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    Fireworks

    Homecoming & Family Weekend

    Whether you are an alum, parent, or friend, Homecoming & Family Weekend brings everyone together for a weekend filled with fun and DeSales University spirit.

    27-28 Sept 2024 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM 2755 Station Avenue Center Valley, PA 18034
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    Hall of Fame Reception and Dinner

    4:45 p.m. | DeSales University Center

    • The DeSales University Athletic Hall of Fame was created to identify, honor and recognize players, coaches, administrators and teams who have distinguished themselves through intercollegiate athletics or have brought honor to the University through their team's accomplishments in athletics. This year, we are excited to welcome eight new members and celebrate their athletic accomplishments.
    • 4:45 p.m. - Cocktails
    • 5:30 p.m. - Dinner & Ceremony
    • Cost: $30 per person (children 12 & under are free
    • Announcing the 2024 Hall of Fame Inductees:
      • Matt Brancaccio ’09 – Men’s Lacrosse
      • Jen (Netwall) Brigham ’05 – Women’s Basketball
      • Dan Fratantoro ’06 - Baseball
      • Kate (Steiner) Hanchick ’11 – Softball/Women’s Tennis
      • Jen Mellon ’10 - Volleyball
      • Mickey Myers '98* - Baseball
      • Mario Vicari ’83 – Men’s Basketball
      • Phil Yetter ’07 – Men’s Soccer
      • Jim Zinn ’04 – Men’s Basketball
      *Will be inducted posthumously

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    Alumni Academic Reception

    7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. | Gambet Center

    • The Alumni Academic Reception is a great way to network with fellow alumni and reconnect with DeSales faculty. Alumni from all programs, including traditional undergraduate, Adult Studies (formerly ACCESS), master’s and doctoral, are invited to attend. Join us at the Gambet Center from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. for great conversation, hors d’oeuvres, music, and an open bar of beer, wine, and specialty drinks! It is free to attend, but registration is required.
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    Welcome Brunch for Parents & Families

    10:00 a.m. | DeSales University Center

    • The Office of Alumni Relations invites you to join our University President Father James Greenfield, OSFS ’84 and connect with fellow families for brunch in our DeSales University Center to kickoff Homecoming & Family Weekend Saturday morning.
      • General Ticket (Ages 13+) - $10
      • DeSales Students Ticket - Free
      • Children (Ages 12 & Under) - Free
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    Women's Lacrosse Alumni Game

    9:30 a.m. | Main Turf Field

    • Return to campus to test your skills against the current women’s lacrosse team! The deadline to register is Sunday, September 22.
    • This event is women's lacrosse alumni and their guests.
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    Men's Lacrosse Alumni Game

    10:00 a.m. | Second Turf Field

    • Return to campus to test your skills against the current men’s lacrosse team! The deadline to register is Sunday, September 1.
    • This event is men's lacrosse alumni and their guests.
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    Men's & Women's Soccer Alumni Game

    10:00 a.m. | Soccer Practice Field (Across from Gambet Center)

    • Join other men’s and women’s soccer alums in a co-ed friendly match! The deadline to register is Sunday, September 22.
    • This event is men's and women's soccer alumni and their guests.
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    Annual Chemistry Demonstration

    11:00 a.m. | Hurd Auditorium, Priscilla Payne Hurd Science Center

    • The demonstrations are a treat for all the senses and include over a dozen highly visual and entertaining experiments such as Fire Tornado, Mad Scientists, Freezing Fish, Invincible Snowballs, Ping Pong Predicament, and making and tasting liquid nitrogen ice cream. The colorful and explosive presentations are designed to be visually interesting and exciting, as well as illustrative of important but easily understood chemical concepts. These demonstrations are presented by DeSales science students, faculty, and staff.
    SOLD OUT

    Varsity Athletic Games

    11:30 a.m.

    • Baseball Doubleheader vs St. Joseph's Hawks
      Game 1: 11:30 AM, Game 2: 3:00 PM
      2:30 PM - Blessing and Dedication of the Bulldog Strong Baseball Memorial
      Join us on the Amore Family Plaza at Weiland Park in between the baseball doubleheader for a special unveiling and blessing of our memorial plaque remembering three members of the DeSales baseball family – Sean Hanczaryk '21, Nick White '19, and Emily Kattner '19 – and honoring their impact on our DSU community.

