Poet Homecoming

Breadcrumb

Whittier College's annual celebration of Poet Pride is October 24-27, 2024.

Mark your calendar and plan to join hundreds of members of the Poet Family who will assemble for this spirited weekend.

While most events are free of charge, it would help us tremendously to know in advance who’s coming so we may plan accordingly.

Homecoming Schedule

5:30 p.m. • Purple & Gold Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony • Villalobos Hall

Start your homecoming weekend with the Purple & Gold Induction Ceremony hosted by Athletics. For questions about the event please contact, Mike Rizzo at 562.907.4967 or mrizzo@whittier.edu.

  • Social Hour | 5:30 p.m.  - 6:30 p.m. | Villalobos Hall | Reconnect with your friends and teammates and enjoy an hour of cocktails before dinner.

  • Dinner & Ceremony | 6:30 p.m.  - 8:30 a.m. | Villalobos Hall | Join us to celebrate honorees with dinner and ceremony. Dinner tickets for purchase. 

    • Adult Ticket: $75

    • Child Ticket: $25 (12 and under).  

6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. • Pride Alumni Association Meet-Up • Dezember Alumni House

Seeing old faces and familiar places is what Homecoming is all about. Join the Pride Alumni Association for their Alumni Meetup.

7 p.m. - 10 p.m. • Haunted House • Bill & Harriet's Club 88

It's spooky season so be sure to check out the Haunted House sponsored by the Whittier College Student Program Board. 

10 a.m. - 3 p.m.  • Check-In & Welcome • Ettinger Patio

There's no better way to start your weekend than dropping by to check in for Poet Homecoming.

10 a.m. • Poet for a Day & Master Class

Poet Homecoming is all about reliving the glory days. Join us at the Poet for a Day Tour featuring the amazing classes offered by Whittier College faculty.

  • Campus Tour | 10 a.m.
  • Environmental Science Colloquium- Coffee | 11 a.m.  - 11:50 a.m. | The course brings the voices of key actors in the coffee industry, including non-profits and educators, to explain the complexities of the coffee supply chain. The course complements the more “traditional” course ENVS/EJST 220 Agricultural Supply Chains: Coffee, which is taught immediately after the colloquium series.
    Special guest Chris Kornman of Royal Coffee will talk about coffee processing methods and how they affect flavor. We will brew three different types of coffee shipped to us by Royal Coffee to follow along and to have a more interactive experience.
  • All Things Coffee | 12 p.m.  - 1 p.m. | SLC 204 | Following the Zoom session, we will move on to discuss coffee quality, market preferences, and more time will be given to the tasting experience, if guests would like to stay.

10 a.m. - 3 p.m. • Library Open House • Wardman Library

Join us for the Library's Special Collections and Archives Open House.

12 p.m. - 1 p.m. • Poet Musicale • Memorial Chapel

Enjoy a showcase of outstanding student, faculty, and Alumni talent, presented by the Department of Music. Choir alumni are invited to perform the alma mater and school song Friends Forever along with students.

1 p.m. - 3 p.m. • Music Department Reception • Arnold Hall Patio

Join the Music Department for a reception following the Poet Musicale. 

2 p.m. - 3 p.m. • Mike McBride's Last Lecture • Robinson Theatre, Ruth B. Shannon Center

Whittier legend Professor of Political Science Mike McBride is retiring at the end of this academic year. But there is still an opportunity for alumni to learn from Professor McBride, who is a specialist in Soviet and Russian history and politics, human rights, and the United Nations. At this event, he will delve into one of his greatest interests: Russian dissident Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, particularly the text, “Live Not by Lies.”

The lecture will be followed by an informal reception from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the Shannon Center Patio.

5 p.m. • President's Installation • Robinson Theatre, Ruth B. Shannon Center

The Poet community is invited to celebrate the formal installation of Kristine E. Dillon '73, Ph.D. as the 16th President of Whittier College. The ceremony will feature an academic processional, tributes to Whittier's mission, and remarks by the new President on the College's vibrant future. All members of the Whittier community are encouraged to participate in this special occasion.

6 p.m. • President's Installation Reception • Ruth B. Shannon Center Patio  

The Installation Ceremony will be followed by a brief, festive reception. 

7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. • Alianza de Los Amigos (Latinx) Poet Meet-Up • Dezember Alumni House

Enjoy your evening and have a good time by joining the Latinx alumni at their event.

7 p.m. - 8:45 p.m. • Lancer Society Cocktail Reception • Villalobos Hall

Spend your evening with the Lancers at their cocktail reception. 

