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Hawktober 2024

Hawktober: Homecoming & Family Weekend

Oct. 25-27, 2024 

This year’s Homecoming and Family Weekend festivities will include beloved traditions, exciting new programming, and many opportunities to enjoy a weekend filled with alum and family connections!

Full Schedule of Events

Monday, October 21

Study Abroad 101 for Parents & Students

Noon–1 p.m., Virtual-Zoom

Interested in an educational experience overseas? University of Hartford offers everything from the traditional study abroad experience to internships, research, service-learning/volunteer, and teach abroad programs. Students can study abroad in over 50 different countries, and there are options available from one week to one year and everything in between. Education abroad can be an excellent resume booster (did you know only 11% of U.S. college students choose to study abroad?) and every UHart student is eligible to participate. You'll be able to hear directly from the International Center - join us to learn more and get your questions answered!


Virtual- Zoom link to be provided.

Tuesday, October 22 & Wednesday, October 23

No formal events are scheduled for these days. Explore campus or visit the vibrant towns of West Hartford, Bloomfield, and Hartford - UHart sits at the crossroads of all three towns.

Thursday, October 24

Mainstage Musical Performance: Something Rotten!

7:30–10 p.m., Lincoln Theater

Tickets for sale beginning September 23 at 10 a.m.

 

A Taste of Home  

11 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Commons Dining Hall 

Visit us at Commons Dining Hall for a chance to see your family recipe highlighted at the Taste of Home lunch! Aramark will be featuring 8-12 UHart family dishes, submitted by UHart students and their families.

To enter your family dish for consideration, submit your recipe to taste@hartford.edu by October 1, 2024.  

Hispanic & Latino Student Association Luncheon 

1 p.m., Gengras Student Union, Room 331 

The Hispanic & Latino Student Association (HLSA) would like to invite parents, students, and alumni to join us for a complimentary Latino lunch. Meet our board members, learn about what HLSA has to offer, and find out what life is like as a Hispanic or Latinx student on campus. Esperamos verlos aquí! 

Joseloff Gallery Presents: Pathways: HAS Faculty Show

1–5 p.m., Joseloff Gallery, Harry Jack Gray Center 

This exhibition unveils the latest creations from the esteemed faculty of the Hartford Art School. The artwork, while diverse in materials, subject matter, and style, represents a collective commitment to curiosity, process, and making. From porcelain to woodcut prints and even augmented reality, the exhibition paints a rich portrait of the multiple creative realms explored by HAS faculty members.

Shabbat Service + Dinner

5:15 p.m. Service, University Commons, Room 116/118
6 p.m. Dinner, University Commons, Room 116/118

Alumni, students, and their parents are invited to attend a Shabbat service, followed by a delicious catered dinner. Ticketed event.

Anchor Awards Ceremony

7:30–9 p.m., Wilde Auditorium 

UHart's annual awards event to celebrate the brilliance, success and accomplishments of our talented 2024 award recipients. Alumni, friends, and family welcome

Young Alum: Brewery Event

7:30–9 p.m., Elicit Brewing Co., Manchester, CT

Recent grads – reconnect over apps and a drink at Elicit Brewing Co. in Manchester, CT.

Mainstage Musical Performance: Something Rotten!

7:30–10 p.m., Lincoln Theater

Tickets for sale beginning September 23 at 10 a.m.

UHart Parents' Breakfast Social

8:30–10 a.m., GSU Hawk Lounge

Hosted by the Director of Parent Engagement & Philanthropy and UHart's Parent Council, we invite you to join fellow parents for a casual meet and greet over a catered breakfast. Connect with other families going through a similar UHart experience and enjoy great conversation. Mingle with campus leadership and chat with UHart staff who can answer your questions on the student experience and learn ways in which you can stay more connected as a proud parent!.

Presidential Inauguration

10–11:30 a.m., Lincoln Theater

Witness the inauguration of President Lawrence P. Ward as the University’s 7th President.

