Pioneer Pride Shines During Expanded Homecoming and Family Weekend

William Paterson University welcomed nearly 2,500 attendees, including more than 500 alumni and nearly 650 family members, to campus October 16–18 for its first three-day Homecoming and Family Weekend celebration, featuring live music, tailgating, family activities, Pioneer athletics, and opportunities for alumni to reconnect.

“Homecoming reconnects alumni with the people, traditions, and experiences that made William Paterson special to them,” says Roy Garcia ’99, associate vice president of alumni engagement and philanthropy. “Staying connected creates opportunities for our alumni to grow personally and professionally while also helping the next generation of Pioneers. That is how we continue to build our Powerhouse of Progress legacy.”

The festivities kicked off Friday evening, October 16 with Powerhouse of Sound! at the Shea Center for Performing Arts, showcasing the talents of 125 student musicians and raising nearly $3,400 in ticket proceeds for the Music Department Endowed Scholarship. The concert also celebrated Dr. Diane Falk-Romaine and her 33-year legacy of music education at William Paterson, while welcoming back distinguished alumni including April May Webb ’15, winner of the 2024 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, and Dr. Tyshawn Sorey ’04, 2024 Pulitzer Prize winner and MacArthur Fellow.

Saturday's festivities brought the Pioneer community together for traditional Homecoming tailgating, the Pioneer Family Carnival, and football and women's soccer games. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. earned the coveted President's Cup, adding to the day's celebration of Pioneer spirit.

The weekend concluded Sunday with the inaugural Class Reunion Bubbly Brunch, bringing alumni from graduating classes ending in 1 and 6 together for an opportunity to reconnect with classmates and celebrate their William Paterson ties.

The expanded celebration reflected the enduring connections among generations of Pioneers and the spirit of community that continues long after graduation.