OHIO’s first-ever virtual Homecoming Week kicks off Oct. 5

Ohio’s first university is ready to make history again, connecting members of the Ohio University community near and far to each other and their OHIO experience during the University’s first-ever virtual Homecoming Week.

Homecoming Week 2020 will be celebrated Oct. 5-10 in an entirely virtual, online format, bringing Bobcats together in a way that is safe but full of spirit. 

“We know our alumni and many of our students miss being back on campus. We miss them, too,” said Rebecca Prater, director of alumni experiences for the Ohio University Alumni Association (OUAA), which organizes OHIO’s Homecoming festivities in collaboration with campus partners. “In planning this year’s Homecoming, we wanted to create a wide variety of programs and experiences that would be meaningful to all members of our community. We wanted to bring Ohio University to them.”

From fun Bobcat-themed family activities and workouts with WellWorks to friendly online competitions, Homecoming Week 2020 offers both scheduled events and those that can be enjoyed at your leisure.

Some highlights of the week include:

• Bobcat Trivia Night at 6 p.m. Oct. 5.
• A HoHo Cake Demonstration by Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion Gigi Secuban and Executive Chef Tim Bruce at 2 p.m. Oct. 6, followed by “OHIO: Sense of Place,” highlighting the University’s East, West and South Residential Greens, at 4:15 p.m. and “The Entrepreneurial Spirit of Athens,” featuring alumni who own businesses in Athens, at 6 p.m.
• “Empower Hour: Leaders of OHIO” at 1 p.m. Oct. 7, followed by a match-up between students from the OHIO Bobcat Esports Team and Esports alumni at 7 p.m.
• “The History of Student Expression on OHIO’s Campus” presentation and Q&A at 7 p.m. Oct. 8, followed by the “5 Under 35 Panel,” featuring successful OHIO graduates under the age of 35, at 8 p.m.
• Homecoming After Party with DJ A-Roc, otherwise known as alumnus Aaron Thomas, BSC ’01, at 9 p.m. Oct. 9.

And even in an online environment, you can still have a campus experience. Ohio Today, Ohio University’s alumni magazine, partnered with graduate student Akbar Sultanov to create an immersive 360-degree experience that allows viewers to walk the brick pathways, hear the sounds and even download a photo of themselves on OHIO’s College Green. University Archives and Alden Library have revamped their annual Homecoming display, highlighting OHIO’s digital archives and calling on Bobcats to share their photos and memories through an online map of Athens and Ohio University. 

“No matter how far away we are or how different things have become, some things don’t change,” Prater said. “Ohio University is still here for you, and the pride and strong sense of community that are the essence of Homecoming will continue.”

For a full list of programs and events (including some surprises and giveaways throughout the week), visit the Homecoming 2020 website and follow #OHIOHC2020 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. All OHIO Homecoming festivities are free, but some require registration.