Schedule of Events

Homecoming 2023 Schedule of Events
Friday, October 13 - Sunday, October 15, 2023
RSVP for Homecoming today!

Tuesday, October 10

Women’s Soccer vs. Monmouth College :: 4:30 p.m. :: Green Athletic Field, Bruner Fitness and Recreation Center
Live stream link coming soon!

Wednesday, October 11

Men’s Soccer vs. Monmouth College :: 4:30 p.m. :: Green Athletic Field, Bruner Fitness and Recreation Center
Live stream link coming soon!

Friday, October 13

Spirit Day :: On Fridays We Wear Blue
Near or far, show your IC spirit by wearing True Blue or your favorite IC spirit wear! Show your spirit by sharing photos with the hashtag #ICHoco2023.

Cuba Photography Exhibit :: 8 to 11 a.m. and 12 to 4 p.m. :: Woodcock Art Gallery, McGaw Fine Arts Center
Swing by the Woodcock Art Gallery to experience the Cuba Photography Exhibit, featuring the works of University of Pinar del Río professor Pablo Torres Rodríguez. Students and faculty who have participated in the Cuba collaboration will be available to answer questions about their work at times throughout the exhibit. 

Visit the IC Store :: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. :: Caine Student Center
Come visit the IC Store and shop a wide selection of IC spirit wear, drinkware, and tons of fun ways to show your IC pride! Want to do some shopping before you visit campus? Check out our online store.

Classroom Visits

  • PY 202 : College Physics II : 2:40-3:30 in Crispin Hall 321, Instructor: Josiah Kunz, Assistant Professor of Physics

  • BI 315 Anatomy and Physiology I: 12-1:10 pm in Dunham auditorium,  Instructor: Miranda Karban, Associate Professor of Biology

  • CJ 201: Administration of Criminal Justice: 2:40-3:50 pm in Crispin Hall 210, Instructor: Angela Gonzales Balfe, Instructor of Criminal Justice

  • RE 166 : Satan in Pop Culture : 1:20-2:40 pm in Dunham Auditorium, Instructor : Adam Porter, Joel Scarborough Professor of Religion

  • Class Canceled: PS 346 : Abnormal Psychology : 12-1:10 pm in Crispin Hall 124, Instructor : Clarissa Richardson, Assistant Professor of Psychology

  • HI 313 : Rethinking American Enslavement : 12 - 1:20 p.m. in Kirby Hall, Instructor : Brittney Yancy, Assistant Professor of History and African American Studies

Alumni Association Board of Directors Meeting :: 3 p.m. 
The Alumni Association Board of Directors will hold their fall meeting. The Alumni Association works to support the College, to strengthen the connections between members and their alma mater, and to foster a spirit of fellowship and goodwill among members.

50th Reunion of the Class of 1973 :: 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. :: Jacksonville Country Club 
Members of the Class of 1973 are invited to celebrate this significant milestone at the Jacksonville Country Club. Complimentary dinner and refreshments will be served. A class photo will be taken at 6 p.m. 

Football Alumni Gathering :: 6 to 8 p.m. :: KJB’s
Join Head Coach Ray DeFrisco and the IC Football coaching staff for a pre-game gathering at KJB’s, owned by IC alumnus Kelly Brockhouse ’99.  

Alumni Wine and Cheese Reception :: 7 to 9 p.m. :: Wine Barn at Twisted Tree Music & Events, formerly Water’s Edge Winery & Bistro
Join Illinois College alumni and friends for a reception hosted by the Alumni Association Board of Directors in the Wine Barn at Twisted Tree Music & Events. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres and two drink tickets will be available. 

Student Follies Talent Show :: 7 p.m. :: Rammelkamp Chapel
This Homecoming Week mainstay features talented Illinois College students competing in song, dance, comedy and more. Alumni are welcome and encouraged to attend, feel nostalgic and cheer on current IC students!

Saturday, October 14

Breakfast with the Blueboys :: 9 to 10 a.m. :: Cummings Dining Hall, Caine Student Center
Alumni football players share a pre-game meal with the football team, hosted by Conrad Noll III ’65 and Bobby Noll ’02. Following breakfast, Head Football Coach Ray DeFrisco invites all football alumni to join the Blueboys on Green Athletic Field to walk the field and pose for a group photo. 

Golf with IC Alumni :: 9 to 11 a.m. :: K’s Creek Golf Club
Swing by K’s Creek Golf Club and join other IC alumni including K’s Creek owners, John ’07 and Rachel Smith Rohn ’07 , for a morning of golf. To make your tee time, call the clubhouse at 217.602.0533.