Archives and Special Collections Pop-Up Exhibit

10 a.m.–4 p.m., Harrison Libraries, KF Room

The exhibit will feature items covering the history of the University and its schools—with a special focus on the former presidents of the University—as well as select materials from various special collections.

Presidential Inauguration Reception

11:30 a.m.–1 p.m., Hursey Center

Celebrate President Lawrence P. Ward’s inauguration with the UHart community.

 

HawktoberFest

11:30 a.m–2 p.m., Athletic Fields/behind Chase Arena
$15 tickets; UHart students free

Enjoy a delicious meal with fellow alumni, students, parents, and friends. Enjoy food trucks, beer garden, student performances, music, games and activities for the entire family, and more!

Alumni Art Marketplace: Celebrating Creativity and Connections

11:30 a.m–2 p.m., Athletic Fields/behind Chase Arena

All are invited to the Alumni Art Marketplace, a vibrant and dynamic gathering that celebrates the artistic talents of our alumni. Enjoy a captivating space for alumni artists to showcase and sell their creations and connect with art enthusiasts, collectors, and the wider community.

Campus Tours: What's New from the Hawk's View

Noon, Tours depart from Bates House

Red Key Society Tour guides will lead guests through the various upgrades to campus over the last 10 years. This will include touring the Auerbach Hall addition, the Gengras Student Union, the Harrison Libraries, The Hursey Center for Advanced Engineering & Health Sciences, and more. Join us for an hour-long walking tour of the spaces that have allowed the University of Hartford to continue its growth and success for its students!

Women's Soccer vs. Wentworth Institute of Technology

12 p.m., Al-Marzook Field

Cheer on the 2024 Women's Soccer Team as they compete against Wentworth Institute of Technology!

Study Abroad 101 for Parents & Students

1–2 p.m., Mali Auditorium (201), Dana Hall

Interested in an educational experience overseas? University of Hartford offers everything from the traditional study abroad experience to internships, research, service-learning/volunteer, and teach abroad programs. Students can study abroad in over 50 different countries, and there are options available from one week to one year and everything in between. Education abroad can be an excellent resume booster (did you know only 11% of U.S. college students choose to study abroad?) and every UHart student is eligible to participate. You'll be able to hear directly from the International Center and study abroad alumni - join us to learn more and get your questions answered!

Joseloff Gallery Presents: Pathways: Hartford Art School Faculty Show

1–5 p.m., Joseloff Gallery, Harry Jack Gray Center

This exhibition unveils the latest creations from the esteemed faculty of the Hartford Art School. The artwork, while diverse in materials, subject matter, and style, represents a collective commitment to curiosity, process, and making. From porcelain to woodcut prints and even augmented reality, the exhibition paints a rich portrait of the multiple creative realms explored by HAS faculty members.

Mainstage Musical Performance: Something Rotten!

2–4:30 p.m., Lincoln Theater

Tickets for sale beginning September 23 at 10 a.m.

Grant Family Track & Field Ribbon Cutting

2:30–3 p.m., Grant Family Track & Field

Join us to cut the ribbon and make an inaugural first lap on the new track.

Register here to attend the ribbon cutting.

 

Stadium Party

3–5 p.m., Athletics Fields/behind Chase Arena

Enjoy traditional tailgate style snacks and cheer on the Men's Soccer Team as they play Wentworth Institute of Technology.

Men's Soccer vs. Wentworth Institute of Technology

4–6 p.m., Al-Marzook Field

Cheer on the 2024 Men’s Soccer Team as they compete against WIT!

Student Television Network – Studio Tour & Alumni Newscast

4:15–5:30 p.m., TV Studio, Abrahms Hall

Take a student-led tour of the TV studio. Stick around and watch the magic happen at the 5:00 pm alumni-anchored newscast.

Welcome New Dean Ivanic and Happy Retirement Dr. Lofink!

