FERRUM, VA, October 28, 2026 — Ferrum College will welcome alumni, families, and friends back to campus October 30 through November 1 for Homecoming Weekend 2026, a celebration of Panther Pride, lifelong connections, and College traditions. The weekend will feature class reunions, athletic competitions, alumni recognition, a play about college history, and family-friendly Halloween festivities. For the full schedule of events and registration information, visit the Homecoming Weekend webpage.
Among the weekend’s highlights are milestone reunions honoring Ferrum College’s history and the people who have shaped its legacy. On Friday, October 30, the Class of 1976 will celebrate its 50th reunion and induction into the Golden Panthers, including members of the historic first class to graduate with bachelor’s degrees. The event begins at 4:30 p.m. in the Blue Ridge Mountain Room in Franklin Hall.
The College will also recognize the 60th anniversary of the 1966 Ferrum Junior College football team’s national runner-up championship. Members of the Black Hats, cheerleaders, and mascot are invited to reunite during the All Golden Panthers event on Friday, which will include a special presentation honoring the team’s achievement.
On Saturday, October 31, Ferrum College will host its Celebration of Impact: Donor Appreciation and Alumni Awards Ceremony in the Blue Ridge Mountain Room in Franklin Hall. The event will recognize donor generosity and honor the recipients of the 2026 Alumni Awards. Check-in and a reception begin at 8 a.m., followed by a breakfast buffet and recognition program from 9 to 11 a.m. Register for the Celebration of Impact.
Athletics will take center stage Saturday as the Panthers take on Chowan University in one of Ferrum’s oldest football rivalries. During halftime, the College will present the 2026 Homecoming Court and crown the Homecoming King and Queen.
The weekend will also bring a century of College history to life through Faith of Our Fathers, an uplifting performance written by the late R. Rex Stephenson that combines song and storytelling. In the long tradition of the Blue Ridge Dinner Theatre, this production has an intergenerational cast as well as staging that is improved and expanded since its earlier debut. Free performances are scheduled for Friday, October 30, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, November 1, at 2 p.m. in Sale Theatre. Find ticket information.
Halloween and Homecoming come together Saturday, October 31, with activities beginning at 10 a.m. at the Alumni Welcome Tent and tailgate grounds at Bassett Hall Field. Tailgate spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so early arrival is encouraged.
The Teal Pumpkin Project Trunk-or-Treat Tailgate will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. near the Alumni Tent, offering non-food treats for a more food-allergy-friendly Halloween, along with games and a costume contest. Tailgaters are encouraged to decorate their trunks and compete for prizes in categories including Best Group/Family Costume, Most Creative, Best Retro/Throwback, and Best School Spirit.
Additional activities will include complimentary cotton candy and popcorn, a cornhole tournament sponsored by the Agriculture Club, live music, photo booths, campus tours, and family-friendly lawn games leading up to kickoff. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and enjoy the festivities.
Children in costume will be admitted free to the Homecoming football game when accompanied by an adult.
Visitors can stop by the Campus Store in Panther Grounds for Ferrum spirit wear, gifts, Pink-Out apparel, Starbucks® coffee beverages, and grab-and-go food. The store will offer 20% off all in-store merchandise purchases throughout Homecoming Weekend. Weekend hours are 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Scroll down the Plan Your Visit page for more information on exhibits and displays to view on campus.
The College’s acres of woods and Chapman Pond, adjoining the new Ferrum Park, add to the possibilities for relaxation and recreation. In the College’s wooded property are a disc golf course and the Nature’s Writers Trail created by faculty with some help from recreation and art students. Ferrum Park, developed by a community nonprofit, has an ADA-compliant, accessible walking trail funded by an AARP grant; a primitive campground; and a new children’s playground installed with a grant sponsored by the Ferrum Lions Club. The small playground is near the Rt. 40 park entrance at Ferrum Park Lane. Other park and college trails connect near the pond behind the lakeside residence halls.
Homecoming Weekend offers alumni and friends an opportunity to reconnect with classmates, honor shared traditions, recognize the impact of the Ferrum community, and make new memories with family and friends.
For the full schedule of events and registration information, visit the Homecoming Weekend webpage.
