Homecoming & Family Weekend 2020 Schedule
#EUnited Homecoming 2020: Better together, near or far! 
All Homecoming alumni registrants will receive a special #EUnited Reception Kit! Please make sure to register with a valid mailing address to receive your reception kit. One kit per alumni registrant.
Wednesday, October 7
Kicking off the #EUnited Homecoming weekend, alumni, faculty, students and staff are invited to this inaugural event, as we come together virtually to celebrate our entire community. Hear from Alumnus of the Year, James Mast ’09, MA ’16, Distinguished Young Alumna of the Year, Christina Gann Gomez ’14, MS, and current Eastern staff member and Lamplight Society Inductee, Theresa Noye as they speak about how Eastern prepared and transformed them for their successes, and how they live Eastern’s mission in their every-day lives.
Thursday October 8
A lot of things may still be uncertain, but certainly the search for the right job or candidate goes on! Join the Eastern University community for the first ever virtual Fall Career Fair with the Center for Career Development at Eastern University. Eastern is here and has the resources and support for you during your career development journey!
Both employers and participants will need to create an account in Handshake and connect with Eastern (if they have not done so previously).
- Looking for a job? Register as a PARTICIPANT
- Have an opening at your company and are looking to hire fellow Eastern alumni? Register as an EMPLOYER
Questions? Email the Center for Career Development at Eastern University at careers@eastern.edu
One of the most exciting developments at Palmer this year has been the creation of the Palmer Alumni Care Initiative. Palmer Alumni and students nearing their graduation are invited to e-meet Christen Blore, MDiv '18 and Caroline Corda-Razat, MDiv '18, our dedicated Palmer Alumni Chaplains & Ministry Liaisons. Christen and Caroline have been working faithfully to reach out to our cherished Palmer alumni and strengthen community bonds. Join fellow Palmer alumni to learn what the Palmer ACI have been up to, where they are planning to go for the future and how you can be an integral part of the journey!
Are you looking to volunteer at Eastern and connect more with your fellow alumni? Then make sure to join us for a quick overview of the Eastern University Alumni Advisory Board! Meet your current alumni leaders and discuss the multitude of opportunities for service and engagement in the Eastern alumni community, including marketing & event planning, recruitment, mentorship and community service.
Relive the music, movies and pop culture of your class decade! Time to go head-to-head against your fellow classmates and see if you remember TV, movie, music and pop culture trivia like which TV show dominated the ratings in the ‘70s, which 'I Think We're Alone Now' ‘80s singer gained recognition by performing at shopping malls or which ‘90s movie featured the Looney Tunes on its soundtrack. Each decade has its own specific questions, but the fun will be shared through all the classes!
(p.s. In case you were wondering, the answers are All in the Family, Tiffany & Space Jam!)
Friday, October 9
What does it mean to be a Christian community during times of difficulty? Deborah E. Watson, Palmer Seminary Chaplain & Joseph B. Modica, Ph.D., University Chaplain will discuss what God’s faithfulness looks like in the midst of a pandemic. Then hear from some of our Palmer Theological Seminary students & alumni and our undergraduate student & alumni chaplains as they reflect on how we can be better together, near or far, as we also celebrate 33 years of the student chaplain program!
Exciting news in Eastern Athletics! This year, the Men’s Soccer team welcomed a new coach, Kevin Brenner. Join fellow soccer alumni to learn more about Coach Brenner and how our Eastern student athletes have been handling these unprecedented times and what the future may hold for the team!
Eastern alumni truly are better together, near or far! We may be traveling less and maintaining social distance, but join alumni from your area to catch up and learn what they have been up to in such an unprecedented year! Grab your favorite beverage, your comfiest clothes and settle in for the #EUnited Happy Hour at home!
- 6 p.m. EDT - East Coast #EUnited Happy Hour: Register Online!
- 7 p.m. EDT / 6 p.m. CDT - Central #EUnited Night Happy Hour: Register Online!
- 9 p.m. EDT/ 6 p.m. PDT - West Coast #EUnited Happy Hour: Register Online!
Saturday, October 10
Grab your #EUnited Homecoming reception kit popcorn and sit back for an entertaining, moving and sometimes hilarious showing of our Eastern community’s varied gifts! Eastern alumni and student singers, actors, athletes, comics, and more shine in this #EUnited Talent Spotlight!
Led by Kimberlee A. Johnson, D. Min, Urban Studies Program Director, Center for Community Engagement and Prison Education Program
It’s been almost a year since Just Mercy was released in theaters, and if you were able to watch it, either at one of our #EUnited movie showings or at home OnDemand, make sure to join your fellow alumni for an online conversation & reflection about this riveting film. Just Mercy takes an honest and sometimes uncomfortable look at race, equality, and justice in America, and the fight that continues today to end mass incarceration and excessive punishment in the United States. Learn more about how Eastern alumni such as Bryan Stevenson '81, faculty and students are helping to challenge racial and economic injustice, and protect basic human rights for the most vulnerable people in American society.
Hosted by the Campolo Center with special guests and distinguished alumni/ea, Tony ('56, '60, 61) and Peggy ('59) Campolo.
Come hang out (online) with Tony and Peggy and current and alumni Campolo Scholars as we share stories about "The Best Of..." the best memories, classes, professors, and experiences while a student at Eastern or Palmer. Friends and family of Campolo Scholars are encouraged to join us to meet Tony and Peggy, and other Campolo Scholars. Alumni and friends of Eastern, Palmer and the Campolo Center are encouraged to join in the fellowship too!
All participants will be entered into a drawing for prizes (signed copies of Tony’s books and Eastern swag).
Join your fellow athletes, artists & business leaders for an afternoon of catching up & mentorship! Eastern Alumni and students come together to learn how Eastern alumni have transformed their lives with their Eastern degree while students shed light on what current Eastern programs and life are like. Each event will be kicked off with short program updates from our directors and deans!
Feel free to reception hop if you were a member of multiple affinities!
The Locker Room hosted by Eric McNelly, Director of Athletic Development: Register Online!
The Green Room hosted by Steven Ford, Ph.D., AFA, Executive Director, Fine and Performing Arts Division: Register Online!
The Boardroom hosted by Al Socci, D.B.A., Dean of the College of Business and Leadership: Register Online!
We know this year wasn’t what you were expecting, and The Office of Alumni Relations wants to make sure that while we wait for the formal commencement ceremony, you get a special celebration, just for you! Join your fellow 2020 graduates, from all colleges and campuses & be officially welcomed and celebrated as alumni, while learning what everyone has been up to during these unique times. Eastern is here for you and we appreciate the way you handled 2020 with grace, patience and understanding!
Gather with your class to celebrate your reunion milestone! The afternoon will start with a special celebration honoring our 50 Year Reunion Class of Golden Eagles the Class of 1970! Following this short program, alumni will be divided into meeting rooms based on their class year. Palmer alumni will also have their own meeting rooms. Please make sure to follow the registration directions below for this event to be placed into your appropriate reunion room.
Please register for this event with your class year in your last name, example John Beaker ‘70
If you are a Palmer graduate, please include PTS after your class year, example Jane Beaker ’70 PTS
