Homecoming and Family WeekendSchedule
Homecoming & Family Weekend Information Desk
Saturday, October 4 | 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
2025 Schedule
We are thrilled to welcome you to campus for Homecoming and Family Weekend! Below is a preliminary schedule; check back soon for more events. Also, be sure to check out concurrent events happening in Downtown Geneva.
Friday, OCT. 3
8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. | Day in the Life for high school seniors
Admissions Office
Do you have a high school senior planning to apply to HWS? This is a highly personalized program to give your student a total view into life at HWS. We will create a personalized schedule that matches your interests including sitting in on classes, meeting with faculty, coaches and staff, completing an admissions interview, touring campus, and spending time with current students over lunch. At the same time, families meet with a variety of staff from across campus about the ways that HWS supports students in preparing for a life of consequence. Contact the Admissions office at 315-781-3622 for more information.
9 a.m. - 5 p.m. | HWS College Store Open
51 Saint Clair St.
9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Davis Gallery at Houghton House
Davis Art Gallery at Houghton House, 1 Kings Lane
NEW POINT COMFORT by MAX PIERSOL ’16, Assistant Professor of Art and Architecture: An experimental film installation and model-based exploration of the landscape of Hampton Roads, Virginia. It is part art and part architecture, part mise-en-scene and part documentary – less concerned with the documentation but the narrative dynamics of the history of the estuarial complex.
Baskets or Bust
10 a.m. - 6 p.m. | Provenzano Student Art Gallery
Scandling Campus Center
New exhibit to be announced.
1:30 p.m. | Jumu’ah Prayer Service
Demarest 117A
Led by Imam Shaheed Ali, Director of the Muslim Life Center.
3 - 4 p.m. | William Scandling Research Vessel Excursion I
2:45 p.m. departure from Medbery Parking Lot
Finger Lakes Institute Director Lisa Cleckner will lead a working session aboard the William Scandling assessing the environmental well-being of Seneca Lake. Event is limited to 18 people—ages 13 and older—no infants or small children, please. Appropriate footwear is recommended. Registration is required. The link will be available here on Sept. 2, 2025.
3 - 6 p.m. | College Store Spirit Trailer
In front of Scandling Campus Center
3:30 - 4:30 p.m. | Student and Alumni Mentorship and Career Fair
Gearan Center for the Performing Arts
4 p.m. | William Smith Field Hockey vs St. Lawrence University
McCooey Field
4:30 - 5:30 p.m. | William Scandling Research Vessel
Excursion II
4:15 p.m. departure from Medbery Parking Lot
Finger Lakes Institute Director Lisa Cleckner will lead a working session aboard the William Scandling assessing the environmental well-being of Seneca Lake. Event is limited to 18 people—ages 13 and older—no infants or small children, please. Appropriate footwear is recommended. Registration is required. The link will be available here on Sept. 2, 2025.
5 - 9 p.m. | Family Dinner in Saga and Dessert on the Patio
Saga, Scandling Campus Center
Join us for a fun-filled evening with dinner, followed by dessert on the patio, Sprinkle Starship Ice Cream truck, Caricature and Henna artists, and live music with Hanna PK’s blues Trio! It is encouraged to purchase meal tickets in advance. Registration will be available here soon.
6:30 - 8 p.m. | Kosher Shabbat Dinner
Abbe Center for Jewish Life, 764 S. Main St.
Please RSVP for dinner by Sept. 29 to shabbat@hws.edu. Alums and families are welcome!
7:30 - 9:30 p.m. | Look Skyward!
Richard S. Perkin Observatory, 1 Kings Lane
Stop by the Richard S. Perkin Observatory, a teaching and outreach facility located adjacent to the Katherine D. Elliott Student Arts Center, to observe objects trillions of miles away from Earth. While the observatory can only accommodate a small number of observers at a time, outdoor firepits and s'mores will be available to enjoy while you wait! Maximum of 75 ppl. Not handicapped accessible. Weather permitting. Registration is required. The link will be available here on Sept. 2, 2025.
SATURDAY, OCT. 4
9 a.m. - 5 p.m. | HWS College Store Open
51 Saint Clair Street
9:30 - 10:30 a.m. | State of HWS with President Mark D. Gearan
Vandervort Room, 2nd Floor of Scandling Campus Center
All are invited; no registration is necessary.
10 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Squash Alumni Gathering
Squash Courts
Join us for an alumni squash gathering! Bring your squash gear if you'd like to play or simply come and socialize with the current team. Light refreshments will be provided.
10 a.m. - 6 p.m. | Provenzano Student Art Gallery
Scandling Campus Center
New exhibit to be announced.
*10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Summer Scholars Research Symposium
L. Thomas Melly '52 Lobby, Gearan Center for the Performing Arts
Summer research students from disciplines across the curriculum will share the results of their research projects through poster displays and conversation. *Will start immediately following the State of HWS.
