Marietta College invites alumni, students, families, and community members to step back on campus for Homecoming 2025, taking place Thursday, Oct. 16 through Sunday, Oct. 19. This year’s theme, Marietta Serenade, nods to a beloved tradition from Homecomings of the past, with the weekend’s programming celebrating the College’s longstanding performing arts tradition while uniting generations of Pioneers who continue to define Marietta’s legacy. The weekend promises to fill campus with energy, excitement, and a touch of nostalgia as alumni engage with today’s vibrant student community.
Originally a signature Homecoming event from the 1960s through the 1980s, Marietta Serenade featured student-led musical performances that brought the campus together in song and celebration. This fall, that legacy will be honored through performances by the College’s Music and Theatre programs, along with a variety of events highlighting Marietta’s academic strengths, Greek Life, athletics, student leadership, and community engagement. Marietta Serenade reflects the College’s deep sense of community — one that continues to grow stronger through service, purpose, and shared Pioneer spirit.
Students will spend the week leading up to Homecoming celebrating Marietta pride, as the Pioneer Activities Council will host a series of student-centered activities from friendly competitions and food trucks to music and moments of connection across campus. Homecoming candidates are also embracing a spirit of giving through a philanthropic effort to collect pop tabs benefiting the Ronald McDonald House to support families in need, demonstrating the College’s enduring commitment to service and leadership.
Homecoming weekend also marks milestone alumni reunions, including the Golden Reunion for the Class of 1975, and gatherings for the classes of 1985, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, and 2015. Alumni will have opportunities to reconnect with classmates, visit familiar corners of campus, and witness the next generation of Pioneers making their mark.
The excitement continues with a full slate of special events that showcase the creativity, connection, and campus pride that define the Marietta experience, including the inauguration ceremony honoring President Kathleen Poorman Dougherty on Friday Oct. 17; fraternity and alumni receptions; an alumna art exhibit, Quiet Majesty, and artist reception in the Hermann Fine Arts Center Atrium Gallery; the 20th annual New Plays in One Day Festival staged by the Theatre Department; and opportunities to cheer on Pioneer athletic teams. Saturday’s Pioneer tailgate precedes an Ohio Athletic Conference matchup in which the Pioneer Football team faces Muskingum University at Don Drumm Stadium.
“Homecoming 2025 is a time to honor our past, celebrate the present, and welcome the future of Marietta College,” President Kathleen Poorman Dougherty said. “We are eager to welcome alumni and friends to experience the vibrant life of our campus, sharing in the excitement of traditions and moments that continue to make Marietta a place where students thrive, and alumni feel at home.”
Whether returning for a milestone reunion, stepping back on campus for the first time since graduation, or participating as a first-time attendee, Homecoming 2025 offers a weekend to gather and celebrate the College’s legacy. Together, Marietta College continues to make history while welcoming each new generation into the Long Blue Line.
Alumni and friends planning to attend may pre-register online or visit the registration table in the Hermann Fine Arts Center lobby during Homecoming. For questions or more information, contact the Office of Alumni Engagement at alumni@marietta.edu or 740-376-4709, or visit marietta.edu/alumni/homecoming.