Cuba Photography Exhibit :: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. :: Woodcock Art gallery, McGaw Fine Arts Center
Stop by the Woodcock Art Gallery to experience the Cuba Photography Exhibit, featuring the works of University of Pinar del Rio professor Pablo Torres Rodriguez. Students and faculty who have participated in the Cuba collaboration will also be included. Faculty will be present to host the gallery and answer questions about the exhibit and our Cuban partnership. 

Visit the IC Store :: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. :: Caine Student Center
Come visit the IC Store and shop for your IC spirit wear. Want to do some shopping before you visit campus? Check out our online store.

Illinois College Homecoming Parade :: 10 a.m. 
Join us for the annual Homecoming parade as it steps off the corner of Church and State streets in downtown Jacksonville, featuring nearly 100 College and community entries. This year's parade marshal is Vicki Hinck VanTuyle '73. The parade route will travel east on State to the downtown square, moving clockwise around the square, and continue south on Main Street. The parade will then turn west on College Avenue heading toward Illinois College, turn south on Park Street and end at the Homecoming Celebration Tent on the corner of Edgehill Road and Park Street. To participate in the parade, visit ic.edu/homecomingparade to sign up.

Illinois College Society Parade Seating :: 10 a.m. :: Corner of West College Avenue and Park Street
Illinois College Society members are invited to watch the Homecoming parade from special seating at the corner of West College and Park. Enjoy a delicious selection of breakfast pastries and coffee. Learn more about the Illinois College Society HERE.  

Alumni Swim Meet :: 11 a.m. :: Coultas Natatorium, Bruner Fitness and Recreation Center
Former Illinois College swimmers are invited to participate in the Alumni Swim Meet. Warm ups will begin at 10:30 a.m. with the meet beginning at 11 a.m. Call swimming coach Chris Sykes at 217.245.3343 or email christopher.sykes@ic.edu for more information.

Homecoming Celebration Luncheon :: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. :: Homecoming Celebration Tent
Join Illinois College alumni for a complimentary luncheon and Bloody Mary bar hosted by the Alumni Association Board of Directors.

Crispin Hall Open House with Faculty :: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. :: Crispin Hall
Stop by the completely renovated Crispin Hall to check out IC’s new hub of science and technology featuring eight state-of-the-art labs, six modern classrooms, and space to house five academic programs — computer science, engineering, mathematics, physics, and psychology and neuroscience. The building will be open throughout Homecoming, but stop by during these hours to meet faculty and hear about the facility from them. 

20th Anniversary of Bruner Fitness and Recreation Center Walking Tour :: 11:30 to 2:30 p.m. :: Bruner Fitness and Recreation Center
Celebrate two decades of athletic excellence in Bruner Fitness and Recreation Center! Take a walking tour of the state-of-art athletic facility, learn about its history and relive some of the most exciting moments for the notable student-athletes who have competed there over the years. Plus, see the many upgrades that have taken place in recent years, including the varsity locker rooms, weight room, and indoor track. And don’t miss the chance to join your fellow alumni, teammates and friends for a fun photo opportunity! 

Alumni Choir Rehearsal :: 11:30 a.m. :: Choir Rehearsal Room, McGaw Fine Arts Center
Warm up those vocal cords! Illinois College choir alumni are invited to rehearse “The Star Spangled Banner” with music faculty and then perform the piece prior to the kickoff of the football game at 1 p.m. 

Alumni in Nursing/Healthcare Meet and Greet with IC Faculty :: 12 Noon to 1 p.m. :: True Blue Lounge, Homecoming Celebration Tent
Alumni in nursing and other healthcare professions are invited to meet the director and assistant professor of nursing, Dr. Angela Bentley and other IC faculty. Learn about Illinois College nursing’s recent partnerships, healthcare program growth and plans for the future while you mingle with other alumni in the healthcare industry.  

Blueboys Football vs. Knox College :: 1 p.m. :: Green Athletic Field, England Stadium
Watch the Blueboys defend their three-year winning streak against the Prairie Fire. Live stream link coming soon!

Tent Party and Family Activities :: 1 to 4 p.m. :: Homecoming Celebration Tent
Alumni and their families can enjoy face painting, inflatables and other fun activities free of charge. A variety of the area’s food trucks (Front Street Creamery, JB’s Coffee House and Nana’s Kettle Corn) will provide festive food and drink options, including beer and hard seltzers, for purchase. This event is hosted by the Alumni Association. 

