Good to be blue: UB celebrates Homecoming and Family Weekend

Organizers of this year’s Homecoming and Family Weekend, scheduled Oct. 5-8, promise the event will be bigger and better than ever, with a lineup of activities that include seminars and performances, a bonfire, carnival and fireworks, tailgate tent parties and the traditional Homecoming football game.

Even the Peace Bridge will turn blue at dusk on Oct. 6.

“Each fall, Homecoming and Family Weekend provides a special opportunity for the UB campus to come together and celebrate the pride and tradition of all those who proudly wear the blue and white,” says Scott Weber, vice president for student life. “With events scheduled throughout the weekend, and a campus infused with school spirit and pride, Homecoming and Family Weekend provides UB memories that will last a lifetime.”

A highlight of the weekend will be a multimedia presentation on Oct. 6 by UB alumnus and Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Marcus Yam. Yam, BS ‘06, earned a degree in aerospace engineering from UB but then pursued a career as a newspaper photographer, twice winning journalism’s top award as a member of the news teams that covered the tragic terrorist attacks in San Bernardino (Los Angeles times) and the deadly mudslide in Oso Washington (Seattle Times).

His free presentation is titled “Running toward Fire: Pursuing an Unlikely Career.”

Among other events this weekend:

• Seminars: Topics include “Building a Brighter Future for Buffalo: Academic Medical Centers and Why They Matter” by James Marks, MD ‘73, executive vice president, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation; “Smart Business Practices” by School of Management Dean Paul Tesluk; and “Diversity Leadership” by Teresa Miller, vice provost for equity and inclusion.
• State of the University Address by President Satish K. Tripathi.
• Bonfire, pep rally, carnival and fireworks on the shores of Lake LaSalle.
• LGBTQ Homecoming and Family Weekend Breakfast.
• Buffalo Impact Bus Tour, a 90-minute tour for alumni, from North Campus to downtown and back, showcasing UB’s impact on Western New York.
• Women’s soccer and tennis matches.
• Performances by Lehrer Dance and comedian Demetri Martin.

Two UB schools will hold special celebrations during the weekend. The School of Dental Medicine celebrates its 125th anniversary with a seminar and reception, tour and reunion dinner dance; the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences will hold alumni reunions with multiple events.

The main event for any Homecoming weekend is the football game, and UB will take on the Western Michigan Broncos on Saturday in UB Stadium. Numerous campus groups will host tailgaters in Stampede Square before the game, and the free tailgate concert will feature New Orleans-based rock trio Better Than Ezra.

Students, alumni, parents, faculty and staff are encouraged to wear blue during the weekend.

“We hope our alumni see UB as home,” says Kristin Woods, assistant vice president for alumni engagement. “They build strong bonds with faculty and staff, and visiting with them is an important element for our graduates returning to campus. And of course, there are thousands of alumni who also work at UB, and we hope will join in the festivities and celebrate as well.” 

Some events require paid tickets or registration. To view the full schedule of Homecoming and Family Weekend events with registration details, visit the Homecoming website.