SLU Celebrates 2025 Homecoming and Family Weekend
From alumni meeting up to celebrate 50-plus years of friendship to parents exploring their freshmen’s view of campus for the first time, Saint Louis University’s 2025 Homecoming and Family Weekend brought Billikens together for three memorable days, Sept. 26-28.
Organized by SLU’s Office of Alumni Engagement, Office of Parent and Family Engagement, Student Involvement Center and Department of Athletics, Homecoming and Family Weekend is the largest campus event of the year. Thousands of alumni, students, families, faculty and staff participated in dozens of events designed to bring the community together in SLU spirit before the men’s soccer team brought home a win against La Salle in front of a roaring crowd at Hermann Stadium.
"It is wonderful to see campus filled with our alumni community, along with parents, friends, faculty and staff, year after year,” said Annelise Pivin, Saint Louis University’s executive director of alumni engagement. “I'm lucky to have experienced Homecoming and Family Weekend as a student, and now I'm honored to help facilitate it annually as an alumna and staff member. This year's event was one of our best!"
New This Year
- Saint Louis University School of Law celebrated the 25th and 50th year reunions of its classes of 2000 and 1975.
- SLU’s Oral History Project invited alumni to browse yearbooks and share memories.
- Research Uncorked helped attendees to celebrate SLU’s prestigious R1 status and groundbreaking research being conducted by students and faculty.
- Parents and students connected over SLU-themed crafts and competed during Boom Boom Bingo.
- SLU students also participated in five days of fun specifically designed for current Billikens before the weekend began, including a homecoming concert, blood drives, a dunk tank, outdoor movie night and more.
“Homecoming and Family Weekend is a wonderful opportunity for alumni and families to reconnect with the SLU community,” said Kesha Williams, SLU’s director of parent and family engagement. “It’s a time for fellowship, celebration and seeing campus through the eyes of our students.”
Returning Favorites
Among other events, schools and colleges across campus opened their doors for tours, mixers and family fun as deans and academic leadership shared insights on SLU’s successes and future plans. Prospective students enjoyed admission presentations, families participated in a sip-and-paint activity and Billikeños of all kinds packed the house to hear about SLU-Madrid.
Early risers participated in the 24th Annual Cheryl L. Cavallo Hustle for Your Health 5K and Family Fun Walk on Saturday, and families celebrated the achievements of nursing students entering clinical training during the School of Nursing White Coat Ceremony on Friday.
The faithful celebrated Mass at St. Francis Xavier College Church and the Edmund Campion Chapel and learned more about the Catholic Studies Center, while crowds gathered to take trolley tours to spot campus updates, and Billikens of all ages joined the festivities at the annual golf cart parade, led by SLU’s athletes and President Edward Feser, Ph.D.
Sports fans enjoyed a field hockey game, filled Chaifetz Arena for Billiken Madness and flocked to Hermann Stadium to cheer on the men’s soccer team. Highlights of the weekend included a family-friendly pregame celebration featuring local band, Dirty Muggs, and alumni vendors, Gioia's Deli and Crispy Sips, all capped off by the traditional halftime fireworks show.
Attendees also enjoyed discounts at The Billiken Shop, SLU’s campus bookstore, at City Foundry STL and throughout the Prospect Yards District.
Learn More
Homecoming traditions at Saint Louis University date back to the 1920s. Held the last full weekend every September, the event is largely complimentary and fosters engagement throughout the SLU community. Learn more at slu.edu/hcfw.