Celebrate 175 Years of University of the Pacific at Homecoming and Family Weekend 2026

A Milestone Celebration for Pacificans Everywhere

University of the Pacific is preparing to host one of the most significant gatherings in its long history. From Friday, Oct. 9, through Sunday, Oct. 11, the Stockton Campus will welcome alumni, current students, families, and friends from across the USA for Homecoming and Family Weekend — a three-day celebration marking 175 years of academic achievement, community spirit, and Tiger pride.

This year carries special weight. Few institutions in American higher education can trace their roots to 1851, and Pacific plans to honor that heritage with an expanded lineup of events, reunions, live music, and athletic traditions designed for every generation of the Pacific community. Registration is now open, and organizers encourage attendees to secure tickets early, before online registration closes and prices increase on Oct. 4.

Ready to join the celebration? Visit the official Homecoming and Family Weekend registration page to reserve your spot today.

Why the 175th Anniversary Makes This Weekend Special

Scott Biedermann ’05, ’20, vice president for development and alumni relations, described the occasion as a once-in-a-lifetime moment in Pacific’s history. He emphasized that the weekend honors the university’s rich heritage, builds excitement for what comes next, and celebrates each individual’s place in the larger Pacific story.

That anniversary theme runs through the entire schedule. Alongside familiar favorites, attendees will find special additions available only this year — including a 175th anniversary edition of Taste of Pacific and a live jazz concert by the Brubeck Brothers. The result is a program that speaks equally to longtime alumni, current families, and first-time visitors exploring what makes this university a standout in the USA.

Friday, Oct. 9: Craft Beer, Masquerades and a Movie Under the Stars

The weekend opens Friday with a schedule that blends Pacific tradition with new experiences, giving early arrivals plenty of reasons to settle in before the busiest day begins.

Tiger Tasting Craft Beer Fest

Beer enthusiasts have reason to arrive Friday afternoon. The Tiger Tasting Craft Beer Fest will feature a curated lineup of California beers selected by two of Pacific’s most knowledgeable beer advocates: Chris Ferguson, vice president for enrollment management, and Dan Croxall ’08, professor of law. The event offers a relaxed setting to reconnect with classmates, meet faculty, and sample selections chosen with genuine expertise.

The Orange & Black Ball Returns for Its 27th Year

Friday evening brings back one of the weekend’s premier traditions. Now in its 27th year, the Orange & Black Ball adopts a masquerade theme for 2026, combining dinner, dancing, and community spirit in support of Pacific’s student-athletes. The ball has become a signature gathering for alumni and supporters, and the anniversary-year theme gives it added flair.

Family Movie Night Under the Stars

Prefer a quieter evening? Families and students can end the night with a movie shown outdoors, complete with popcorn and light refreshments. It is an easy, family-friendly way to enjoy the campus atmosphere and meet other Pacific families in a casual setting.

Saturday, Oct. 10: A Full Day of Reunions and Tiger Pride

Saturday anchors the weekend with the fullest schedule of the three days, offering overlapping programming for alumni, families, and students from morning until late evening.

Breakfast with President Callahan

Families of current students are invited to begin the day at the home of President Christopher Callahan and First Lady Jean Callahan. The breakfast will feature live music performed by student musicians, along with practical guidance on how families can support their students’ academic success — a valuable session for parents navigating the college years alongside their children.

The Annual Champagne Toast

Later in the morning, President Callahan will host his annual champagne toast, open to all attendees. This year’s address will include campus updates and a reflection on 175 years of Pacific innovation and excellence, framing the day’s celebrations within the university’s broader arc of history.

Campus Tours and Open Houses

Throughout the day, guests can join student-led walking tours or explore open house events across campus. For alumni who have not returned in years, these tours offer a firsthand look at how the Stockton Campus has evolved while preserving the landmarks that anchor Pacific memories.

Reunions for Clubs, Teams and Campus Traditions

Reunions form the emotional heart of every Homecoming, and this year’s lineup spans a wide range of Pacific programs and organizations, including:

• Alpha Phi Omega
• Beta Theta Pi
• Black Alumni Club
• College Corps
• Dance & Cheer
• Forensics
• Men’s Volleyball
• Mortarboard
• Music fraternities: Mu Phi Epsilon, Sigma Alpha Iota, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia
• Noon Ball
• Phi Delta Theta
• Pi Kappa Alpha
• Tri-Delta

Alumni from Pacific’s former men’s volleyball program have an especially memorable reason to attend: the university is bringing back men’s volleyball this year as its 20th NCAA sport, and the reunion doubles as a celebration of the program’s return. Athletic action continues at the Alex G. Spanos Center with volleyball games, an alumni tailgate and social, and a performance by the alumni pep band.

