Homecoming & Alumni Weekend

WEEKEND EVENTS

FRIDAY, NOV. 8

3:30 - 7 p.m.
- Check-In/Registration
3:30 - 5 p.m.
- Campus Tours
  - Are you curious about new buildings and where things are located? Explore campus with a current student. Tours last 45 minutes to an hour. All tours will start and end at Radcliff Hall. Not interested in a tour? Stop by the Rotunda to reconnect with old friends while making new connections with alumni of all ages.
5 - 5:30 p.m.
- Memorial Service
  - Reflect and remember classmates who are no longer with us during this special memorial service.
5:30 - 7 p.m.
- Homecoming Kickoff and Welcome Back
  - Join us for a Homecoming kickoff event marking the official start of Homecoming and Alumni Weekend! It’s a special gathering for alumni of all ages to reunite with old friends and create new memories. Enjoy a picnic-style dinner, and raise a glass to the place we have all called home. All registrants will receive one drink ticket to use at the cashless bar.
5:30 - 7 p.m.
- Gold Society Induction Dinner and Pinning Ceremony
  - Head to the Rotunda for a gathering of several generations of Longwood’s Gold Society (Class of 1974 and prior) for a traditional singalong around Joanie on the Stony before dinner in Blackwell Ballroom, your old dining hall. Enjoy a sit-down meal before pinning the Class of 1974 as the newest members of the Gold Society. After dinner, take a class photo before catching a shuttle back to your hotel, or stick around for conversation with classmates in parlor-like settings arranged throughout the Rotunda and Maugans Alumni Center.
7 p.m. - until
- Alumni Night Out
  - Welcome home, alumni! Kick off Homecoming and Alumni Weekend by exploring old favorites and current hot spots as you experience Farmville and Longwood nightlife. There will be something for everyone!
9:30 p.m.
- Campus Ghost Tours
  - Conclude your evening with a fun (yet spooky) campus ghost tour. Tours will begin on the Colonnades, and hot chocolate and warm apple cider will be served.

SATURDAY, NOV. 9

10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
- Check-In/Registration
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
- Lancer Family Tailgate
  - College athletics isn’t complete without a tailgate, and neither is Longwood’s Homecoming weekend! So grab your gear—and blue-and-white cornhole boards—and make plans for the perfect fall day. Enjoy games, great music and swag giveaways at this BYOB event before the men’s first home game in the Joan Perry Brock Center. All ages are welcome, so bring the whole family. Registrants can reserve a tailgating parking space for only $50 per space (details provided when you register for Homecoming).
    
    Those without a tailgate space should still plan to join the party! Just park in one of the alternate game day parking lots (free), and walk to the tailgate lot. There’s no cost to enter, and, if you want, you can bring in chairs, food, beverages, etc.—just remember that you won’t have a designated space to set up. Plus all attendees will have the opportunity to purchase an exclusive 2024 Longwood scarf for only $10!
1 - 2 p.m.
- Golden Get-Together: Show and Tell with Longwood Archives
  - Join fellow Gold Society members from the Class of 1974 and earlier for an exclusive tour of historical items in Greenwood Library’s Special Collections. Afterward, take a short walk across Brock Commons to the Joan Perry Brock Center for the men’s basketball game at 3 p.m. (Tickets for this game will be available in early fall—see below.)
2:00 p.m.
- Spirit March to JPB
  - Gather with new and old friends as we all parade our way to the Joan Perry Brock Center to cheer on our men’s basketball team.
3:00 p.m.
- Homecoming Men’s Basketball Game
  - Get ready to witness the 2024 Big South Champions compete in their season opener in the Joan Perry Brock Center! Registrants will get exclusive access to purchase tickets for this game in early fall, prior to the general public.
5 - 7 p.m.
- Dinner on Campus or in Town
  - Indulge in a delicious dinner at one of our convenient Longwood dining options, including D-Hall, FarmGrill and Panda Express on the main campus and, just a short walk away at Midtown Square, Chick-fil-A or Moe’s. Alternatively, venture into town to discover Farmville's vibrant culinary scene, featuring standout restaurants including The Fishin’ Pig, Pino’s, Bandidos, Macado’s, The Brew House and an array of other delightful choices.
7 - 9 p.m.
- Affinity Gatherings
  - Part of a club, organization or sports team? This is your chance to reminisce, laugh and create new memories with old friends. We’re calling on volunteers to raise their hands and take the lead in planning mini-reunions for their respective groups. So gather your squad, mark your calendars, and let’s make this Homecoming one to remember by reliving the camaraderie and spirit that made our time on campus truly special.
    
    Interested in hosting a mini-reunion? Email reunions@longwood.edu! We can help with communication, add it to our weekend schedule and help facilitate reserving space if you want to gather on campus.
9 p.m. - until
- After Party / Live Music at Press Club
  - It will be a night to remember! Experience Farmville nightlife at local hot spot North Street Press Club with live music and dancing into the wee hours (if you aren’t too tired). The cover charge will be waived for registered guests with their Homecoming and Alumni Weekend credentials.

