Homecoming & Family Weekend | September 20-21, 2024

Homecoming & Family Weekend 2024 was a Success!

Thanks for coming back to the ‘Bein, Cardinals! Please mark your calendar for September 26-27, 2025, for next year’s Homecoming & Family Weekend!

Here’s a recap of the events from the weekend:

This fall, we’re continuing our two-day format and bringing back some favorite events from last year’s celebration. We’re also making a few exciting changes, based on your feedback:

  • The entire event will take place under the trees on the Towers Lawn and on the Otterbein Green behind Towers!
  • The Friday night concert will feature an alumni band and Fraternity and Sorority Alumni Night.
  • The Celebration of Otterbein Awards will take place on Friday night. SOLD OUT!
  • Saturday morning’s State of the University will include time for Q&A with President Comerford.
  • We’ll have a new parade route, more lawn games, plus additional activities for kids on Saturday morning.
  • More of the seating will be away from the stage, allowing for better conversation opportunities.

And that’s just a short list of some of the ways we’re making Homecoming & Family Weekend even more fun for alumni, families, and community members of all ages.

*Traffic Alert: The City of Westerville is hosting its Fall Arborfest on Homecoming Day 9/21/24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Alum Creek Park off Main Street. Homecoming attendees are encouraged to access campus via Route 3/State Street versus Cleveland Ave/Main Street to avoid traffic delays. More info here.

Check out the full schedule, below!

Celebrating a reunion during Homecoming? Find all the details for yours below!

1974 Email Header

Class of 1974
50th Reunion

1969 55th Header

Class of 1969
55th Reunion

1999 25th Header Resized

Class of 1999
25th Reunion

Bsu Tailgate 2024 Fill

BSU (Black Student Union)
All-Star Weekend Homecoming

Alumni Choir Reunion 2024 Logo

Alumni Choir Reunion
and Concert Rehearsal

Cowan Horizontal

Classes of the 1980s
Theatre Alumni Reunion

Equine For Hc Page

Austin E. Knowlton Center
for Equine Science Gala

Homecoming & Family Weekend 2024 Schedule

Schedule subject to change. Events in BOLD are open to all alumni.

Friday, September 20, 2024

  • 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Class of 1974 50th Reunion (The Point at Otterbein)
    • For a full schedule of 50th Reunion events, click here.
  • 4-6:30 p.m. | Cardy Hour With Faculty & Staff (Towers Lawn)
    • Families, Students, Alumni, Faculty, and Staff are invited to this casual gathering featuring appetizers, beer and seltzer (for purchase), and non-alcoholic beverages.
  • 5:30-6:30 p.m. | Raise a Glass in Remembrance of Dr. Christina Reynolds (Towers Lawn)
    • At the Communications Department tent on Towers Lawn
  • 6:30-9 p.m. | Homecoming Kickoff Concert and OtterFest (Towers Lawn)
    • All alumni, families, and friends are invited to join us to kick off the festivities! We’re also extending a special invitation to all fraternity and sorority alumni to come back for a special meet up!
    • Live music from our alumni cover band starts at 7!
    • Food trucks from Ciao Cafe (Gelato), Dos Hermanos, Ono Turo Turo, and Roaming Rooster
    • Biergarten featuring Seventh Son Brewing Co. beer and Kitty Paw hard seltzer 
    • Fraternity and Sorority Alumni Night at OtterFest
    • Special group seating areas for:
      • Class of 1974
      • Classes of 1973-1979 (Summer Breeze)
      • Communication Department Alumni
  • 7-8 p.m. | Celebration of Otterbein Awards (The Point at Otterbein)
    • Visit our Alumni Awards page to see this year’s award recipients!
    • By RSVP — SOLD OUT!
  • 7-9 p.m. | Alumni Choir Rehearsal (Riley Auditorium, Battelle Fine Arts Center)
    • Register here
    • Plan to arrive between 6:45 and 7 p.m.