Pacific Conversations: 175 Years on One Stage

A first for the university, Saturday afternoon features the inaugural live audience recording of Pacific Conversations. Biedermann will sit down with Mike Wurtz, Head of Special Collections, inside the William Knox Holt Memorial Library for an interactive journey through Pacific’s 175-year legacy. Wurtz will showcase vintage photographs, forgotten campus history, and groundbreaking institutional achievements — a rare chance to see archival treasures presented live.

Taste of Pacific: The 175th Celebration

Returning with an anniversary twist, Taste of Pacific takes over Knoles Lawn on Saturday afternoon. Guests can enjoy wine tastings, gourmet food, and performances by the Alumni Band and Alumni Spirit Squad. Have questions about specific events, tickets, or accessibility accommodations? Reach out to the alumni relations team before finalizing your plans.

Pacific After Dark: An Evening with the Brubeck Brothers

Saturday evening closes with Pacific After Dark, a live concert headlined by the Brubeck Brothers — sons of legendary jazz pianist and Pacific alumnus Dave Brubeck ’42. The performance extends one of the university’s most celebrated musical legacies and caps the day with world-class jazz performed on campus.

Sunday, Oct. 11: Faculty Honors and Game Day Football

The final day balances recognition with recreation, giving attendees a meaningful sendoff before they head home.

Faculty Mentor Awards Brunch

Sunday begins with the Faculty Mentor Awards brunch, an event dedicated to faculty members whose mentorship shapes students’ academic and professional development. This year’s honorees include Ben Carlston, Dan Croxall, Xiaoling Li, and Jeannene Ward-Lonergan — educators whose influence extends well beyond the classroom and whose work reflects the student-centered values Pacific has carried since its founding.

Game Day Viewing Party

Sunday afternoon adds a professional sports element. As the Official Higher Education Partner of the San Francisco 49ers, Pacific will host a Game Day Viewing Party as the 49ers face the Seattle Seahawks. The gathering gives Pacificans one final opportunity to spend the weekend together while cheering on a team with which the university now shares an official partnership.

Planning Your Visit to the Stockton Campus

Registration Deadlines and Pricing

Organizers stress one detail above all: register early. Online registration closes soon, and prices increase on Oct. 4. Popular events — including the Orange & Black Ball, Taste of Pacific, and the Brubeck Brothers concert — are expected to draw strong demand during an anniversary year. To secure your place at the weekend’s headline events, complete your registration through the official Homecoming and Family Weekend page as soon as possible.

Getting There and Where to Stay

Homecoming and Family Weekend takes place on the Stockton Campus, located at 3601 Pacific Ave. in Stockton, California. The registration page includes lodging options for out-of-town guests. Travelers coming from other parts of the USA can also plan time to visit Pacific’s Sacramento and San Francisco campuses, both within driving distance of Stockton.

Practical Tips for Attendees

A few simple steps can make the weekend run smoothly. Review the complete schedule before arriving and note which events require separate tickets. Build time into your itinerary for both signature programming and smaller reunions, where many of the weekend’s most memorable conversations happen. Bring family members of all ages — the schedule was designed with multi-generational attendance in mind, from Friday’s movie night to Sunday’s football viewing party.

Honoring the Past While Building What Comes Next

Homecoming and Family Weekend has always served two purposes: celebrating where Pacific has been and strengthening the community that will carry it forward. The 175th anniversary amplifies both goals. Proceeds from events such as the Orange & Black Ball directly support student-athletes. The Faculty Mentor Awards spotlight the educators who define the Pacific experience. Programs like Pacific Conversations preserve institutional history so future generations of Pacificans can understand the foundation beneath today’s campus.

For alumni, the weekend offers the chance to reconnect with classmates, professors, and the places that shaped their careers. For families of current students, it provides a window into campus life and the network supporting their students’ growth. For the university, it marks a milestone in a story that began in 1851 and continues to unfold — from the return of men’s volleyball to expanding campuses across Northern California.

Share your favorite Pacific memories in the comments below — and if you plan to attend, explore the full Homecoming and Family Weekend schedule and register today to be part of this historic celebration. For continued coverage of campus milestones, athletics, and university achievements, subscribe to the Pacific newsroom newsletter and follow Pacific news throughout the year.