Homecoming and Reunion Weekend has been extended to Sunday!
October 23 - 25, 2026
Join us for a weekend of Bulldog and Demon pride! Homecoming and Reunion Weekend is open to the entire Dean community, including alumni, students, parents and families, faculty, staff, and friends. Come celebrate all things Dean, reconnect with classmates, cheer on our teams, and make new memories - together.
Additional events and details will be added as they are confirmed. ALUMNI: Please make sure your contact info is up to date with the Alumni Engagement Office as information about the weekend will be emailed to alumni.
Schedule of events (subject to change)
Friday, October 23, 2026
3:30 pm Men's Soccer vs. New England College, Longley Athletic Complex
3:30 pm Field Hockey vs. Fitchburg State, Grant Field
5 - 6:30 pm Dean Academics: Then, Now & Next, Main Stage, Dr. Paula M. Rooney Student Center
Come see where Dean has been, and where it is headed next, at our academic open house! Join us in the Main Stage to visit with past and present faculty, explore student work, and discover how Dean’s academic programs continue to grow and evolve. Enjoy light refreshments, conversation and an inside look at today’s Dean. Want to see more? Join a student-led campus tour following the gathering, departing at 6:30 pm, to revisit familiar spaces and see what has changed.
6 - 8:00 pm Classes of 1975 and 1976 Ray House Revival, Ray House
Ray House has its legends. The most mysterious involves a heavy mirror in the Great Room that reportedly slipped from its hooks and slid down the wall without so much as a crack. Of course, Ray House has other legends, too. A few involve the Classes of 1975 and 1976. Come back to celebrate the good times had in Ray House and share whatever stories you’re willing to.
$20 per person includes hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. Advance registration is requested.
7:00 pm Women's Volleyball vs. Rivier University, Pieri Gymnasium
7:00 pm Fall Movie Night: Five Nights at Freddy’s, Atrium, lower-level Dr. Paula M. Rooney Student Center
Sponsored by the Dean Activities Board and Short Film Club
End your day on a spooky note! Grab some pizza, a cupcake and a soft drink, then settle in for a showing of Five Nights at Freddy’s. The entire Dean community is welcome!
Saturday, October 24, 2026
9:00 am Alumni Lacrosse Game, Longley Athletic Complex
9:00 am Alumni Softball Game, Longley Athletic Complex
9:00 am Alumni Baseball Gathering, Longley Athletic Complex
9:00 am Dean Historical Campus Tour with Professor Rob Lawson, Main Stage Kiosk
Led by Dr. Rob Lawson, Dean’s resident historian, this guided walking tour invites alumni, students and families to explore the landmarks, stories and people that have shaped Dean. This year, students from Dr. Lawson’s HIS 430 Public History class will join him in presenting the tour, offering a new student perspective on Dean’s past - from Dean Academy to Junior College to today’s Dean College.
Along the way, discover little-known pieces of Dean’s history. Did you know that Dean’s first enrolled class was made up predominantly of women? And that “Awpie” was inspired by the initials of beloved former headmaster Arthur Winslow Peirce? Join us on Saturday morning to delve into Dean’s rich history.
The tour will depart at 9:00 AM from the Main Stage kiosk, located in the Dr. Paula M. Rooney Student Center, and will last about an hour. Much of the tour will take place outdoors, so dress appropriately.
10:45 am Alumni Homecoming Workout with Orangetheory Fitness Franklin
Alumni - Start your Homecoming Saturday with a little movement and plenty of Dean energy! Dean College and Orangetheory Fitness Franklin are teaming up to offer alumni a free, one-hour workout featuring coaching, cardio, strength and community. Whether you’re an Orangetheory regular, trying it for the first time or simply looking for a fun way to get moving before the day’s festivities, we’d love to have you join us. Alumni are welcome to bring a guest.
This session will take place off campus at Orangetheory Fitness Franklin, located in the Horace Mann Plaza, 277 East Central Street, Franklin.
Space is limited, and advance registration is required. Each alum may bring a guest but must reserve their spots separately in order to receive the required confirmation and waiver directly from Orangetheory Fitness. Click here to reserve your spot at Orangetheory Fitness Franklin.
11:00 am Women's Soccer vs. Colby-Sawyer College, Longley Athletic Complex
11:30 am Fan Zone, Cookout, Tailgating, Alumni Hospitality Tent, Dale Lippert Field
1:00 pm Football vs. Worcester State, Dale Lippert Field
On the 15th anniversary of the dedication of the Longley Athletic Field Scoreboard in memory of Thomas "Butchie" Williams '75, the Class of 1975 will again help present the Class of ’75 Thomas "Butchie" Williams MVP of the Game Award to a deserving Dean Football player in front of the scoreboard.
3 - 5:00 pm After the Game on Awpie Way
The fun doesn’t have to end when the football game does! Head to Awpie Way for an afternoon of food and drinks, entertainment, activities for all ages, and plenty of places to gather. Additional details will be announced as plans take shape.
- Face-painting
- Lawn Games
- Music
- S'mores
- Food and beverage trucks
- Cash bar
- Pictures with Boomer and the Dean Demon
- Brushes & Bulldogs on Awpie Way: Get creative with alumna Julie Frias ’07 of Snapshot Crafting during After the Game on Awpie Way. Paint and personalize your own Dean-themed wooden sign or choose from over 100 of Julie’s available designs. There’s something for every Bulldog. No artistic experience needed! Signs range from $10–$25. Reserve your preferred size in advance or stop by Julie’s table on Saturday. Walk-ups are welcome while supplies last. Click here to learn more about creating your own sign and to purchase one in advance if you wish to.
7:00 pm Dean's Musical Theatre Troupe - Halloween Karaoke/Open Mic Night, Dean Hall Chapel
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2026
NEW for 2026
Dean Dash – Fall 5K, Longley Field
Gather your team, lace up your sneakers and make the Dean Dash part of your Homecoming and Reunion Weekend!
Close out Homecoming and Reunion Weekend on the move! We’re thrilled to be able to include this year’s Dean Dash – Fall 5K as part of Homecoming and Reunion Weekend. This annual fundraiser is organized by students from Dean R. Sanders ’47 School of Business. Not only is the Dean Dash a good time, but it provides the students with an essential experiential learning opportunity.
Participate on your own – or make it even more fun by forming a team of students, alumni, teammates, colleagues, family members, and friends.
Everyone is invited to visit the Dean Alumni Hospitality Tent to enjoy a warm drink and fall breakfast treat to start your day!
7:30 am Check in, number pick up, pre-race hospitality
8:00 am Dean Dash begins! Run, jog or walk at your own pace. The course includes paved, grassy and dirt-covered areas.
After crossing the finish line, stick around for some post-race fun. We’ll have music, individual and team awards, and a hospitality tent sponsored by the Dean College Alumni Engagement Office.
Registration fees:
The first 75 registered participants are guaranteed a Dean Dash T-shirt.
Click here to register for the Dean Dash Fall 5K!
let us know you're coming!
Registration may not be required for most events, but your RSVP matters! Checking off the events you’re interested in helps us prepare for the weekend, share important updates, and create the best possible Homecoming and Reunion Weekend experience.
With your permission, we’ll also share your name so others can see who else is coming. We understand plans can change - we'd still love to know that you’re hoping to join us!