Saturday, September 21, 2024

  • 9-10 a.m. | State of the University & Conversation with President Comerford (Riley Auditorium, Battelle Fine Arts Center)
    • All alumni, students, families, faculty, and staff are welcome
  • 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Otterbein Equestrian Team Tournament of Champions Horse Show
    (Austin E. Knowlton Equine Science Center, 600 N. Spring Rd, Westerville, 43082)

     

  • 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Cardy Zone for Kids (Towers Lawn)
  • 10-11 a.m. | Emeriti Faculty & Staff Open House (Fisher Gallery Second Floor, Roush Hall)

     

    • Stop by and visit with your favorite emeriti faculty and staff!
  • 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | BSU (Black Student Union) All-Star Weekend Homecoming (The Point at Otterbein; The House of Black Culture, 154 W. Home Street)
    • Come celebrate our connection through music and culture. All are welcome!
    • Meet in The Point parking lot at 10:30 a.m. and walk the parade at 11. After the parade, we will be having a tailgate at the House of Black Culture.
    • Register here.
  • 11 a.m. | Homecoming Parade (Campus)
    • View this annual tradition from the Towers Lawn without even leaving Cardy Zone and OtterFest!
    • See the new parade map here
  • 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | OtterFest (Towers Lawn)
  • 11:30 a.m. | Class of 1969 55th Reunion Luncheon (Shear-McFadden Science Center Atrium)
    • For full Class of 1969 55th Reunion gathering details click here.
  • 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. | Communication Department Alumni Gathering (Roush Hall Room 118)
    • After the parade, grab a lunch on Towers Lawn and meet in Roush Hall Room 118 for a celebration of all things Communication!
    • Reconnect with your faculty and peers and find out all the great things people are doing.
    • Celebrate the 100th anniversary of Forensic Speech and Debate at Otterbein and  commemorate the life and contributions of Dr. Chris Reynolds.
  • 12-1 p.m. | Tour of the Frank Museum of Art (39 S. Vine St)
    • By RSVP – SOLD OUT!
  • 1:15-2:00 p.m. | Class of 1968 Legacy Gift Stained Glass Display Dedication and Reception (Fisher Gallery Roush Hall)
    • All are invited to celebrate the installation of historic stained glass panels in Roush Hall. 
    • Refreshments will be provided.
  • 2 p.m. | Football vs. Marietta College (Memorial Stadium)
    • *Please note: Alumni and friends should stop by the Homecoming Welcome Tent on Friday evening or Saturday to receive complimentary ticket vouchers for the football game!
  • 5-7 p.m. | ’80s Theatre Reunion (Cowan Hall, Roush Hall)
    • 5-6 p.m. | Guided Tour of Fritsche Theatre in Cowan Hall
    • 6-7 p.m. | Theatre Reunion Reception in Roush Hall – paid registration required
  • 6-9:30 p.m. | Austin E. Knowlton Center for Equine Science Gala (The Point at Otterbein)
    By RSVP — SOLD OUT!

     

    • Otterbein University presents the Austin E. Knowlton Center for Equine Science Gala. Celebrating 15 Years of Excellence, this event will honor those who have helped to shape the equine industry and will feature a silent auction.
  • 6 p.m. | Class of 1999 25th Reunion gathering (Aloft Westerville, 32 Heatherdown Dr., Westerville)
    • It’s time to reconnect, reminisce, and celebrate this milestone together!
    • Complimentary appetizers and a cash bar.
    • It’s free… join us!
  • 7 p.m. | Alumni Choir Concert (Church of the Messiah, 51 N. State St., Westerville)
    • No ticket required

Homecoming & Reunion Hotels

Traveling to Westerville for the Homecoming & Family Weekend or your Reunion?

Hotel with Special Otterbein Rates:

Aloft Westerville Hotel (1.7 miles)
32 Heatherdown Drive, Westerville, OH 43081
We will be working with Aloft in early 2025 to offer a special block rate for your reunion. Stay tuned for more information!

Additional Area Hotels:

Renaissance Columbus Westerville-Polaris (1.5 miles)
409 Altair Parkway, Westerville, OH 43082
To book: Click here or call 833-427-0292

Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Columbus/Polaris (2.6 miles)
8411 Pulsar Place, Columbus, OH 43240

To book: Click here or call 614-885-8400

Embassy Suites by Hilton Columbus (2.7 miles)
2700 Corporate Exchange Drive, Columbus, OH 43231

To book: Click here or call 614-890-8600

Holiday Inn Express Columbus-Worthington (5 miles)
55 Hutchinson Ave, Columbus, Ohio 43235
To book: Click here or call 614-977-0520 

Courtyard Columbus Worthington (5.1 miles)
7411 Vantage Drive, Columbus, OH 43235

To book: Click here or call 888-236-2427