7 p.m. - 10 p.m. • Haunted House • Bill & Harriet's Club 88

Get spooked at Whittier's Haunted House hosted by the Student Program Board. 

7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. • Carlos Through the Tall Grass • Hoover 100

Join us for the screening of Carlos Through the Tall Grass. Over 20 Whittier College students participated in the making of this full-length feature film, a comedy. Produced by Professor Patti McCarthy and co-produced by Jennifer Holmes. General audiences.

9 a.m. - 1 p.m. • Society Brunches • Various Locations

Contact your society directly to register for brunches.

  • Athenians | 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Muchas Gracias, Whittier, CA
  • Franklins  | 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. | King and Queen Cantina, Whittier CA | More information
  • Ionians | TBD
  • Lancers | 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Memorial Chapel
    • Register with Hale LaBore' 93 at 951.662.8827 or halelabore@hotmail.com 
  • Metaphonians  | 19seventy, Whittier CA 
  • Palmers  | Hartley House
  • Penns | A.J. Villalobos Hall
  • Orthogonians | TBD
  • Sachsens | 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Bizarra Capital, Whittier CA
    • Register with Stan Smith '73 at seamoshe@hotmail.com
  • Thalians | Garrett House

11 a.m. • Athletics Alumni – Men's Basketball Game • Graham Athletic Center (GAC)

Cheer on alumni and current students as they face off in this beloved Homecoming tradition.

12 p.m. • Women's Soccer vs Cal Lutheran University • Memorial Field

Cheer on the Women's Soccer as they take on Cal Lutheran during this homecoming weekend.

1 p.m. • Athletics Alumni - Women's Basketball Game • Graham Athletic Center (GAC)

Cheer on alumni and current students as they face off in this beloved Homecoming tradition.

1 p.m. - 3 p.m. • Black Poet Meet-Up • Upper Quad

Join the Black Alumni Association for a nostalgic midday meet-up. 

1 p.m. - 5 p.m. • Athletic Rally, Parade  & Tailgate • Upper Quad & Graham Athletic Center (GAC)

Get ready to make some noise, rally together, and parade up to the GAC to support our Women's Volleyball team in a PINK OUT against Pomona Pitzer. 

  • Information Pass | 1 -  3 p.m.
  • Tailgate & Lawn Games | 3 -  5 p.m. 

1 p.m. - 6 p.m. • Poet Fest • Upper Quad

Poet Fest is THE event of the weekend! Join fellow Poets for great food, live music, and activities for the entire family. This year's Poet Fest will feature:

  • The Whittier Experience Showcase and Fair | Whittier's academic programs and student support departments will be on hand to share their latest news as well as opportunities for alumni engagement. This is your chance to reconnect with your favorite professors. A list of confirmed faculty will be available as the date approaches.
    • Food vendors
    • The All-Society Mixer 
    • Affinity Meet-Ups 
    • DJ
    • Lawn games 
    • No-host Beer Garden 
    • Faithful Friends Photo Booth
    • Parade of Poet Athletes

3 p.m. - 6 p.m. • Class of 1979 45th Reunion • Dezember House

Join the Class of 1979 for their 45th reunion celebration.

6 p.m. • Homecoming Volleyball Game • Graham Athletic Center (GAC)

Cheer on the Whittier College Volleyball team as they take on Pomona-Pitzer.

6:30 p.m. • Classes of '83, '84 and '85 Reunion Celebration • Perry House

Guests can purchase a ticket for $35 general admission.

6:30 p.m. - 9 p.m. • All-Reunion Celebration (Classes Ending in 4's and 9's) Poet Bash • A.J. Villalobos Hall

The time to celebrate your graduating class has come. Purchase a ticket for $35 general admission. Tickets include a fajita plate and beverage. 

9 p.m. • All Poets Bash • A.J. Villalobos Hall

Close out Homecoming with this all-alumni celebration! Enjoy dancing the night away with friends old and new. No-host drinks and food.

TBD • APIDA Color Run • Lower Quad

Sponsored and organized by our Asian Pacific Islander Desi American poets, join us for an educational and fun opportunity to learn about the origins of the Color Run. 

Join APIDA Alumni Association for a meet-up at brunch in the Campus Inn.

10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. • Campus Inn Brunch • Campus Inn

Just like the good ol’ days but better! Enjoy delicious menu options featuring fresh and locally sourced ingredients. All-you-can eat style. This invitation is open to all and you can pay at the door.