Unless otherwise noted, events are free of charge and do not require registration. While all are welcome at all events, primary audiences are noted within each event description below. 

Jump to today's schedule:

Schedule of Events

Thursday, October 12

10th Annual Giving Day
Learn more about the on-campus Giving Day activities for students!

Giving Day Happy Hour
4:30 – 6 p.m. | Viking Room – Memorial Hall | Audience: Alumni, Faculty, Staff, Students
Alumni, parents, faculty, staff, students, and friends are invited to raise a glass in honor of the 10th annual Giving Day. Drink specials will put the happy in this hour. Bonus - Free Beer!

Fireside S'mores
7 – 9 p.m. | Hamar House Backyard | Audience: students only
Swing by Hamar House, President Carter's residence on North Park Avenue, to make s'mores!

Friday, October 13

Fall 2023 Exhibitions – View on Web
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Wriston Art Galleries | Audience: Alumni, Faculty, Staff, Students, Families, Supporters

  • Maria Martinez Ceramics
  • Jorge Ariel Escobar, I Think We Could've Been Something
  • Mapping Climate Change

Blue and White Homecoming Kickoff
11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Boldt Plaza (Rain Location: Warch Campus Center, 3rd Floor) | Audience: Faculty, Staff, Students
Come kick off Homecoming weekend with us! Pick up a t-shirt, take a picture with Blu, and learn about all of the exciting events happening throughout the weekend. 

Apparel Sale
11 a.m. – 8 p.m. | Kate's Corner Store – Warch Campus Center | Audience: Alumni, Faculty, Staff, Students, Families, Supporters
Need some new Lawrence gear? We've got you covered! Visit Kate's Corner Store in the Warch Campus Center to stock up. 

Classroom Visit: Environmental Ethics, Professor Aaron Elliot
11:10 a.m. – 12:20 p.m. | Main Hall 203 | Audience: Families, Supporters
Space is limited; registration is required. 
Register for Aaron Elliot Classroom Visit

Classroom Visit: First-Year Studies, Professor Karen Hoffman
11:10 a.m. – 12:20 p.m. | Main Hall 306 | Audience: Families, Supporters
Space is limited; registration is required.
Register for Karen Hoffman Classroom Visit

Classroom Visit: First-Year Studies, Professor Martyn Smith
11:10 a.m. – 12:20 p.m. | Main Hall 104 | Audience: Families, Supporters
Space is limited; registration is required.
Register for Martyn Smith Classroom Visit

Classroom Visit: Natural Hazards, Professor Jeffery Clark
1:50 – 3 p.m. | Youngchild 231 | Audience: Families, Supporters
Space is limited; registration is required.
Register for Jeffery Clark Classroom Visit

Classroom Visit: Understanding Religion, Professor Learned Foote
1:50 – 3 p.m. | Main Hall 012 | Audience: Families, Supporters
Space is limited; registration is required.
Register for Learned Foote Classroom Visit

Classroom Visit: Introduction to Art History, Professor Beth Zinsli
1:50 – 3 p.m. | Wriston 224 | Audience: Families, Supporters
Space is limited; registration is required. 
Register for Beth Zinsli Classroom Visit

Campus Tour
3:10 – 4:20 p.m. | Admissions Lobby – Chapman Hall | Audience: Families, Supporters
One of the best ways to experience Lawrence is through a student-led campus tour. Whether you’ve never been, haven’t been in a while, or simply want a refresher, this one is for you!

Family Dinner
4:30 – 7:30 p.m. | Andrew Commons – Warch Campus Center | Audience: Students, Families, Supporters
Families and supporters are invited to join their students for dinner in Andrew Commons. Dinner will feature an all-you-can-eat array of specialty food stations, each featuring cooked-from-scratch offerings using fresh ingredients. Plus, catch beautiful views of the Fox River as you enjoy your food. Pay at the door. Credit card only. 

Viking Room
4:30 p.m. – Close | Viking Room – Memorial Hall | Audience: Alumni, Faculty, Staff, Students, Families, Supporters
Connect with members of the Lawrence community both past and present in one of Lawrence's most beloved places.

Bingo
6 – 8 p.m. | Esch and Hurvis Rooms – Warch Campus Center | Audience: Students, Families

Film Screening: The Little Mermaid, 2023
6 – 8 p.m. | Cinema – Warch Campus Center | Audience: Students, Families

Viking Hall of Fame Dinner
6 – 9 p.m. | Somerset Room – Warch Campus Center | Audience: Invite-only
Steve Wereley '89, Betsy Blahnik '93, Justin Berrens '04, Lauren Kost '05, Ben Dictus '06, Mallory Koula '12, and Beth Larson '12 will be inducted into the Lawrence University Intercollegiate Athletic Hall of Fame. Audience: By invite only

Karaoke Night 8 – 10 p.m. | Mead Witter Room – Warch Campus Center | Audience: Students-onlyStudents are invited to end day two of homecoming with some karaoke! Come show off your skills & cheer on your peers!

