See what’s in store for Emory Homecoming 2024

By Michelle Ricker Oct. 2, 2024

Emory Homecoming and Family Weekend 2024 will be here before you know it — and it’s packed with events happening on both the Atlanta and Oxford campuses.

Activities highlight Emory Heart + Atlanta Soul, which perfectly captures the opportunities to return to campus to discover, connect and reminisce.

The entire Emory community is invited to catch the annual Homecoming Parade on Saturday, Oct. 26, at noon. Bring your family or friends and get the best view from outside of the Student Center and along Asbury Circle.

After the parade, stick around for the Homecoming Food and Music Festival on McDonough Field. Festivities start at noon and include delicious food, eclectic live music, nostalgia and family fun.

This year’s festival headliner is X Ambassadors. Special guest Brittney Spencer and opening act Rumours Atlanta: A Fleetwood Mac Tribute will also perform.

You can check out the entire schedule and snag a festival map online.

Reconnect — and expand — your community

Homecoming Weekend is the perfect time to reconnect with your Emory community and even expand it. With plenty of happenings to choose from, attendees are sure to walk away with new friends.

Join the Emory Alumni Association on Friday, Oct. 25, for the Homecoming Kickoff Party, starting at 7:30 p.m. Attendees will enjoy food, drinks and live entertainment while forging new connections and strengthening existing ones.

Get moving on Saturday, Oct. 26, with the Emory Homecoming and Family Weekend 5K. The walk/run begins outside the Student Activity and Academic Center at 8:30 a.m. and will run through Lullwater Park. The event is free for Emory University students, faculty, staff, alumni, friends and families, but registration is required.

Join the Caucus of Emory Black Alumni (CEBA) at 10 a.m. Saturday for the annual Homecoming brunch and tailgate. This year, festivities will be held on Patterson Green and Jenkins Courtyard at Goizueta Business School. Connect with current students and alumni, discover more about Black Emory's presence across the university and enjoy a cookout, music and games.

At 11 a.m. on Saturday, join Latinx at Emory to reconnect with fellow alumni, learn about the Latinx presence at Emory, and enjoy an afternoon of music, food, games and drinks.

Then at 1 p.m., join the Belonging and Community Justice (BCJ) Kickback after the Homecoming Parade. Enjoy light refreshments and a DJ while checking out the BCJ identity spaces, located on the third floor of Cox Hall.

Saturday night, bring your dancing shoes and join Black alumni for an evening of fun, including a DJ, heavy hors d’oeuvres, swag giveaways and more. The Black Alumni Homecoming After Party starts at 8 p.m. in Buckhead, and tickets are required.

Learn something new

Classrooms aren’t just for current students. This Homecoming, head back to class and learn more about these hot topics from some of Emory’s leading experts.

On Friday, Oct. 25, Emory College hosts “Miracle or Tragedy? Anticipating the Challenges of Administering the 2024 Election” with experts Bernard Fraga and Charles Stewart 79C. The class begins at 3:15 p.m. and will examine how the continued adaptation of election laws and practices — and political pressures — can provide insights on what to expect once the polls close on Nov. 5.

More interested in artificial intelligence (AI)?

Learn more during two different sessions on Saturday, Oct. 26. Head to “Transforming Education with AI: How GBS is Leveraging AI in Research and Teaching” at 9:30 a.m. to dive into the future of education and see how AI is enabling state-of-the-art research at the intersection of business and technology and revolutionizing the classroom experience. The faculty panel, which includes David Schweidel, Rajiv Garg, Karl Kihnert and Wen Gu, will showcase projects that explore the impact of AI on business and society and share the innovative ways AI is being integrated into teaching.

Then, at 11 a.m., enjoy “Business Applications of AI,” which will discuss how generative AI is making strides across multiple business functions and examine the ethical and technical challenges of AI that require careful consideration. The faculty panel includes Jesse Bockstedt, Anandhi Bharadwaj, Benn Konsynski and David Schweidel.

Both AI sessions are in Goizueta Business School, Room 130, East Wing.

There are also chances to learn outside the classroom during the Homecoming and Family Weekend festivities.

You can bring your questions to the Michael C. Carlos Museum on Saturday for talks with docents in the galleries. They will offer information on the permanent collection and special exhibitions from 12-2 p.m. Special exhibitions include artwork by La Vaughn Bell called “Come Ruin or Rapture” in the Howett Works on Paper Gallery and “Picture Worlds: Greek, Maya, and Moche Pottery.” Look for the museum tent on the Quadrangle for art-making activities related to the exhibitions.

