Homecoming Alumni Weekend 2023

WEEKEND EVENTS

FRIDAY, NOV. 10

3:30 - 5 p.m.
- 'Since You’ve Been Gone' Campus Tours / Weekend Welcome
  - Curious about new buildings and where things are located? Explore campus with a current student—either by foot or golf cart. Tours last 45 minutes to an hour. All tours will start and end at the Rotunda. Not interested in a tour? Stop by the Rotunda to reconnect with old friends while making new connections with alumni of all ages.
5 - 5:30 p.m.
- Memorial Service
  - Reflect and remember classmates who are no longer with us during this special memorial service.
5:30 - 7 p.m.
- Gold Society Induction Dinner and Pinning Ceremony
  - Head to the Rotunda for a gathering of several generations of Longwood’s Gold Society (Class of 1973 and prior) for a traditional sing-along around Joan of Arc before dinner in Blackwell Ballroom, your old dining hall. Enjoy a sit-down meal before pinning the Class of 1973 as the newest members of your society. After dinner, take a class photo before catching a shuttle back to your hotel or stick around for conversation with classmates in parlor-like settings arranged throughout the Rotunda and Maugans Alumni Center.
5:30 p.m. - until ?
- Alumni Night Out
  - Welcome home, Lancers! Kick off Homecoming and Alumni Weekend by exploring old favorites and current hot spots as you experience Farmville and Longwood nightlife. With live music at the North Street Press Club, an on-campus music recital, an alumni art show at the LCVA, and other family-friendly entertainment, there will be something for everyone!
11 p.m.
- Campus Ghost Tours
  - Conclude your evening with a (fun, yet spooky) campus ghost tour. Tours will begin on the Colonnades—hot chocolate and apple cider will be served.

SATURDAY, NOV. 11

10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
- Lancer Family Tailgate
  - Get game-time ready at Longwood's first Homecoming tailgate and fan zone. Enjoy games, great music, and free swag giveaways before the men's inaugural game in the new Joan Perry Brock Center. All ages are welcome, so bring the whole family and get excited to connect with old friends and make new ones. Stay tuned for more details and information, which will be shared this summer.
1 - 2 p.m.
- Golden Get-together: Show and Tell with Longwood Archives
  - Join fellow Gold Society members from the Class of 1973 and earlier for an exclusive tour of historical items in Greenwood Library’s Special Collections. Afterward, take a short walk across Brock Commons to the Joan Perry Brock Center to be a part of history as Longwood hosts its first-ever game in the new arena at 3 p.m. (Tickets for this game will be available in early fall—see below.)
2 p.m.
- Spirit Parade
  - Gather with new and old friends as we all parade our way to the new Joan Perry Brock Center to cheer on our men’s basketball team.
3 p.m.
- Homecoming Basketball Game
  - Get ready to witness the thrill of the FIRST basketball game in the new Joan Perry Brock Center and be a part of an unforgettable experience! Registrants will get exclusive access to purchase tickets for this game in early fall, prior to the general public. (Information will be provided on the purchasing process and seating arrangements prior to the sale.)
7:30 -11 p.m.
- Alumni Weekend Celebration
  - It will be a celebration to remember! Live music, dancing, baked Alaska, snacks and cash bar will make this after-game celebration the highlight of your visit! Registrants 21+ will receive one complimentary drink ticket.

SUNDAY, NOV. 12

10:30 a.m. - Noon
- 'Since You’ve Been Gone' Campus Tours / Weekend Wrap-Up
  - Didn't have a chance to catch a tour on Friday? Explore all things new on campus with a current student—either by foot or golf cart. Tours last 45 minutes to an hour. All tours start and end at the Rotunda. Whether you plan to catch a tour or not, stop by the Rotunda to say your goodbyes to old classmates and new friends. Not ready to depart yet? Grab brunch at the Longwood dining hall before hitting the road, available from 11 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. (extra charge)

Note: Schedule and times are subject to change, and more activities are being planned, so check back often! Be the first to hear about updates and announcements in our new Longwood Alumni Facebook Group.

