Festivities began Friday with Experience Cairn Day, welcoming prospective students and their families to campus, followed by the start of Lil鈥� Sibs Weekend. Friday evening featured the Department of Visual Arts鈥� 10th Anniversary Alumni Exhibition. Alumni and students celebrated a decade of equipping artists with skills, knowledge, and a biblical perspective on the arts. The evening concluded with a concert featuring singer-songwriter , followed by a bonfire and s鈥檓ores at the

Saturday featured a full schedule of activities for alumni, students, and families. The morning began with Coffee with the President, while activities throughout the day provided opportunities for alumni to reconnect. Reunions included Global Missions, Handbells, Chorale, and the 1980s alumni, along with a special recognition of the 1996 Men鈥檚 Soccer Team. Despite rainy weather throughout the weekend, Homecoming activities continued across campus. Amusement rides, games, food trucks, and student-led activities provided opportunities for families and friends to enjoy the weekend together. 

Athletics remained an important part of the weekend, with women鈥檚 volleyball and men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 soccer games taking place throughout the day. During halftime of the men鈥檚 soccer game, Cairn Athletics honored former athletes through the induction ceremony. This year, Cairn Athletics honored Rebecca Graber 鈥�18 and Andy Miller 鈥�09 as Athletic Hall of Honor inductees. Graber was a member of the from 2014鈥�2017, while Miller was a member of the from 2004鈥�2007.

From alumni reunions and athletic traditions to music and family activities, Homecoming 2026 provided an opportunity for the Cairn community to come together and celebrate the connections that continue long after graduation. Do you want to be informed about what upcoming alumni events are in store for the year? Connect with us!

Save the Date
Homecoming: Friends & Family Weekend
September 24鈥�25, 2027

The exciting tradition of Homecoming continued this year on September 29 and 30. 

The Homecoming festivities commenced Friday morning with the Homecoming chapel, given by President Williams. While the rainy weather on Friday evening pushed the Garden Party indoors, the Chatlos Chapel was transformed into a garden-like scene where students enjoyed beautiful lights, food, and music.

On Saturday, Homecoming launched with several alumni sports events as well as Dr. and Mrs. Williams’ President鈥檚 Brunch event, where they were able to share exciting news and updates about the University and encourage those in attendance about the ongoing mission of Cairn.

Throughout the day, families could take a spin on the swing ride, grab a photo with the Highlander, express their creative side in the art tent, shoot a few hoops, or try a bouncy house. Alumni had several opportunities to reminisce over old paraphernalia together at reunion tents along the walkway, sing with each other at the chorale reunion, or catch up at one of the sports games. This year鈥檚 dining options not only included some fan-favorite food trucks, but Cairn was also able to debut their own brand-new food trailer that served brisket and burgers. Other exciting Cairn additions included the promising beginnings of the Stillman Plaza, an appendage to the Athletic Complex generously funded by the Stillman family.

Director of Alumni Engagement and Homecoming coordinator, Melissa Moyer, reflects on the event: 鈥淗omecoming weekend is always a great opportunity to highlight what makes 天涯海角社区 the strong community it is. As Alumni Director and an alumna myself, Homecoming was a reminder of why I am grateful to be part of the Cairn community. It was a joy and privilege to walk around campus and see people laughing, discussing thoughts and ideas, singing, listening, and enjoying a meal together. Many individuals worked hard in preparing for the weekend, and it was wonderful to see it all come together.鈥�

Mark your calendars for September 27鈥�28 for Homecoming 2024!