Thank You for Coming Home to the Bluff

All Roads Lead to the Bluff: Celebrating Homecoming & Family Weekend 2026

Homecoming & Family Weekend brought generations of Dukes together for two days of connection, tradition and celebration. Thank you to every alum, student, family member and friend who helped make the Bluff feel even more like home.

Make plans to join us next year. Dates and details for Homecoming & Family Weekend 2027 will be shared here as they become available.

This is What Coming Home Looks Like

Take another look at a weekend worth remembering.

From the Block Party and drone show to reunion gatherings, family fun and familiar campus traditions, revisit the moments that brought our Duquesne community together.

A Weekend for Every Duke

Homecoming & Family Weekend brings alumni, students, families and friends together to celebrate the connections that make Duquesne feel like home. Whether you are returning after years away or experiencing the weekend for the first time, there is a place for you here.

Explore the Weekend Highlights
Two alumni viewing a Homecoming & Family Weekend display

Kick Off the Weekend

Start Homecoming & Family Weekend at the Friday Night Block Party on A-Walk, featuring live music, food, activities, Duquesne spirit and a first-ever drone show lighting up the Bluff.

See Friday Events
Four alumni pose at Golden Dukes Reunion

Reconnect with Your Class

Celebrate milestone reunions with the Class of 1976 and the Classes of 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016 and 2021.

View Reunion Details
Student, parents and siblings at Homecoming & Family Weekend

Celebrate Family Weekend

Enjoy Autumnfest, the Family Fun Zone, Siblings Weekend activities, campus tours and opportunities to experience Duquesne with your student.

Plan Family Weekend
Crowd cheers on the Dukes at Homecoming football game

Gather with Fellow Dukes

Join alumni and families for the Tailgate Lunch, Rally to Rooney Parade and a Dukes football matchup against Long Island University.

View Game Day Events
Military cadets presenting the colors in Chapel

Honor Service and Tradition

Attend the Veterans’ Memorial Breakfast, Outdoor Mass and special alumni gatherings that reflect Duquesne’s enduring spirit of service, faith and community.

View Special Gatherings
DJ plays music at Homecoming event

Keep the Celebration Going

After the game, reconnect with friends at the Fifth Quarter Happy Hour and evening reunion events.

View Saturday Events

2026 Weekend Highlights

More than 2,100 alumni, students, family members and friends brought the Bluff to life as they reconnected, celebrated and made new memories. Highlights included:

  • Friday Night Block Party and first-ever drone show over the Bluff
  • Milestone reunions and alumni gatherings
  • Autumnfest, Family Fun Zone and Siblings Weekend activities
  • Alumni & Families Tailgate Luncheon
  • Rally to Rooney and Duquesne football
  • Moments of faith, service and reflection

Help Shape Next Year’s Homecoming

What would bring you back to the Bluff? Share your ideas for events, activities and connections you’d like to see at next year’s Homecoming & Family Weekend. We’d love to hear from you, whether or not you joined us this year.

Share Your Ideas

Find Your Favorite Moments

Revisit the celebrations, familiar faces and little moments that made the weekend special. Find your favorites and share a little Duquesne spirit.

Group dancing on A-Walk
Woman painting part of the Duquesne community mural
A man playing corn hole with a younger boy
Large group of people filling A-Walk
A group of students seated on Rooney Field with a drone created image behind them of the Duquesne ring.
Two Golden Dukes alumni smiling and posing for the camera.
President David Dausey in conversation with a Golden Duke alumnus.
Man saluting during the Veterans Memorial Mass inside the Duquesne chapel
A male student with his mother at the family showcase
Mom and daughter with book on A-Walk
Family taking a photo inside the Homecoming photo frame
Group of alumni around a table at the Reunion Tailgate
Two women at a student booth on A-Walk during Autumnfest
President David Dausey leading the Rally to Rooney
Small child waving a pom during Rally to Rooney parade
Man taking selfie with daughter
Fans standing and cheering in the stands at Rooney Field
A woman and a man with their thumbs up during the Duquesne football game
Two women with arms raised cheering during football game
Group of women in front of a photo booth backdrop
One man speaking on a microphone and one man laughing

Open the Road Ahead

The Duquesne stories we celebrated during Homecoming continue with today’s students. Your gift helps them pursue bigger goals, learn, lead and serve—and create their own memories on the Bluff. Your support helps strengthen the student experience, expand opportunity and keep the Duquesne spirit alive for the next generation of Dukes. Whether you give in honor of your reunion year, your student, your favorite campus memory or the people who made Duquesne feel like home, your generosity helps open the road ahead.

