‘Centenary, Hail!’ Homecoming celebration set for Oct. 15‑17
Centenary College of Louisiana will welcome alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends to campus Oct. 15-17 for Homecoming 2026. This year’s theme, “Centenary, Hail!” celebrates the traditions, relationships, and shared experiences that connect generations of the Centenary community while looking ahead to the college’s future.
Centenary President Christopher Holoman said the annual celebration reflects a connection to the college that lasts well beyond a student’s time on campus.
“Homecoming is really a celebration of the Centenary story, past, present and future,” Holoman said. “For me, Homecoming is one of the clearest reminders that Centenary is more than a place where people earn a degree. It’s a community that people carry with them long after graduation.”
Activities begin Thursday, Oct. 15, with Walk Like MADD from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Jones Rice Field. That evening, the annual Alumni Awards will honor alumni for their contributions to Centenary and beyond from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Whited Room.
On Friday, Oct. 16, Centenary Ladies Volleyball and the Gents soccer team will both compete at 5 p.m., with soccer at Atkins Field and volleyball in the Gold Dome. Homecoming Fest will run from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Fitness Center, giving alumni, students, and the Centenary community various opportunities to gather and celebrate.
Hannah Rachal‑Hughes, director of Alumni and Family Relations, said this year’s theme builds on the momentum of Centenary’s bicentennial. “Following last year’s Bicentennial Celebration, ‘Centenary, Hail!’ is a fitting reminder of the lasting connections formed through this institution and the pride we all share in being a part of its story,” Rachal‑Hughes said.
Saturday, Oct. 17, opens with the Quinq Brunch, honoring alumni who graduated 50 or more years ago, and the Queen’s Tea, both from 9:30 to 11 a.m. in Bynum Commons. New this year, the Queen’s Tea will bring together past Homecoming royalty to celebrate a special part of Centenary’s history.
Greek organizations will host open houses along Woodlawn Avenue from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and alumni baseball and softball games begin at noon. The Homecoming tailgate runs from 1 p.m. until kickoff on the Gold Dome Lawn. The Centenary Ladies Volleyball team takes on Hendrix at 2 p.m. in the Gold Dome, and the V.I.P. Tent opens at 5p.m ahead of the Gents football game against Austin College at 6 p.m. at Atkins Field.
Additionally, Centenary will celebrate the Class of 1976 with its 50th Reunion at 7 p.m. in the Anderson Choral Building Atrium. The class has invited members of the classes of 1973 through 1979 to join the celebration.
“The primary function of Homecoming events is to create spaces for connection,” Rachal‑Hughes said. “When alumni return to campus, they can reconnect with classmates, faculty and staff. In my experience, I have found that interactions with current students are energizing and carry the promise of a vibrant future for Centenary.” She added that those relationships strengthen alumni ties, reinforce the legacy of faculty and staff, and enrich the student experience.
Dr. Holoman said he hopes returning alumni see both what has changed and what remains constant. “I hope alumni leave campus feeling proud of their alma mater and excited about where Centenary is headed,” Holoman said. “I want them to see that while some things have changed, including new facilities like Bicentennial Village, improvements across campus and continued growth in our academic and student programs, the heart of Centenary remains the same. Whether they graduated five years ago or 50 years ago, I want them to know they remain an important part of the Centenary community.”
Registration is open for the Alumni Awards, Homecoming Fest, Quinq Brunch, Queen’s Tea, Homecoming tailgate, and VIP Tent. Tickets are available for Homecoming Weekend athletic events. For the full schedule and registration information, please visit centenary.edu/homecoming.
— Centenary student and marketing assistant Edith Baquedano Zavala contributed to this report.