Welcome Home Weekend

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Welcome Home Weekend

Crowd of people running onto the field at Homecoming 2025

Thousands return to Utica for Homecoming 2025

President Todd Pfannestiel heads into Homecoming 2025

After several days of rain, the skies parted as if on schedule, bringing sunshine and warm temperatures just as thousands of Utica alumni, students, parents, and friends, gathered on campus to celebrate everything it means to be a Pioneer.

Games of cornhole. Live music. Utica paraphernalia. The smell of BBQ in the air behind Thurston Hall as the annual Construction Management all-campus gathering offered an array of grilled goodies. People sipping on iced coffee from the Latte Love truck as they walked along the path to Gaetano Stadium.

With three days of events, entertainment, athletics, and great company, there was no shortage of fun, food, or conversation at Homecoming 2025, no matter the generation.

“I like seeing everybody”

Mike Malzhan, a Communication and Media major graduating in December, headed out to ABM Field to join his football teammates on Saturday after enjoying food, friends, and fun at the tailgate in Parking Lot A.

“All the alumni coming back together really shows the family feel here at Utica,” Malzhan said.

Jaimie Pucci, parent of a first-year student, was also enjoying the refreshments and fellowship that the tailgate offered, as well as a chance to get a closer look at the campus community.

“The atmosphere here is great,” Pucci said. “I’m looking forward to the football game and enjoying some time at Utica University.”

The weekend was like a massive birthday party for Logan Benson ’26, a Sports Management major whose birthday was on Friday. What better way to celebrate than with a few thousand classmates and their families?

For Benson, it wouldn’t be fall without Homecoming weekend. He’s been attending every year since he started at Utica.

“I like seeing everybody,” he said. “Alumni, current students, older students, everyone.”

Athletes playing Spikeball at Homecoming 2025

On a field of grass just a few feet away from the tailgate, Lauren Jones ’26 and her friends were engaged in a rousing game of Spikeball, where teams of two players hit a ball into a small trampoline-like net in hopes of besting their opponents. For the MBA student and volleyball player, it was a chance to not only spend some time with friends and teammates, but to experience Homecoming for the very first time.

“I play volleyball and we usually have a game, but we didn’t have one today, so I get to be here,” she said. “It’s gonna be fun - we have great weather, and everyone’s family is here.”

Pioneer spirit on tap

Abby D'Amato and Dawson Lagoe stand near their North East Tap Co. Beer Truck at Homecoming 2025

The drinks flowed throughout the weekend for those wanting to partake, thanks in large part to Dawson Lagoe ’22 and Abby D’Amato ’22, who were serving up beer from their Northeast Tap Company truck – a converted 1969 Ford F600 fire engine.

“It’s pretty awesome,” Lagoe said. “It’s not so much a novelty anymore. I think people are seeing it as more of a usual thing now at events, which is great.”

The duo launched the mobile bartending venture to carry on the memory of their late friend, JP Ramel ’22, a fellow Construction Management major who passed away following a fatal stroke on April 10, 2022, just weeks before his graduation.

The idea for North East Tap Company was sparked the moment D’Amato saw the vintage fire truck in a Facebook Marketplace post her mother shared with her. After restoring the vehicle at a cost of $40,000, D’Amato and Lagoe began bringing the eight-tap converted fire engine to various fundraiser events. Proceeds from events they attend benefit causes supporting emergency responders and military servicemembers as well as efforts to establish the John “JP” Ramel Memorial Scholarship at Utica, which, once endowed, will support future Construction Management students.

“We should reach the status of an award this year and a full-blown scholarship next year,” Lagoe says.

Reconnecting across generations

Alex Hodkinson with Trax in bleachers at Homecoming 2025

As an alum who recently took on the role of Assistant Director of Campus Engagement, Al Hodkinson ’17 looks forward to seeing his fellow Pioneers every year at Homecoming. But now that he’s a staffer, he says every day is nostalgic.

“I walk around campus and remember the experiences I had and try to facilitate that with what I do with our current students. I find it an honor and a privilege to work here every day,” Hodkinson says. “Then at Homecoming, I get to see my fellow classmates. Seeing the excitement on their faces as the come back is something I really look forward to.”

And it certainly was a generational affair, as numerous classes from throughout Utica’s history gathered to share in the memories. The Class of 1975 was welcomed into the Golden Pioneers at the annual luncheon, marking 50 years of being Utica alums, as the institution also honored members of the classes of 1960, 1962, 1970, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976 and 1977 in attendance.

“It’s a great day to be a Pioneer and a Golden Pioneer,” said President Todd Pfannestiel. “Utica University is built on the transformative principle of learning. Everything we accomplish today is built upon what came before us and universities are sustained by the people who believe in it.”