DINING & LODGING

DINING

Students at Macados in Farmville

While meals and drinks are not included in the cost of registration (other than the Gold Society dinner on Friday and drink ticket/dessert at the celebration on Saturday), there will be plenty of dining options on campus and around town for you to enjoy!

You can find a list of area restaurants on VisitFarmville.com, which includes North Street Press Club, Fishin’ Pig, Macados, Charley’s Waterfront Cafe, Banditos, One19, Brew House and so much more! On-campus options include the Longwood dining hall, Farm Grill, Panda Express and more.

LODGING

Holiday Inn Express - Farmville

While on-campus lodging will not be available for homecoming guests, Farmville offers a wide array of hotels and housing options. You can find a comprehensive list of places to stay on VisitFarmville.com.

Longwood has reserved blocks of discounted rooms at a few area hotels, including the Hampton Inn, Tru by Hilton, and Holiday Inn Express. You'll receive more information on these discounted group rates and offer codes when you register. Note: These blocks of rooms are FILLING FAST, and some hotels may be fully booked.

Have Questions?

What can I expect? Will this be similar to previous Alumni Weekends?
- Many of the things you love about Alumni Weekend—great entertainment, singing in the Rotunda, the Spirit Parade—will be part of Homecoming & Alumni Weekend. But there's also so much more! Lancers will play their first basketball game in the new Joan Perry Brock Center, opening it in style with all the energy and enthusiasm that has become the hallmark of Longwood basketball. For those who want to come just for the day, you’re in luck—the highlights will take place on Saturday with our Lancer Family Tailgate, Spirit Parade, game and evening Alumni Weekend Celebration. While meals and drinks are not included in the cost of registration (other than the Gold Society dinner on Friday and drink ticket/dessert at the celebration on Saturday), there will be plenty of dining options on campus and around town for you to enjoy! (Registration fees were kept to a minimum this year to make the event more accessible to all alumni and friends.)
Why the change from June to November?
- We wanted to give alumni the chance to re-experience and reconnect with the energy and beauty of campus in the fall. Longwood is at its best when it’s buzzing with students. As you know, some of Longwood’s most cherished traditions happen in the fall. And then there’s basketball. Our men’s and women’s programs have been an energizing and unifying force both on campus and in the Farmville community. It is so exciting to give alumni the opportunity to experience Lancer basketball’s first game in the amazing new arena.
What type of lodging will be available?
- Because students will be on campus and residence halls will be occupied, we have arranged off-campus housing for Homecoming & Alumni Weekend. You can find a comprehensive list of places to stay on VisitFarmville.com, and several blocks of rooms have been reserved at the area hotels. We worked diligently with each hotel to set reasonable rates, and our hotel partners are eager to host you and your guests. You'll receive more information on these discounted group rates and offer codes upon registration.
Will the weekend be family-friendly? Are kids welcome?
- Yes! There will be lots of activities for children of all ages to enjoy. The Lancer Family Tailgate on Saturday will not only give kids plenty of room to work off some energy but also an area with a variety of outdoor games and activities. Children will also get a kick—and a big dose of Lancer spirit—out of attending the men’s basketball game in the brand-new Joan Perry Brock Center. Finally, children are welcome at the celebration in the evening after the game. Dessert is included in their registration—possibly giving them their first taste of Longwood’s famous baked Alaska!
I’m not a sports fan—should I come to Homecoming & Alumni Weekend?
- Absolutely. The opportunity to experience an event in the impressive new Joan Perry Brock Center is something both sports fans and non-sports fans should enjoy. If you decide you’d rather not go to the game, there are still plenty of other activities that weekend to keep you entertained. You’ll have time to explore and enjoy downtown Farmville. (Spoiler alert: if you haven’t visited in a while, you may be shocked at how much the town has grown.) On Saturday, hang out with your family and/or classmates at the Lancer Family Tailgate on campus. Or drop by the Greenwood Library to take a stroll down memory lane courtesy of items pulled from the Longwood archives. And the Spirit Parade, also on Saturday leading up to the basketball game, is always full of energy!
How do I register?
- Registration is now open! You can register here.
Who can I contact if I have more questions?
- Reach out to the Alumni Office at alumni@longwood.edu or (434) 395-2044.