A View of GU - April 2026

RETURN, REMEMBER, RECOVER & HOMECOMING & FAMILY WEEKEND 2026

A View of GU – APRIL 2026

BY ROBYN (JAENKE) FLORIAN '88

“Hope returns when I remember this one thing: The Lord's unfailing love and mercy still continue, fresh as the morning, as sure as the sunrise. The Lord is all I have, and so in him I put my hope.” – Lamentations 3:21–24 

In the March issue of “A View of GU,” we considered what it means to embody “a people whose hearts are set on pilgrimage” (Psalm 84:5), along with the spiritual, personal, relational and vocational journeys catalyzed by a Greenville University education. 

For we who have heeded God’s call to walk with Him through numerous and various valley and vista moments do so with the hope of arriving in places of new purpose and promise.  

If there is one thing I’ve learned throughout my 13+ years of service to GU, is that we may sing, “Though from here our paths may sever / And we distant roam,” with our graduates as we cut the ivy and send out our beloved students into the awaiting world, but, truth be told, many faculty and staff are humming under their breath during that last line, “but please return home.” ☺️ We may exuberantly cheer on a new class of graduates every year at Commencement, but we look forward to your homecoming with equal excitement. We know the value of revisiting the formational soil story of faith experienced at GU. 

Scripture reinforces the value of returning, remembering and recovering our stories for the sake of acquiring new understanding and new meaning about God, ourselves, others in our community, and our vocational calling in the world. “‘Return to me,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will return to you’ (Zech. 1:3b). “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago” (Ps. 77:11). “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life” (Matt. 11:28). 

Returning, remembering and recovering … it’s all about identity. In returning to faith-infused “soil story” spaces—whether it be through daily scripture reading or regular GU Homecoming pilgrimages—God welcomes every opportunity to remind us of who He is, who we are in Him, exactly what He’s called us to do, and exactly who He’s called us to lead (Eph. 1:18–19-ish MSG). Returning, remembering and recovering helps us make new sense of old stories in meaningful ways. 

In the context of returning to GU, it’s about revisiting the individual and communal identity God spoke into your life as a student as you continue to process new seasons of uncertainty, change and growth in our adult lives. Returning “home” often offers us the opportunity to “remember more rightly” the wonders He has done (Psalm 105:5) in the past and reorient ourselves for new, good works in the future. 

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SAVE THE DATE! HOMECOMING & FAMILY WEEKEND 2026 

The Greenville University Alumni Association invites you to return to GU, “Remember that We Are Ivy, “ and recover your stories at Homecoming & Family Weekend 2026, October 15–18, 2026. 🧡🐾🌿  

If you are members of the reunion classes of 1976, 1986, 2001 and 2016, it’s your time for 50, 40, 25 and 10-year reunions, respectively. We will also host affinity gatherings for the sciences, Rapport and our reunion classes on Saturday morning. And, as always, we want everyone to come back every year! 🎉 The more the merrier, especially if you have an affinity for other classes in addition to your own. 

A Glimpse of Homecoming & Family Weekend 2026 (Tentative Schedule) 

Make plans to be with us this fall! New opportunities to gather at this year’s celebration include: 

• Thursday evening alumni informal gathering for the 50-Year Reunion Class of 1976 at the home of Cindy & Rex Catron. 

• Saturday Alumni & Family Gathering on the Green; Affinity Gatherings for the Sciences, Rapport; and the Homecoming Honors Banquet honoring the Class of 1976, Alumni Awards recipients and Hall of Fame inductees. 

• As well as the return of numerous alumni and intercollegiate athletic events, choir and band concerts, and other student showcases. 

THURSDAY, October 15 

• 11:30 a.m. “Almost Alumni” Senior Class Lunch & Learn w/ Alumni 

• 5:00 p.m. Informal 50-Year Reunion Gathering 

• 7:00 p.m. GU Choir Concert 

• 9:30 p.m. Student-Led Vespers 

FRIDAY, October 16 

• 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Admissions Legacy Preview Day 

• 9:00–10:00 a.m. Coffee & Conversation 

• 10:00–11:30 a.m. Off-Campus Tour (Shuttlers to Athletic Facilities, Equine Center & SMART Center) 

• 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Lunch in Dining Commons or in Greenville 

• 2:30–3:45 p.m. On-Campus Walking Tour & Tour of Gullies 

• 4:30 p.m. Homecoming Parade 

• 5:30–8:30 p.m. 50-, 40-, 25- & 10-Year Class Reunion Gatherings 

• 5:30–7:30 p.m. Food Trucks, Entertainment, Games, Kids Activities & More 

• Plus Alumni & Intercollegiate Athletic Events and Other Student Activities 

SATURDAY, October 17 

• 8–9:30 a.m. Panther 5K & Kids Fun Run 

• 9 a.m. Alumni & Family Gathering on the Green 

• 9:30–11 a.m. Affinity Reunions (Rapport Student Group, Science Presentations & Wilson T. Hogue) 

• 11:30 a.m. Homecoming Tailgate Lunch (Concessions & Food Trucks) 

• 5:30–8:00 p.m. Homecoming Honors Banquet 

• Plus Alumni & Intercollegiate Athletic Events and Other Student Activities 

SUNDAY, October 18 

• 9:30 a.m. Local Worship Services 

• 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Homecoming Brunch 

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👟 YOUR NEXT STEPS:  Mark your calendars for Homecoming & Family Weekend 2026, October 15–18, 2026! 🧡🐾🌿 Like our “GU Alumni Association” Facebook page and join your class reunion group! Reserve your hotel rooms! Follow "Greenville University Alumni on Instagram! Get your plane tickets! Share Homecoming social posts with classmates! (You get the picture. 😇) 

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Until we meet again … keep praying. Keep watching. And keep thanking God with us for the good work He continues to do on campus in the lives of GU students, faculty and staff and in you, our GU alumni and friends. 🧡🐾🌿