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More Than 3,000 Alumni and Families Attend Homecoming

Saint Louis University welcomed more than 3,000 alumni and families for the 2016 Homecoming and Family Weekend, which was Sept. 23-25, on SLU’s St. Louis campus.

Homecoming 2016

The crowd cheers during the Billiken men's soccer match against the VCU Rams in Robert R. Hermann Stadium. Photo by Steve Dolan

The weekend’s activities kicked off with the Golden Billiken Reunion Dinner Friday evening for the Class of 1966 celebrating 50 years since graduation; a Garden-to-Table event featuring music and food from SLU’s organic teaching garden prepared by SLU chef-instructors; and an outdoor showing of the Pixar animated film “Finding Dory.”

Saturday began bright and early with the 15th annual Cheryl Cavallo Hustle for Your Health 5K Fun Run, a student-led effort to support scholarships for the physical therapy program. The Black Alumni Association hosted the 26th annual Ernest A. Calloway Jr., Prayer Breakfast Reunion for the first time during Homecoming and Family Weekend, and the SLU Pregnant and Parenting Student Assistance Committee hosted a meet-and-greet breakfast, as well.

Festivities continued with Homecoming’s second Food Truck Festival featuring some of St. Louis’ favorite mobile fare, campus trolley tours, a service project for SLU Cancer Center patients, a reception with SLU Jesuits and a Billiken Tailgate party, among other activities.

Saturday night culminated with the annual Golf Cart Parade – led by the Billiken Pep Band and University President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D. – followed by the Billiken men’s soccer match against VCU, with a fireworks show at halftime.

After Mass at St. Francis Xavier College Church Sunday morning, Golden Billikens and alumni who graduated before 1966 enjoyed a brunch in the lower level of the church. Other homecoming attendees had "Brunch with the Billiken" in Busch Student Center.

More than 100 parents, staff and alumni volunteered at events throughout the weekend to help make it all possible.

For more than a decade, SLU has held a combined homecoming weekend for alumni as well as the families of students – bringing together multiple generations of Billikens to celebrate Saint Louis University.