4:30–6:30 p.m., GSU Hawk Lounge

Meet new Dean Aarti Ivanic, say farewell to Dr. Celia Lofink, and mingle with fellow Barney alums!

50(ish) Reunion + The Return of The Pub

5–6 p.m. - Class of 1973, GSU South Cafe
6–8 p.m. - Open to all, GSU South Cafe

The Pub is coming back, and we hope you are too! Join us for a special 50(ish) reunion celebration with the Class of 1974, then celebrate Hawktober weekend like it's October of '74 -- with UHart friends, beer, music, trivia, and bar bites in the student union.
This event is free to attend and will have a cash bar.

Black Student Union Annual Alumni and Parents Dinner

5 p.m., 1877 Club + Rotunda

Join the Black Student Union (BSU) for the Annual Alumni and Parents Dinner as we kick-off the yearlong celebration of the 60th anniversary of the BSU.

Semiformal attire, tickets are required.

School of Communication Alumni Reception

6–8 p.m., Hursey Center, Stanley Black & Decker Commons

School of Communication alumni are invited to attend a reception where you can catch up with other graduates and faculty. Complementary appetizers and beverages provided.

Mainstage Musical Performance: Something Rotten

7:30–10 p.m., Lincoln Theater

Tickets for sale beginning September 23 at 10 a.m.

 

Hartford Track and Field 5K

8 a.m. - Check in opens
9 a.m. - Race begins
Starts and ends at Chase Arena

Run, walk, or dance your way through campus alongside UHart alumni, students, families, and friends. Race registration includes a 5K t-shirt and race bib; proceeds support our Hartford Track and Field team.

Race starts at 9:00 a.m. at the Chase Arena (parking available); t-shirts and race bibs will be distributed to runners beginning at 8:00 a.m. New this year: A 100M dash for our youngest Hawks (10 and under)!

Click here to register for the 5K.

Yoga and Smoothie Pop-Up

10–11 a.m., Location coming soon

Join us for a post-race cool down with a rejuvenating yoga session, and a pop-up smoothie bar to leave you refueled and refreshed.

Jazz Brunch

11 a.m.–1 p.m., Cafe, Gengras Student Union
Tickets required

Join fellow alumni, parents and students for everyone’s favorite part of Hawktober weekend: the annual Jazz Brunch. This year, we are thrilled to return to campus with brunch accompanied by lively jazz music, featuring alumna and recording artist Latanya Farrell M'97, M'98. Tickets are $40/person and includes brunch, your first beverage, and all the smooth jazz you can handle. Space is limited.

Mainstage Musical Performance: Something Rotten!

3–5:30 p.m., Lincoln Theater

Tickets for sale beginning September 23 at 10 a.m.

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Returning Favorites

Friday, October 25th 

  • HLSA Luncheon 
  • Anchor Awards Celebration 

Saturday, October 26th  

  • Parent Breakfast and Networking  
  • HAS Gallery tour and Faculty Art Show 
  • Campus Tours  
  • Alumni Art Marketplace 
  • 50(ish) Reunion and the return of The Pub 
  • BSU Dinner 
  • School of Communications Networking Event 

Sunday, October 27th 

  • Hawktober 5K 
  • Jazz Brunch  

Fresh & New Hawk Fun

  • Something Rotten! the musical at Lincoln Theater, playing all weekend 

Friday, October 25th  

  • Young Alum Happy Hour at local brewery  

Saturday, October 26th  

  • Homecoming Celebration! Including Hawktoberfest food trucks, beer tent, family fun zone and more at our women’s (noon) and men’s (4 p.m.) soccer games 
  • Ribbon cutting and grand opening of the Grant Family Track and Field 
  • Barney School Networking Event, featuring new dean Aarti S. Ivanic and beloved advisor Celia Lofink
  • Drinks at The Pub 

Sunday, October 27th  

  • Alum-led Yoga and smoothies