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Hornet Homecoming On Tap This Month

Reunions, Musical, Gala Celebration, Parade Fill Final Weeks of October

by Gwendolynne Larson

Emporia, KS (10/07/2025) — Hornets near and far can celebrate Emporia State University's Homecoming Oct. 22 through Nov. 2 on campus. Events during this Year of Celebration include the Homecoming musical, football game, parade, special group reunions and a Black & Gold Gala.

Additional information for events is at emporia.edu/homecoming.

Several events require advance registration, which closes Oct. 22. Explore the schedule and contact the ESU Alumni Association at alumni@emporia.edu or (620) 341-5440 with questions.

Thursday, Oct. 23 and Friday, Oct. 24

  • Homecoming Musical: "The Rocky Horror Show," 7:30 p.m. each day, King Hall: Karl C. Bruder Theatre. Visit emporia.edu/tickets for additional information and to order tickets.

Saturday, Oct. 25

  • Spirit Run, 9 a.m. check-in, run starts at 10 a.m. Plumb Hall. Free but registration before Oct. 17 guarantees a T-shirt: emporia.link/homecoming-5k-2025. Costumes welcome!
  • Homecoming Musical: "The Rocky Horror Show," 7:30 p.m., King Hall: Karl C. Bruder Theatre. Visit emporia.edu/tickets for additional information and to order tickets.

Sunday, Oct. 26

  • ESU Soccer tailgate and game, 11 a.m./1 p.m. Soccer pitch

Monday, Oct. 27

  • Stinger Showdown, 5:30 p.m. Plumb Hall lawn

Wednesday, Oct. 29

  • Sam E. and Jeannene Hayes Lecture. Featuring Dr. Muhammad Nashatizadeh (BS 98-Biology), neurologist, neuro-hospitalist, movement disorder specialist and clinical associate professor with the University of Kansas Health System and School of Medicine. 7:30 p.m., Memorial Union: Webb Hall
  • Homecoming Musical: "The Rocky Horror Show," 7:30 p.m., King Hall: Karl C. Bruder Theatre. Visit emporia.edu/tickets for additional information and to order tickets.

Thursday, Oct. 30

  • Homecoming Musical: "The Rocky Horror Show," 7:30 p.m., King Hall: Karl C. Bruder Theatre. Visit emporia.edu/tickets for additional information and to order tickets.
  • Homecoming bonfire/Hornet rally, 8 p.m. Wilson Park

Friday, Oct. 31

  • Phi Delta Theta Alumni Pole Sit, 6 a.m. Friday-8 a.m. Saturday, 12th and Commercial
  • Athletics Hall of Honor Lunch*, $35. Noon, Memorial Union: KSTC Ballroom. Register online (https://emporia.link/HallofHonor25) or call ESU Athletics at (620) 341-5349.
  • Black & Gold Gala, followed by a concert by The Downtown Band*, $75. 5:30 p.m. reception; 6:15 p.m. dinner. Memorial Union: Webb Hall. Enjoy exceptional cocktails and cuisine, live music from one of Nashville's top bands and inspiring stories from this year's Distinguished Alumni and Presidential and Student Award recipients. Visit emporia.edu/gala2025 to purchase tickets.
  • "Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror," 9 p.m. King Hall: Karl C. Bruder Theatre, $10. A joyful and wild ride through the tale of the cultural juggernaut that is The Rocky Horror Picture Show, this documentary movie is created by Linus O'Brien, whose father wrote the original stage musical. This is a special screening of the movie in Emporia. Visit emporia.edu/tickets for additional information and to order tickets.
  • Midnight Show Homecoming Musical: "The Rocky Horror Show," 11:59 p.m. King Hall: Karl C. Bruder Theatre. Visit emporia.edu/tickets for additional information and to order tickets.

Saturday, Nov. 1

  • Alumni breakfast*, free, 8:30 a.m.-10 a.m. Memorial Union: Main Street
  • Guided Campus Tour*, free, 9 a.m. Memorial Union: East Entrance
  • Homecoming parade, 10 a.m. Commercial Street to campus
  • Hornet Walk, 11 a.m. Union Square to Welch Stadium
  • Live at the Hive, noon-1:45 p.m. South of ESU Kossover Tennis Complex
  • ESU Football vs. Northwest Missouri, 2 p.m. Welch Stadium. General admission is free. Reserved seats available online at https://esuhornets.com/sports/2022/7/28/live-at-the-hive or call (620) 341-6378.
  • Phi Delta Theta Dinner*, $10, 7 p.m. Casa Ramos
  • Homecoming Musical: "The Rocky Horror Show," 7:30 p.m., King Hall: Karl C. Bruder Theatre. Visit emporia.edu/tickets for additional information and to order tickets.

* Denotes events that require advanced registration before Oct. 22 at alumni@emporia.edu or (620) 341-5440

About Emporia State University

Emporia State University offers a range of academic programs through its institute and seven schools: Applied Health Sciences, Business & Technology, Humanities & Social Sciences, Interdisciplinary Studies, Library and Information Management & Library and Archives, Science & Mathematics and Visual and Performing Arts, along with The Teachers College.

ESU stands out for its innovative education practices. It ensures accessible education by offering in-state tuition rates to full-time undergraduate students from all lower-48 United States. Additionally, full-time undergraduates benefit from flat-rate tuition - students enrolled in 12 or more credit hours with at least one credit hour on campus pay a flat rate.

For more information on how to build your future at Emporia State University, please visit www.emporia.edu.

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