Find out more about Atlanta’s 1990s LGBTQ+ and arts scene at a talk with artist Royce Soble and Randy Gue, starting at 1 p.m. Saturday in the Robert W. Woodruff Library, Jones Room. Photographer and multimedia artist Soble will be in conversation with Gue, who is the Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library curator of political, cultural and social movements. Soble’s photographs, journals and other digital materials are archived in the Rose Library’s collections.

Even more for students

This year’s student-focused theme is Swooplanta, with the fun kicking off Saturday, Oct. 19. The weeklong celebration will focus on the rich cultural significance and prominent landmarks of Atlanta, connecting Emory students to the past, present and future of this city.

Check out just a few of the highlights below and keep an eye on The Hub for more information.

On Monday, Oct. 21, enjoy Swoopin’ through Downtown, starting at 6 p.m. on McDonough Field. Students can enjoy a vintage enclosed photo booth for keepsake snapshots and engage in fun, competitive inflatable games such as giant soccer darts, full-court basketball and quarterback blitz. A highlight of the event is the airbrushing station, where custom trucker hats will be created as Swooplanta-themed merchandise. There will also be an NAACP table offering trivia focused on Atlanta’s civil rights legacy and a painting class inspired by the city’s artistic landmarks. Plus, enjoy delicious food from Ponko Chicken.

On Tuesday, Oct. 22, head back to McDonough Field at 5 p.m. for Swoop’s Belt Market, a large-scale vendor market that brings together student creators and dozens of external vendors, reflecting the energy of vendors on Atlanta's Beltline. Curated in collaboration with Don’tPanicUSA, this event offers a diverse selection of clothing and art goods, showcasing local craftsmanship and creativity. Alongside the market, carnival games will provide entertainment with food catered by Grecian Gyro. Students who bring donations will receive an express pass to access exclusive event merchandise.

On Wednesday, Oct. 23, Music McDonough takes over McDonough Field at 6 p.m. Inspired by Atlanta’s iconic Music Midtown festival, the event will feature a diverse lineup of student performers showcasing their musical talents and creating an electric atmosphere. The food will be catered by Williamson’s Barbeque and there will also be fresh Krispy Kreme donuts.

Finally, on Friday, Oct. 25, Lullwater Day returns to the Clairmont Campus Rec Field at 5 p.m. Lullwater Day is inspired by the serene beauty of the Atlanta Botanical Garden and crafted for parents, students and alumni alike. The event will feature a photo booth, giant Jenga, cornhole, a ballistic swing ride and more. There will also be gourmet offerings from local favorites like Alon’s Bakery, Holy Crepe and Tippy Tap.

Celebrate Homecoming and Family Weekend at Oxford

There is plenty planned for families celebrating on the Oxford College campus. Oxford College Family Weekend registration ends Friday, Oct. 9, so sign up today.

Enjoy a theatrical performance of “Soul Samurai” by Qui Nguyen at Tarbutton Theater. The OxTheatre presentation focuses on a young Samurai girl named Dewdrop and her faithful sidekick Cert, who must battle through vampire-infested Brooklyn to make it home after avenging the death of Dewdrop’s lover. Tickets are available for showings Oct. 24-26.

On Saturday, Oct. 26, join a 5K run/walk or a one-mile fun run. The race starts at the Oxford dining hall at 8:30 a.m. Saturday. The 5K race winds through the streets of Oxford, Georgia and culminates on the quadrangle of Oxford College, the birthplace of Emory University. The run/walk is stroller-friendly and leashed pets are welcome.

Later on Saturday, mark 10 years of the Oxford Organic Farm with live music, farm tours, hors d’oeuvres and refreshments starting at 4 p.m. The farm is across the street from campus, making it easily accessible for visitors.

Cheer on the Eagles

On Saturday, Oct. 26, cheer on the Emory swimming and diving teams as they face University of the South. The meet starts at 1 p.m. in the Woodruff PE Center and there will be new merchandise and other promotions available for fans.

Celebrating on the Oxford campus? Cheer on the men’s basketball team at 5 p.m. as they take on Summer Hill Prep at Williams Gymnasium.

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