The University of Maine at Presque Isle will present Homecoming 2026 from Oct. 1 to 4, featuring sporting events, student activities, family-friendly fun, and signature gatherings such as the Blue & Gold Alumni Awards Dinner and the President’s Reception and All-Class Reunion. The full schedule of events can be found at www.umpi.edu/homecoming.
Festivities will again include Spirit Week activities, with a different theme each day between Sept. 28 and Oct. 2: Blue Day, Gold Day, Major Day, UMPI Sports Day, and Memories Day. All are encouraged to post photos on social media and use the “#umpispiritweek2026” hashtag.
On Thursday, Oct. 1, students can take part in Spirit Spin from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Campus Center; the event is worth one Talon Token. From 6-9 p.m., students, alumni, and community members are encouraged to participate in the 2nd annual Pickleball Tournament at Gentile Hall.
On Friday, Oct. 2, Popcorn, Paint & Pints will take place in the Campus Center Owl’s Nest at 1 p.m. There will be an Alumni Baseball Game at 6 p.m. and an Alumni Softball Game at 7 p.m. on the fields at Presque Isle High School. Also that evening, from 5:30-8:30 p.m., the Blue & Gold Alumni Awards reception and dinner will take place in the Campus Center Multi-Purpose Room, celebrating alumni achievement, community impact, leadership, and UMPI pride. This year’s honorees include: Lifetime Achievement Award, Dan Ladner, Class of 1959; Distinguished Alumni Award, John “Jack” Trull, Class of 1977; Distinguished Educator Award, Lawrence “Larry” LaBrie, Class of 1966; Graduate of the Last Decade Award, Amanda “Mandy” Spooner, Class of 2021; Owl Service Award, Laura Hale, Class of 2009; Distinguished Faculty Award, Dr. Terrence Tripp, Chemistry; and Distinguished Staff Award, Laurie Boucher, Class of 2019. Tickets are $35 per person. Cocktail hour begins at 5:30 p.m.; cash bar is available for those 21 and older with proper ID. RSVP’s are highly encouraged.
Activities kick off on Saturday, Oct. 3 with a Women’s Volleyball Doubleheader in Wieden Gym. The Owls play VTSU-Johnson at 10 a.m. and Noon. Men’s and Women’s Soccer take on Thomas College at Park Family Field with games at 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. The Tap Truck & Food Truck Festival will take place during the sports games.
All alumni, family, and friends are encouraged to attend the President’s Reception and All Class Reunion, from 6-8 p.m. at the Campus Center Multi-Purpose Room (MPR). The evening, complete with heavy hors d’oeuvres, reunion moments, and a cash bar (21 and older with proper ID) will celebrate graduates from all class years. Event-goers are highly encouraged to RSVP for this event.
Festivities cap off on Sunday, Oct. 4 with an Alumni, Student, and Family Brunch from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Kelley Commons. Waffles, bacon, custom omelets, fruit, yogurt, muffins, and more will be on offer, and the chef, pizza, and sandwich stations will also be open. Cost is $14.29 per person at the door.
Owl’s Nest and Spirit Store hours during Homecoming are: Monday-Friday (Sept. 28-Oct. 2), 7 a.m.-10 p.m.; Saturday (Oct. 3), 9 a.m.-2 p.m. For more information about Homecoming 2026, contact Candace Elliott at (207) 768-9425 or candace.elliott@maine.edu.