SUNDAY, NOV. 10

10:30 a.m. - noon
- Campus Tours
  - Didn’t have a chance to catch a tour on Friday? Explore all things new on campus with a current student—either by foot or golf cart. Tours last 45 minutes to an hour. All tours depart from the Dorrill Dining Hall front lobby.
10:30 a.m. - noon.
- Brunch
  - After checking out of your hotel room, grab brunch through the line at Dorrill Dining Hall. Brunch is $11.25 per person.
Noon
- Homecoming Women’s Basketball Game
  - Join Lancer fans back in Joan Perry Brock Center to watch the women’s basketball team play their first home game of the season.

Note: Schedule and times are subject to change, so check back often! Be the first to hear about updates in our Longwood Alumni Facebook Group.

DINING & LODGING

DINING

Students at Macados in Farmville

Dinner is included for those attending the Gold Society Induction and Homecoming Welcome Back kickoff event, both scheduled for Friday night. There are plenty of dining options on campus and around town for you to enjoy throughout the weekend!

You can find a list of area restaurants at VisitFarmville.com, which includes North Street Press Club, The Fishin’ Pig, Macado’s, Charley’s Waterfront Cafe, Bandidos, One19, The Brew House and many more! On-campus options include the Longwood dining hall, FarmGrill and Panda Express.

LODGING

Holiday Inn Express - Farmville

While on-campus lodging will not be available for Homecoming guests, Farmville offers a wide array of hotels and housing options. You can find a comprehensive list of places to stay at VisitFarmville.com.

Longwood has reserved blocks of discounted rooms at a few area hotels, including the Hampton Inn, Tru by Hilton and Holiday Inn Express. You’ll receive more information on these discounted group rates and exclusive offer codes when you register. Note: These blocks of rooms fill fast, so don’t wait to book your accommodations!

WEEKEND FAQ

What can I expect?
- The schedule includes many of the things you love about past reunions, plus an epic pregame tailgate, great entertainment, two action-packed basketball games in the new Joan Perry Brock Center (JPB) and affinity gatherings—but there’s so much more! For those who want to come just for the day, you’re in luck. The highlights of the weekend will take place on Saturday with our Lancer Family Tailgate, Spirit March to JPB, men’s hardwood matchup and opportunities to reconnect with classmates. While meals and drinks are not included in the cost of registration (other than the Gold Society dinner and drink ticket/food at the Homecoming Kickoff and Welcome Back on Friday), there will be plenty of dining options on campus and around town for you to enjoy! (Registration fees were kept to a minimum again this year to make the event even more accessible to all alumni and friends.)
What does the cost of registration include?
- Your registration includes an exclusive 2024-25 season “Go Wood” shirt (which isn’t available to the public until January), early access to purchase tickets for the weekend's basketball games before the general public this fall, game day-ready merch at the tailgate, one drink ticket and food at the Welcome Back event on Friday, entry to Press Club and live music on Saturday night, and exclusive discounts at local restaurants and shopping spots.
What are affinity gatherings? And if I’m interested in hosting one, whom do I contact?
- Affinity gatherings are a chance for you and fellow alumni to reconnect over shared experiences—whether identity-based or involvement-based. From fraternities and sororities to student government to multicultural organizations, we want you and your friends to reminisce about your life here on campus and the experiences that shaped your journey. Due to high demand, we’ve set aside time on Saturday night for these gatherings!
What type of lodging is available?
- Because students will be on campus and residence halls will be occupied, we have arranged off-campus housing for Homecoming and Alumni Weekend. You can find a comprehensive list of places to stay at VisitFarmville.com, and several blocks of rooms have been reserved at area hotels. We worked diligently with each hotel to set reasonable rates, and our hotel partners are eager to host you and your guests. Upon registration, you’ll receive more information on those discounted group rates and offer codes.
Is Homecoming and Alumni Weekend family-friendly? Are kids welcome?
- Yes! There will be lots of activities for children of all ages to enjoy. The Lancer Family Tailgate on Saturday will give kids plenty of room to work off some energy and an area with a variety of outdoor games and activities. Children will also get a kick—and a big dose of Lancer spirit—out of attending the men’s and women’s basketball games in the new Joan Perry Brock Center.
I’m not a sports fan—should I come to Homecoming and Alumni Weekend?
- Absolutely! The opportunity to experience a game in the impressive Joan Perry Brock Center is something both sports fans and non-sports fans will enjoy. If you decide you’d rather not go to the game, there are still plenty of other activities during the weekend to keep you entertained. You’ll have time to explore and enjoy downtown Farmville. (Spoiler alert: If you haven’t visited in a while, you may be shocked at how much the town has grown.) On Saturday, hang out with family, friends, and/or classmates at the Lancer Family Tailgate on campus. Or drop by Greenwood Library to take a stroll down memory lane courtesy of items pulled from the Longwood archives.
How do I register?
- Registration is now open! You can register here—and don’t wait because prices will increase as we get closer to the event.
Whom can I contact if I have more questions?
- Reach out to the Alumni Office at alumni@longwood.edu or (434) 395-2044.