“You’re part of our story.”
Pioneers of every generation gather to celebrate all things Utica at Homecoming 2026
Crisp temperatures turned to a cozy October warmth as golden rays from the sun made for the perfect Autumn morning that greeted Homecoming 2026.
The thermometer wasn’t the only thing rising as good spirits lifted the hearts of alumni, faculty, staff, students, and their families as they gathered with friends past and present to celebrate all things Utica over the course of the weekend.
Things kicked off Friday with a rich array of opportunities for alumni and friends to reunite and reconnect. At the Harold T. Clark Jr. Athletic Center, the Pioneer Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Dinner honored 2026 inductees Matt Donaldson '05 of Men’s Lacrosse, Alysa (Russell) Wotten '16 of Softball, and the Utica Football 1970 Team.
An annual Homecoming Weekend gem, the Reunion Cabaret welcomed both alumni and current students to perform on the stage at Strebel Auditorium. The performance marked the 10th year of Laura Salvaggio as Chair of Performing and Fine Arts while honoring the memory of the late Dr. Marijean Levering, beloved Utica theatre professor who passed away in 2017 after a long battle with cancer.
It was just the first course of a bountiful weekend full of entertainment, athletics, and of course, great company, with no shortage of fun, food, or conversation across generations of Pioneers.
Full house, full menu
Pioneers were out in full force on Saturday morning, animating every event from the Young Scholars LPP’s Annual Potluck Gathering, to the Homecoming Family Fun Zone offering face painting, coloring, yard games, and a bounce house for the little ones, to the Class of 2026 Tree Dedication ceremony, to guided tours of Utica University’s state-of-the-art Crime Scene Lab and Cyber Range in Bull Hall. But thanks to the exceptional autumn weather, some of the biggest attractions were the games.
Frank Pacicca of Rome, whose daughter Gracie plays lacrosse for Utica, was headed to the field to support her and her teammates as they played against alumnae in a long-standing homecoming tradition.
“We came to watch her play and attend the tailgate,” Pacicca said. “This is all really nice.”
Paityn Billard ’27, a psychology major and member of the Women’s Wrestling team was with teammates hosting a bake sale on Saturday at a table on the walkway between Thurston Hall and Casamento Field. The proceeds from the bake sale went to help the Women’s Wrestling team cover transportation to meets and help with new team uniforms. It was a perfect spot to catch attendees checking out the various sights and sounds en route to Gaetano Stadium.
“I look forward to talking to people,” Billard said. “I’m a people-person. I love hearing their stories and going to the football game.”
There was a variety of athletic events to choose from, including athletes from years past taking on their current day counterparts in Men’s Lacrosse, Baseball, Softball, and Women’s Lacrosse, plus a chance to watch the Men’s Wrestling program prepare for the season at the Todd and Jen Hutton Sports and Recreation Center, as well as Women’s tennis facing the Golden Flyers in a big Empire 8 battle.
And, of course, the big game.
Wearing a “Fear the Moose” shirt proudly displaying her school spirit, Psychology Child life major Hannah Stroup ’27 was enjoying the sunshine and the wide array of tailgating options around Parking Lot A before the Utica senior and her classmates took in the big event on Saturday.
“We’re really looking forward to going to the football game,” said Stroup. “It’s a last one for us so seeing all the spirit and activity is fun.”
And though the Pioneers fell to SUNY Cortland at the end of the day, they gave it their all surrounded by a swell of support in the stands.
“I like football. It’s fun,” said Nursing major Adriana Defelice ’27. “Everyone comes out. People come back and it’s nice to see everyone.”
Former Utica football player Ryan Farrington ’25 was glad to return to campus not just for a fun-filled afternoon but also for the opportunity to cheer on his fellow Pioneers on the field.
“Knowing the rivalry between Utica and SUNY Cortland, you feel a sense of duty to come back and support the Pioneers.”
The tents behind Thurston Hall were filled with people at picnic tables enjoying great food, hot off the grill courtesy of Construction Management's All-Campus BBQ. Open to all, the fan-favorite event offered up home style BBQ, live music, and great company. The All-Campus BBQ was sponsored by the Construction Management program and the Utica University Office of Advancement.
David Dubbelde, retired Director and Assistant Professor, and the man responsible for the revitalization of Utica’s Construction Management Program, traveled more than 1,700 miles from Texas to be back on the Utica campus for Homecoming, joined by his wife, Cathy, and their dog.
“I always try to come back for the CM BBQ,” he said. “I have a vested interest in the program. The first class I had upon reviving the program had eight kids in it when we started. I emphasized professionalism for students in the program and have seen it grow into something with more than a hundred kids in it today.”