Saturday, October 14

Family Breakfast with Cabinet
9 – 10:30 a.m. | Esch Hurvis Room – Warch Campus Center | Audience: Families, Supporters
Families and supporters are invited to join President Carter and her Cabinet for this special breakfast. Get to know our campus leadership while indulging in a hot breakfast buffet from Bon Appetit. Lawrence gear or Blue & White is the preferred attire. Registration required. 
Register for Family Breakfast with Cabinet

Ask the Archivist
10 a.m. – Noon | Mudd Library | Audience: Alumni, Families, Supporters
Meet the University Archivist and peruse materials from Lawrence’s 176-year history. 

Apparel Sale
10 a.m. – 7 p.m. | Kate's Corner Store – Warch Campus Center | Audience: Alumni, Faculty, Staff, Students, Families, Supporters
Need some new Lawrence gear? We've got you covered! Visit Kate's Corner Store in the Warch Campus Center to stock up. 

Campus Tour
10:45 – 11:55 a.m. | Admissions Lobby – Chapman Hall | Audience: Families, Supporters
One of the best ways to experience Lawrence is through a student-led campus tour. Whether you’ve never been, haven’t been in a while, or simply want a refresher, this one is for you!

Alumni Swim and Dive Meet
11 a.m. | Buchanan Kiewit Wellness Center | Audience: Alumni, Students

Vikings Tailgate
11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Banta Bowl | Audience: Alumni, Faculty, Staff, Students, Families, Supporters
Experience the Fan Zone at this football tailgate – food trucks, lawn games, music, and more! Shuttle transportation from the Wriston Turnaround from 10:45 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 3:30-4:30 p.m. *Food will be free for students. Others can purchase food with credit/debit or cash.

Alumni Softball Game
10:30 a.m. | Whiting Field | Audience: Alumni, Students

Fall 2023 Exhibitions – View on Web
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Wriston Art Galleries | Audience: Alumni, Faculty, Staff, Students, Families, Supporters

  • Maria Martinez Ceramics
  • Jorge Ariel Escobar, I Think We Could've Been Something
  • Mapping Climate Change

Football Game: Lawrence University vs. Beloit College
1 – 4 p.m. | Banta Bowl | Audience: Alumni, Faculty, Staff, Students, Families, Supporters
Students, faculty, and staff free of charge with LU ID. Alumni, families, and supporters should check in at the Alumni & Family Tent to gain free admission as well. Shuttle transportation from the Wriston Turnaround from 10:45 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 3:30-4:30 p.m. 

Board Games & Brownies
1 – 3 p.m. | 4th Floor – Warch Campus Center | Audience: Students, Families, Supporters
Come choose from a variety of board games to play and enjoy a sweet treat!

Alumni of Color Reception
3 – 4 p.m. | Viking Room – Memorial Hall | Audience: Alumni of color
Alumni of color are invited to join Dr. Kenny E. Yarbrough, Vice President for I.D.E.A.S. (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Antiracism and Support Services), for words and fellowship during Blue & White Homecoming Weekend. The first round is on us! Registration is open and free-of-charge to all alumni of color and their guests. 

Arte y Antojos
3 – 5 p.m. | Diversity & Intercultural Center – Memorial Hall | Audience: Students, Families, Supporters
Celebrate Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month with us! Various art projects and appetizers will be provided. Join us!

First-Gen Meetup
4 – 5:30 p.m. | Esch Hurvis Center for Spiritual & Religious Life | Audience: Alumni, Faculty, Staff, Students, Families, Supporters
First-Generation parents, alumni, faculty, staff, and students are invited to this special reception hosted by Associate Vice President for Enrollment Dr. Ashley Lewis.

Viking Room
4:30 p.m. – Close | Viking Room – Memorial Hall | Audience: Alumni, Faculty, Staff, Students, Families, Supporters
Connect with members of the Lawrence community both past and present in one of Lawrence's most beloved places. 

Service Project & Super Pets
6 – 8 p.m. | Cinema – Warch Campus Center | Audience: Students, Families, Supporters
Help us make dog toys for a local humane society while watching Super Pets! 

Boston Brass, with Lawrence University Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band*
7:30 p.m. | Lawrence Memorial Chapel | Audience: Alumni, Faculty, Staff, Students, Families, Supporters
For over 30 years, Boston Brass has offered a distinctive musical experience, blending classical arrangements, jazz standards, and original brass compositions. With their lively and humorous stage presence, they engage audiences of all ages, bridging the gap between classical formality and enjoyable entertainment. Boston Brass aims to provide a diverse range of musical styles in innovative arrangements, fostering a friendly and fun atmosphere. *Tickets required.
Purchase tickets here

Fall Homecoming Dance
9 p.m. – Midnight | Somerset Room – Warch Campus Center | Audience: Students-only
Students are cordially invited to celebrate the end homecoming with a night of fun and dancing! Grab your dance partner or your group of friends and get ready for an unforgettable night of food, beverages, live music, and much more! Co-hosted by Lawrence International and SOUP.

Sunday, October 15

There are no scheduled events for Sunday, October 15. We encourage you to engage in self-care, spend time with family and friends, and explore all that the Appleton area has to offer. Enjoy your day!

When exploring Downtown Appleton, look for the Official Viking Downtown Deals decal in storefront windows. Present your valid LU ID card to have a great experience at a discount.