    • Field Hockey - hosting Widener University at 12:00 PM
    • Women's Soccer - hosting CCNY CUNY at 1:00 PM
    • Men's Soccer - hosting Hood College at 3:30 PM

    Kids Zone, Tailgating, and Food Trucks

    12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Outside the DeSales University Center

    • Kids Zone
      • All family and friends are invited to join us for our annual Kids Zone featuring pumpkin decorating, inflatables, cotton candy, and more. Free Future Bulldog t-shirts will be available first come, first served.
    • Food Trucks
      • Specialty food items will be available for purchase from multiple Lehigh Valley food trucks that will be parked in the DUC parking lot until 5 p.m. Alumni, family, and friends can grab a bite or satisfy their sweet tooth!
    • Tailgating - SOLD OUT
      • Reconnect with fellow alumni and families in the designated tailgating area in the DeSales University Center parking lot. Registration online is required to reserve your parking spot as spaces are limited. The tailgating lot is BYOB, but glass bottles and kegs are not permitted. Please make sure to bring your ID. If you are not planning to park in the DeSales University Center, registration is not necessary. All those 21 & older are welcome.
      • One vehicle per registration.

    Student Affairs Leadership Soirée

    12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. | O'Connor Commons in the University Center

    • Join the current Student Affairs staff and other past student leaders in the new O'Connor Commons from12-2pm on Saturday, September 28 during Homecoming and Family Weekend! The event is open to alumni who were part of a student organization during their time on campus including, but not limited to, Character U, Student Government, Student Night Life/Campus Activities Board, the Center for Faith & Justice, Campus Ministry, and Career Ambassadors. We hope you gather with us for networking and great conversation shared over light fare and drinks. The event is free on a first come first served basis, and registration is required to secure your spot.
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    Virtual Production Studio Demonstration 

    1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Labuda Center for the Performing Arts

    • Be a part of Hollywood movie magic with a front-row seat to an interactive demonstration using the TV/Film department’s brand-new Virtual Production Studio, filled with state-of-the-art film production equipment used on shows like Disney’s “The Mandalorian.” You can see first-hand how virtual environments are built and shot for movies and television, and maybe even get a chance to participate in the action by becoming a jedi yourself. These cutting-edge tools include a 10-feet x 26-feet high-performance LED video wall, a control studio room, LED lighting fixtures, and camera tracking technology — just like Virtual Production Studios found around the world.
    SOLD OUT

    Doctor of Physical Therapy 10-Year Celebration and Cornhole Tournament

    1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Kilcur Plaza outside of Wills Hall

    • Join faculty, fellow alums, and their families at the Kilcur Plaza outside of Wills Hall as we celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program! The event will begin with a welcome address at 1:00 p.m. with a cornhole tournament and picnic beginning at 1:30 p.m. Tours of recently renovated facilities in Wills Hall and the DPT Clinic in Chappuis Hall will be available throughout the afternoon.  
    • At 4:30 p.m., prizes will be announced for the winners of the cornhole tournament.
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    Celebration of Nursing Milestones

    3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Gambet Center

    • The Office of Alumni Relations and Nursing Faculty/Staff invite you to join them at a celebration of nursing milestones at DeSales! 2024 marks 50 years of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program, 40 years of the Master of Science in Nursing Program, and 10+ years of the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program. Doors to the Gambet Center will open at 3:00 p.m. with the official program beginning at 3:30 p.m. with a welcome from Dr. Mary Liz Doyle-Tadduni ’81 and University President Fr. James Greenfield, OSFS ’84. The Healthcare Simulation Lab as well as Standardized Patient Suite will be open for tours and the lobby will be decorated with memorabilia from throughout the years of DSU Nursing. It is free to attend, but registration is required. All BSN, MSN, and DNP graduates are welcome with a guest. Each attendee from the graduating class with the most registrants will receive a DeSales SWAG bag. All DSU Nursing alums will receive a welcome gift for being in attendance. We hope to see you for hors d’oeuvres, an open bar of beer, wine, and a specialty cocktail, and great conversation from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.!
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    Memorial Mass

    5:00 p.m. | Connelly Chapel

    • Gather together in Connelly Chapel as we remember our deceased alumni.

    Alumni & Family Reception and Fireworks

    6:00 p.m. | DeSales University Center

    • Join us at the DeSales University Center for our annual Alumni and Family Reception. Our annual fireworks show will light up the DeSales University sky beginning at 7:30 p.m. Live entertainment, food buffets, and bars will be open until 8:30 p.m. as we reconnect and celebrate together.
    • Tickets to the alumni and family reception are $20.00 for guests ages 21 and older, $10.00 for guests ages 13-20, and all children ages 12 and younger are free to attend. Tickets must be purchased by September 22, 2024.
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