Saturday night, the Utica University Alumni Council honored the 2026 Alumni Award recipients, which included:
- Mark Kovacs University Key Award - Lauren Mattia '98
- Distinguished Alumni Award - Donald (DJ) Carstensen Jr. '85 and Michael Ridley '95
- Honorary Alumna - Ms. Alicia Dicks
- Young Leadership Award - Jaime Evanoff '11
- Outstanding Service Award - Dr. Unnati Shah
- Alumni Memorial Scholarships - Xavier Moore '27 and Alicia Contreras '27
- Ann Ciancia '18, G'21 Outstanding Senior - Madison Zulager '26
- Sportsmanship Award (Male) - John Gutt '26
- Sportsmanship Award (Female) - Kelsey Elliott '26
The evening rounded out with events for everyone, highlighted by Utica Men’s Soccer standing tall against the Houghton University Highlanders in a much-anticipated matchup, 3-2. Meanwhile in Strebel Auditorium, the Pioneer Talent Showcase showed off the talented community of students and alumni, with the audience joining in or stepping on stage for music, dance, Greek strolling, and poetry and the arts. Of course, what better way for alumni to end a reunion-packed weekend than with a night out at The Beer Hub, known for its curated selection of great craft beer and laid-back atmosphere.
“Seeing our Alumni, Families, Students, Faculty, Staff, and friends enjoy the weekend is one of the greatest feelings in the world,” said Director of Alumni and Parent Relations Ben Atwood ’09 G’13. “There's Orange and Blue everywhere. It really has the opportunity to be a major day in our students and families buying into Utica being their place.”
Months in the making
Something this big doesn’t come together quickly. Atwood, part of the team that planned, organized, and ultimately ran Homecoming, says planning begins in January and gradually increases in intensity up to the moment the Weekend arrives.
“It feels a little bit like the Saturday Night Live writer's room at times as we pitch ideas - some make it and some don't - and capture what will excite and resonate with our audience,” Atwood said. “So much of the work is done in the months leading up to the event - that's where the rubber meets the road. By the time Homecoming weekend is here, much of the stress turns to excitement. Managing people, events, and expectations during Homecoming itself is a different kind of challenge.”
As an alum himself, Atwood has enjoyed the opportunity to be on the other side of the process.
“It entails lots of outreach and chatting with folks about Utica, which I obviously enjoy, and learning from people what they want to see out of the weekend,” he said. “I see this process much like a big superhero team-up movie, in that we are working closely with so many other campus teams and partners, and delivering the events is a total team approach. Facilities, grounds, campus security, Athletics, Advancement, The Office of The President, SILO, Community/Belonging/Engagement/Title VI, Marketing and Communications, and others are all key to the event's success.”
Much of that work happens behind the scenes as people like Atwood and fellow alum and current Assistant Director of Campus Engagement Alexander Hodkinson ’17 work with their colleagues and the campus community to coordinate programs, logistics, student involvement, and all the little details that make the weekend come alive, turning teamwork into an event-filled weekend of fun.
“Homecoming is probably my favorite time of year because it gives us a chance to connect with our past, celebrate all that we have today, and get excited about the future of Utica,” Hodkinson said. “I’ve been part of this community for a long time, and there’s something really special about seeing generations of Pioneers come back together. This year, especially as we celebrated 80 years of Utica, made that feel even bigger.”
The overarching takeaway from all of the conversations Hodkinson has had leading up to and at Homecoming itself could be boiled down to two words: the people.
“The people who continually show up,” he said. “The people who care. The people who pour their hearts into this place. And especially, our students. We have a community here that is hard to measure in a report or capture in a presentation to the Board, but it is the fabric that has kept this place together for 80 years. The relationships, shared experiences and genuine care people have for one another are difficult to quantify, but they are among Utica’s greatest strengths.”
As a former Utica cheerleader, it’s in his DNA to cheer on the institution, its students, and its programs.
“In one way or another, I’ve been hosting social gatherings, facilitating connection and acting as a steward of shared experiences on this campus for about 15 years,” he said. “Now, I have the honor of doing that full time for our campus community.”
Golden years
One highlight of Homecoming Weekend was the Saturday induction of the Class of 1976 as the newest Golden Pioneers at a luncheon held in their honor.
“This is a great time to get together and reflect upon what Utica means to you and what you mean to Utica,” Vice President for Advancement Christine Kisiel told the honorees.
The event also honored alumni from the Class of 1971, 1966, 1961, 1956, and 1951. Immediately following the luncheon, Admissions Ambassadors took alumni for a walking tour of the campus.
“Just like the campus has changed, higher education and the world has changed too,” said President Nesbitt. “But Utica has changed and adapted right along with it.”
Membership in the Golden Pioneers is an honor given in recognition of a class as it reaches its 50th reunion year. And as Utica University celebrates its 80th academic year, the legacy these alumni represent holds a special resonance for an institution firmly rooted in its past while – as always – keeping its eyes on the road ahead.
“You’re not just people who went to school here,” Nesbitt told the honorees. “You’re part of our story.”