Reunions for the classes of 1993, 1998, 2003, 2008, 2013 and 2018 :: 2 to 4 p.m. :: True Blue Lounge, Homecoming Celebration Tent
Classmates from these reunion years are invited to meet and reconnect in a special lounge area under a private tent, complete with complimentary appetizers and refreshments. Official class reunion photos for these classes will be taken at the following times:

  • Class of 1993, 2:20 p.m.
  • Class of 1998, 2:25 p.m.
  • Class of 2003, 2:30 p.m.
  • Class of 2008, 2:35 p.m.
  • Class of 2013, 2:40 p.m.
  • Class of 2018, 2:45 p.m.

Literary Society Cozies and Huddles :: Various Times and Locations
A literary society tradition continues at Homecoming when alumni pay a visit to their respective halls or rooms:

  • Gamma Delta :: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. :: Smith House
  • Gamma Nu :: 12 noon to 3 p.m. :: Nuer Hall, Baxter Hall lower level
  • Alpha Phi Omega :: 4 to 6 p.m. :: APO Hall, 1010 Edgehill Road
  • Sigma Pi :: 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. :: Beecher Hall, second floor
  • Phi Alpha :: 4:30 to 6 p.m. :: Beecher Hall, first floor
  • Chi Beta :: 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. :: Smith House
  • Sigma Phi Epsilon :: 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. :: Smith House
  • Pi Pi Rho :: After the football game :: Rhoer Hall, 1005 Edgehill Road

*Please note these times and locations are subject to change.

Reunions for the classes of 1988, 1983, 1978, 1973, 1968, 1963 and 1958 :: 4 to 5:30 p.m. :: Alumni House
Heavy hors d’oeuvres and refreshments will set the stage for an intimate gathering with friends and family hosted by President Barbara A. Farley. Official class reunion photos for these classes will be taken at the following times:

  • Class of 1958, 4:15 p.m.
  • Class of 1963, 4:20 p.m.
  • Class of 1968, 4:25 p.m.
  • Class of 1973, 4:30 p.m.
  • Class of 1978, 4:35 p.m.
  • Class of 1983, 4:40 p.m.
  • Class of 1988, 4:45 p.m.

Homecoming After Party :: 4 to 8 p.m. :: Downtown Jacksonville
New for 2023! Enjoy a special night out in downtown Jacksonville. Grab a bite to eat at any of the locally owned restaurants or stop by the local shops and boutiques. Join John '07 and Rachel Smith Rohn '07, owners of the newly established downtown venue, The Plaza, for live music, food, drinks, axe throwing and shopping. On your tour of the downtown square make sure you stop by these alumni owned restaurants and stores: 

  • KJB’s - Kelly Brockhouse ’99
  • Bahan’s - Rob Vidakovich ’74 
  • Jax Yoga - Wendy Bergschneider Smith ’06 
  • Green Haven Co., Carissa Hewitt ’20

Visit these other alumni owned businesses while you’re in town:

Women’s Soccer vs. Lawrence University :: 5:30 p.m. :: Green Athletic Field, Bruner Fitness and Recreation Center
Cheer on the Lady Blues! Live stream link coming soon!

Illinois College Varsity Club Event :: 5:30 p.m. :: ICVC tent
All Varsity Club members and men’s and women’s soccer alumni are invited for a special ICVC event. Complimentary Twyford BBQ and refreshments will be available. Join now and support all student-athletes and varsity sports for the 2023-24 season!

Men’s Soccer vs. Lawrence University :: 8 p.m. :: Green Athletic Field, Bruner Fitness and Recreation Center
Cheer on the Blueboys! Live stream link coming soon!

Sunday, October 15

Cuba Photography Exhibit :: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. :: Woodcock Art Gallery, McGaw Fine Arts Center
Swing by the Woodcock Art Gallery to experience the Cuba Photography Exhibit, featuring the works of University of Pinar del Río professor Pablo Torres Rodríguez. Students and faculty who have participated in the Cuba collaboration will also be included. A special viewing of the exhibit will be open on Monday, October 15, from 8 a.m. through the end of the day. A reception will follow the convocation at 7 p.m.

Bill Merris Celebration of Life Ceremony :: 10 a.m. :: Sherman Gym, Bruner Fitness and Recreation Center
All alumni, friends and community members are invited to remember the late Bill Merris ’56 H’01. Join us to celebrate the longtime coach, professor and director of athletics who maintained strong ties to his alma mater throughout his life. Share your favorite stories, memories and photos of Bill and learn more about honoring his Illinois College legacy here. This event will be live-streamed for those not able to attend in person. 

 

Decisions about inclement weather will be made on an event-by-event basis. Announcements of changes or cancellations will be made on Illinois College's social media channels.