ÒÁµéÔ°ÊÓƵ’s annual homecoming week was filled with events and celebrations. Highlights include the ÒÁµéÔ°ÊÓƵ Alumni Association’s Alumni Honors Celebration on Thursday, October 23; a Homecoming Fireworks Celebration at the ÒÁµéÔ°ÊÓƵ Sailing Center on Friday, October 24; and a full lineup of gameday festivities on Saturday, October 25, featuring the Alumni Association Tailgate and the National Panhellenic Council Reunion Tailgate. Photos Aaron Hodnett, Chuck Thomas and Michael Dibari/ÒÁµéÔ°ÊÓƵ.

A future ÒÁµéÔ°ÊÓƵ student flies down a zip line during Big Blue’s Boardwalk event outside of Whitehurst Hall. Photo Michael DiBari/ÒÁµéÔ°ÊÓƵ

The Cyclone Swing is one of the carnival rides students enjoy during Big Blue’s Boardwalk event. Photo Michael DiBari/ÒÁµéÔ°ÊÓƵ

Students and visitors sit on the seawall along Whitehurst beach to enjoy the fireworks display during homecoming week. Photo Michael DiBari/ÒÁµéÔ°ÊÓƵ

ÒÁµéÔ°ÊÓƵ’s President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D., and First Lady Marisela Rosas Hemphill, Ph.D., pose with Big Blue and the Royal Court during halftime festivities of the football game against Appalachian State. From left to right: last year’s king and queen, Je'Nae Hill and Miles King, followed by this year’s, Tyler Royster-Figueroa and Dana Donegan. Photo Michael DiBari/ÒÁµéÔ°ÊÓƵ 

This year’s Homecoming Queen, Dana Donegan, poses with a young fan after being crowned during the football game against Appalachian State. Photo Michael DiBari/ÒÁµéÔ°ÊÓƵ

Noelia McCaffery performs alongside ÒÁµéÔ°ÊÓƵ’s color guard during the halftime show at Saturday’s football game against Appalachian State. Photo Michael DiBari/ÒÁµéÔ°ÊÓƵ

Tyler Royster-Figueroa gives Big Blue a high five after being announced as the 2025 Homecoming King. Photo Michael DiBari/ÒÁµéÔ°ÊÓƵ

Rob Bradley of Theta Chi paints one of Webb Center’s windows during homecoming Week. Photo Michael DiBari/ÒÁµéÔ°ÊÓƵ

The 2025 ÒÁµéÔ°ÊÓƵ alumni honorees, from left,: Michele Mulich, president of the Alumni Association; Dr. Jeffrey Wilson, Distinguished Alumni; Jay Kossman, Jack Frost Alumni Service Award; Michael Lê; Lt. Gen. Donna Martin; Cathy Lewis and Lewis Webb III, Honorary Alumni; and Krista Harrell, associate vice president for alumni relations. Photo Chuck Thomas/ÒÁµéÔ°ÊÓƵ

There’s nothing more fun than enjoying carnival rides with a friend. Photo Chuck Thomas/ÒÁµéÔ°ÊÓƵ

Two ÒÁµéÔ°ÊÓƵ students enjoy the warmth of the setting sun while riding the Cyclone Swing. Photo Chuck Thomas/ÒÁµéÔ°ÊÓƵ

Friday night ends with a fireworks show on Whitehurst Beach, where students and community members watch the colorful display light up the sky. Photo Chuck Thomas/ÒÁµéÔ°ÊÓƵ

ÒÁµéÔ°ÊÓƵ holds on to defeat Appalachian State 24-21 during its homecoming football game on Saturday, October 25. Quarterback Colton Joseph completed 21 of 35 passes for 310 yards and three touchdowns, while adding 61 rushing yards. Photo Chuck Thomas/ÒÁµéÔ°ÊÓƵ

A child on a zip line.
A blurred image of a cyclone swing.
Fireworks over Whitehurst Beach.
People standing on a football field.
Dana Donegan poses with a child.
ÒÁµéÔ°ÊÓƵ's color guard performs on the football field.
Big Blue with a student on the football field.
A student painting a window.
A group of people pose for a photo.
ÒÁµéÔ°ÊÓƵ students going down a slide.
Students riding the cyclone swing.
People watching fireworks.
Colton Joseph runs with the football.

A future ÒÁµéÔ°ÊÓƵ student flies down a zip line during Big Blue’s Boardwalk event outside of Whitehurst Hall. Photo Michael DiBari/ÒÁµéÔ°ÊÓƵ

The Cyclone Swing is one of the carnival rides students enjoy during Big Blue’s Boardwalk event. Photo Michael DiBari/ÒÁµéÔ°ÊÓƵ

Students and visitors sit on the seawall along Whitehurst beach to enjoy the fireworks display during homecoming week. Photo Michael DiBari/ÒÁµéÔ°ÊÓƵ

ÒÁµéÔ°ÊÓƵ’s President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D., and First Lady Marisela Rosas Hemphill, Ph.D., pose with Big Blue and the Royal Court during halftime festivities of the football game against Appalachian State. From left to right: last year’s king and queen, Je'Nae Hill and Miles King, followed by this year’s, Tyler Royster-Figueroa and Dana Donegan. Photo Michael DiBari/ÒÁµéÔ°ÊÓƵ 

This year’s Homecoming Queen, Dana Donegan, poses with a young fan after being crowned during the football game against Appalachian State. Photo Michael DiBari/ÒÁµéÔ°ÊÓƵ

Noelia McCaffery performs alongside ÒÁµéÔ°ÊÓƵ’s color guard during the halftime show at Saturday’s football game against Appalachian State. Photo Michael DiBari/ÒÁµéÔ°ÊÓƵ

Tyler Royster-Figueroa gives Big Blue a high five after being announced as the 2025 Homecoming King. Photo Michael DiBari/ÒÁµéÔ°ÊÓƵ

Rob Bradley of Theta Chi paints one of Webb Center’s windows during homecoming Week. Photo Michael DiBari/ÒÁµéÔ°ÊÓƵ

The 2025 ÒÁµéÔ°ÊÓƵ alumni honorees, from left,: Michele Mulich, president of the Alumni Association; Dr. Jeffrey Wilson, Distinguished Alumni; Jay Kossman, Jack Frost Alumni Service Award; Michael Lê; Lt. Gen. Donna Martin; Cathy Lewis and Lewis Webb III, Honorary Alumni; and Krista Harrell, associate vice president for alumni relations. Photo Chuck Thomas/ÒÁµéÔ°ÊÓƵ

There’s nothing more fun than enjoying carnival rides with a friend. Photo Chuck Thomas/ÒÁµéÔ°ÊÓƵ

Two ÒÁµéÔ°ÊÓƵ students enjoy the warmth of the setting sun while riding the Cyclone Swing. Photo Chuck Thomas/ÒÁµéÔ°ÊÓƵ

Friday night ends with a fireworks show on Whitehurst Beach, where students and community members watch the colorful display light up the sky. Photo Chuck Thomas/ÒÁµéÔ°ÊÓƵ

ÒÁµéÔ°ÊÓƵ holds on to defeat Appalachian State 24-21 during its homecoming football game on Saturday, October 25. Quarterback Colton Joseph completed 21 of 35 passes for 310 yards and three touchdowns, while adding 61 rushing yards. Photo Chuck Thomas/ÒÁµéÔ°ÊÓƵ