Help Future Dukes Find Their Way

FAQ

Wondering what to expect when you visit the Bluff for Homecoming & Family Weekend? Explore the frequently asked questions for information about getting to campus, navigating the weekend and making the most of your time here. Event-specific details currently reflect Homecoming & Family Weekend 2026 and are provided as a reference. Dates, hours, services and registration information will be updated as plans for the next celebration are confirmed.

Driving Directions and Campus Map
Complimentary parking will be available in the Forbes Avenue Garage throughout the weekend for registered Homecoming and Family Weekend attendees and their guests.Parking at Duquesne
Golf cart transportation for those needing extra assistance will be available on Friday for the 50th Reunion Tours, Welcome Mass, and the Golden Dukes Lunch; on Saturday for the Campus Tours. Please let the staff at Check-In know if you have additional accessibility needs and we will accommodate them as we are able.

Upon arrival, please proceed to Homecoming and Family Weekend Check-In, located in the Gormley Student Union Second Floor Lounge (“The Fishbowl”). At Check-In you will receive your Homecoming and Family Weekend lanyard, name tag, campus map and any additional information regarding the weekend events.

Homecoming and Family Weekend Check-In will be open during the following times:

  • Friday, October 9: 9:00 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, October 10: 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Visit the schedule web page or view the posters located at Check-In and the Information Desk on the Third Floor of the Gormley Student Union.

View Schedule
Absolutely! Proceed to Check-In in the Gormley Student Union to register and pay any applicable entry fees. Some events, like Friday evening's Block Party and Drone Show, or Saturday's Autumnfest, Campus Tours, Family Fun Zone, and Rally to Rooney Parade do not require a registration. There will also be a list of available campus eateries at Check-In to pick up if you are looking for a place to grab a bite to eat. 

Complimentary Wi-Fi access is available on campus throughout the weekend. Go to your device's Wi-Fi settings and enter the following information:

  • User Name: HCFWguest
  • Password: Homecoming2026!
Current students do not need to pre-register for any of the FREE student events taking place Tuesday-Friday (October 6-9) leading up to Homecoming and Family Weekend 2026.
Share your memories this weekend using #DuqHCFW26 and mention @DuqAlumni to help us build up the excitement! Follow the Alumni Association on Facebook, X, and Instagram for all of the latest Homecoming news and information.

Moonlit Burgers:

  • Hours 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday
  • Happy Hour from 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday
  • Special Duquesne themed red and blue milkshake throughout Homecoming & Family Weekend! 

Bookstore hours:

  • Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • Sunday: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Homecoming and Family Weekend happens rain or shine! Watch our social media for any adjustments to outdoor events throughout the weekend. 

Stop by Gumberg Library’s Circulation Desk and they’ll get you set up with a reservation and key to the private New Mother’s Room. Hours are:

  • Friday, October 9 – 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, October 10 – 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
No refunds will be given as of the close of online registration.
Contact the Office of Alumni Engagement at alumnionline@duq.edu or (412) 396-6209.

For updates throughout the weekend, visit the Check-In area on the Second Floor of the Gormley Student Union, or look for Duquesne staff members who will be wearing staff name tags. Questions can also be directed to @DuqAlumni on social media. 

There’s Always a Road Back

Whether you joined us this year or are looking forward to your next visit, you’re part of the Duquesne community. Stay connected for next year’s Homecoming & Family Weekend details, as well as opportunities to gather throughout the year.

You don’t have to wait until Homecoming to reconnect. Catch up with classmates, join fellow Dukes at an alumni event or share what’s happening in your life. Wherever life takes you, there are plenty of ways to keep Duquesne close.

Keep your Duquesne connections close. Update your information and find ways to stay involved wherever life takes you.

Stay Connected