ongoing support of the Goldstick family and to memorialize Beverly Goldstick and her lifetime achievements in education.
- This rededication is honoring Beverley Goldstick, who was the epitome of an Eshet Chayil.

From Dorm Broadcasting to the Digital Frontier: A Journalist’s Journey – 3:00 – 4:30 – University Archives, 146 in the Main Library, 1408 W. Gregory Drive
- Hear from Alumnus Charlie Meyerson about his student experience at Illinois. (This event is hosted by the University Library)
- Register Here
- Space is limited and registration is required for “From Dorm Broadcasting to the Digital Frontier: A Journalist’s Journey.”
Tour of Altgeld Hall – 3:30 – 4:15 pm
- Join the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences during Homecoming weekend to tour Altgeld Hall and learn about the renovations planned for this iconic building. Tours will depart from the north lawn every 15 minutes starting at 3:30 p.m., with the final tour at 4:15 p.m. Tours take about 30-40 minutes.
Homecoming Parade – 5:30pm (Parade map here)
- This event will be live-streamed HERE
WITH I Campaign Close Event – 6:00 – 9:00pm, Sky Show starts at 8pm
- Where: Grange Grove, Memorial Stadium
- Join the university, alumni, donor, and Champaign-Urbana communities to celebrate the close of With Illinois, the university’s most successful fundraising campaign to date! As part of the kickoff to Homecoming weekend, the gates of Grange Grove will open at 6:00pm for free food, games, music, and other entertainment. Then at 8:00 pm, enjoy an exclamation point on the evening – and the campaign – with a sky show and a performance by the Marching Illini. Includes FREE food trucks and fan activities. FREE for general public to attend/watch.

Saturday, Oct. 15 (Game Day)

Grange Grove/Tailgating- Parking lots open at 7:00am
Applied Health Sciences (AHS) Homecoming Tailgate Party – 9:00 – 11:00am, Memorial Stadium Lot 31, 1402 S. 1st St.
- All AHS alumni and friends are encouraged to stop by our tent for complimentary food and drinks prior to the football game.
- RSVP for the AHS Tailgate Party
Football Game vs. Minnesota – 11:00am
Saturday Night Live: Homecoming Edition-Downtown Champaign – 3:00 – 8:00pm
Ludacris Concert with special guest TikTok star charlieonnafriday – 8:00pm – State Farm Center Theatre
- Tickets go on sale to the public Monday, September 19 at 12pm. Tickets can be purchased at StateFarmCenter.com/Ludacris, by calling 866-ILLINI-1, or at the Illinois Ticket Office at State Farm Center. Tickets range from $49.50 to $69.50 before fees and current University of Illinois students will receive a $10 discount.

*Does not include ALL events hosted by Colleges & Academic Departments