Homecoming 2025: Where Legacy Meets New Beginnings
Published: November 16, 2025
Photo by Dave Bell.
Greenville University’s Homecoming & Family Weekend, held October 23–26, 2025, was more than a celebration of the past—it was a vibrant reunion of stories, generations, and faith woven together across several decades.
Honoring the Past, Building the Future
The weekend opened with a pair of historic dedications at the Strahl Athletic Complex: the Robert E. “Ish” Smith Museum and Coach David Altopp Fieldhouse, honoring two GU legends whose influence shaped decades of Panther baseball. These new facilities preserve their legacy for generations of student-athletes to come.
Meanwhile, the Bock Sculpture Museum marked its 50th anniversary with an open house inside the historic Almira College House, celebrating both its artistry and GU’s 170-year campus history.
Photos by Dave Bell.
A Campus Alive with Spirit
From Thursday's Vespers service to Friday night's Panther Palooza, the campus was alive with music, games, and conversations. The annual Homecoming Parade drew crowds along College Avenue, while alumni athletic games rekindled team rivalries and friendships.
In on-the-street interviews, current students described the weekend as “homey,” “energizing,” and “something everyone should experience.”
Faculty echoed the same encouragement: “Participate in everything,” said Professor Jane Bell. “Homecoming is where you find what makes GU special—the people.”
Photo by Dave Bell.
Celebrating Legacy and Leadership
Saturday evening brought together alumni, students, and friends for a Homecoming Honors Awards ceremony. Included in the evening were an Alumni Gala, Athletic Hall of Fame Awards, and Alumni Awards.
These celebrations highlighted GU’s tradition of cultivating leaders of character and service—people whose stories reflect God’s faithfulness through every generation.
Photo by Dave Bell. 
Photo by Wyatt Boyer.
The Weekend in Reflection
As Sunday’s “Songs and Stories” service closed the weekend, it was clear that Homecoming 2025 was not just about looking back—it was about looking forward.
Through every dedication, reunion, and shared moment, Greenville University’s enduring mission shone bright: to see, know, and inspire each member of its community to live out their calling in Christ.
Photo by Dave Bell.