10:30 a.m. | Hobart and William Smith Swimming and Diving Team Parent and Alumni Coffee and Donuts
Location TBD
10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Temple Beth-El
755 South Main St.
Informal Shabbat Morning Service and Torah Study
11 a.m. - 12 p.m. | William Scandling Research Vessel
Excursion III
10:45 a.m. departure from Medbery Parking Lot
Finger Lakes Institute Director Lisa Cleckner will lead a working session aboard the William Scandling assessing the environmental well-being of Seneca Lake. Event is limited to 18 people—ages 13 and older—no infants or small children, please. Appropriate footwear is recommended. Registration is required. The link will be available here on Sept. 2, 2025.
11 a.m. - 1 p.m. | The Adams Intercultural Center Open House
288 Pulteney St., Geneva, N.Y.
Stop by the Adams Intercultural Center named in honor of Rev. Dr. Alger L. Adams '32, D.D.'83. The AIC offers a welcoming environment that supports personal growth, academic success, and cross-cultural understanding through inclusive programming and community engagement. All are welcome!
11 a.m. - 1 p.m. | LGBTQ+ Resource Center Open House
The Resource Center, 402 Pulteney St.
Explore the space, connect with the community, and learn about the programs, support and resources available to the campus community. All are welcome!
11 a.m. - 2 p.m. | College Store Spirit Trailer
The Barn
11 a.m. - 2 p.m. | GAMEDAY Lunch and Fun Fest
The Barn
Get in the HWS spirit with fun for all ages! Enjoy a petting zoo, Netsins ice cream truck, photo booth, bonfire pits, lawn games, and live music by Kenny Ende. Don’t miss out on a day full of excitement and great memories! It is encouraged to purchase meal tickets in advance. Registration will be available here soon.
12 - 2 p.m. | Climb St. Mark’s Tower
Adjacent to St. John’s Chapel
Whether you’ve ascended the tower before or not, we’re sure you’ll want to make time to take in the spectacular views of the campus and the lake. Don’t forget to bring along your camera. Beware—the view could take your breath away, and so could the ascent! We’ll take your picture to prove that you made it to the top. Appropriate footwear is recommended. Registration not required.
12 p.m. - Halftime | Boswell Brews and Refreshment Tent
Tent, South end of Boswell Field at David J. Urick Stadium
Grab some refreshments and catch all the action from the south end of the field!
12 p.m. - End of game (or when sold out) | HWS Athletics Surplus Sale
Boswell Field near the North ticket gate
1 p.m. | Hobart Football vs. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Boswell Field at David J. Urick Stadium
Or see a livestream of the game here. No tickets needed for the game.
1 - 2 p.m. | William Scandling Research Vessel Excursion IV
12:45 p.m. departure from Medbery Parking Lot
Finger Lakes Institute Director Lisa Cleckner will lead a working session aboard the William Scandling assessing the environmental well-being of Seneca Lake. Event is limited to 18 people—ages 13 and older—no infants or small children, please. Appropriate footwear is recommended. Registration is required. The link will be available here on Sept. 2, 2025.
1 - 3 p.m. | Davis Gallery at Houghton House
Davis Art Gallery at Houghton House, 1 Kings Lane
NEW POINT COMFORT by MAX PIERSOL ’16, Assistant Professor of Art and Architecture: An experimental film installation and model-based exploration of the landscape of Hampton Roads, Virginia. It is part art and part architecture, part mise-en-scene and part documentary – less concerned with the documentation but the narrative dynamics of the history of the estuarial complex.
2 p.m. | William Smith Soccer vs. Clarkson
John H. Cozzens Jr. ’41 Memorial Field
Or see a livestream of the game here.
2:30 - 3:30 p.m. | William Scandling Research Vessel
Excursion V
2:15 p.m. departure from Medbery Parking Lot
Finger Lakes Institute Director Lisa Cleckner will lead a working session aboard the William Scandling assessing the environmental well-being of Seneca Lake. Event is limited to 18 people—ages 13 and older—no infants or small children, please. Appropriate footwear is recommended. Registration is required. The link will be available here on Sept. 2, 2025.
SUNDAY, OCT. 5
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. | HWS College Store Open
51 Saint Clair St.
11 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Bagels and Lox Open House
Abbe Center for Jewish Life, 764 S. Main St.
Join HWS Hillel for our traditional bagel brunch before you depart campus. RSVPs to landowne@hws.edu appreciated but not required.
12 - 4 p.m. | Provenzano Student Art Gallery
Provenzano Student Art Gallery
New exhibit to be announced.
4:30 p.m. | Roman Catholic Mass
St. John's Chapel, S. Main St.
7 p.m. | Protestant Episcopal Eucharist
St. John's Chapel, S. Main St.
Please note: You are welcome to attend Kol Nidrei, Yom Kippur Services and Break Fast at Temple Beth-El (755 South Main St.) if you are coming early for Homecoming and Family Weekend. Contact Rabbi Ann at landowne@hws.edu for details.