Homecoming and Family Weekend Brings RWU Community Together in Celebration

With over 400 families and 100 alumni in attendance, the Bristol campus buzzed with excitement and camaraderie during a weekend filled with cherished traditions, spirited events, and the warmth of familiar faces.

By Jordan J. Phelan ’19
Attendees at Saturday's Autumn Festival enjoy a lively atmosphere as they engage in friendly games and savor delicious offerings from local vendors.
Attendees at Saturday's Autumn Festival enjoy a lively atmosphere as they engage in friendly games and savor delicious offerings from local vendors.

BRISTOL, R.I. – Crisp autumn air, the vibrant colors of changing leaves, and the hum of lively conversations filled Roger Williams University’s Bristol campus as students, families, and alumni reunited for one of the most beloved traditions of the year: Homecoming and Family Weekend. From October 18-20, the campus buzzed with excitement as the RWU community came together to celebrate Hawk pride through a weekend of festivities, shared memories, and the warmth of familiar faces.

The event saw an impressive turnout, with more than 400 registered families and 100 alumni joining the celebration. The festivities kicked off Friday with classic events like Casino Night, where participants tried their luck at blackjack, roulette, and poker in hopes of winning big in the evening’s raffle, and Family Bingo, which drew large crowds to the Upper Gym eager for exciting prizes. The night also featured a captivating student theater performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, bringing the magic of Shakespeare's play to life in the Performing Arts Barn, as well as the Athletics Hall of Fame Banquet, where the outstanding achievements of alumni athletes were celebrated alongside coaches, administrators, teams, and dedicated supporters who have made a lasting impact on the university’s athletic program.

Building on the energy of Friday's events, the weekend continued with the Autumn Festival, where carnival games, axe throwing, arts and crafts, and performances by student dance groups and bands entertained attendees. Local food vendors added a taste of Rhode Island flavor to the festivities, while the Homecoming 5K Road Race, led by the RWU Cross Country team, offered a spirited start to the morning, with students, parents, alumni, faculty, and staff running through the scenic campus.

"Homecoming and Family Weekend is always a special time for the Roger community, and this year was no different,” said Carol Sacchetti, Associate Dean for Student Life. “Students, along with their families and loved ones, explored campus, attended traditional events, and cheered on our athletic teams. The weekend truly celebrates the connections that make Roger a wonderful community.”

Students, families, and alumni fill Roger Williams University's Bristol campus on Saturday.
The Mount Hope Bridge is visible from the Shell Path.
Two people hug.
Autumn Festival attendees play games such as cornhole while indulging in tasty treats.
A family gathers to take a photo with giant RWU block letters.
Attendees engage in a friendly dialogue.
Two students hugging.
With fists in air, attendees show their joy playing a game during the Autumn Festival.
President Yannis Miaoulis and First Dog Roger pose for a photo in front of giant RWU block letters.
At Casino Night, a man gives thumbs up to the camera.
Two students are excited at the blackjack table.
A student confidently slides his chips along the roulette board.
Students, families, and alumni fill Roger Williams University's Bristol campus on Saturday.
The Mount Hope Bridge is visible from the Shell Path.
Two people hug.
Autumn Festival attendees play games such as cornhole while indulging in tasty treats.
A family gathers to take a photo with giant RWU block letters.
Attendees engage in a friendly dialogue.
Two students hugging.
With fists in air, attendees show their joy playing a game during the Autumn Festival.
President Yannis Miaoulis and First Dog Roger pose for a photo in front of giant RWU block letters.
At Casino Night, a man gives thumbs up to the camera.
Two students are excited at the blackjack table.
A student confidently slides his chips along the roulette board.

The perfect weather set the stage for a lively weekend, making the campus feel warm and welcoming as families and alumni gathered to mingle and enjoy each other's company. This sense of camaraderie was palpable across campus, where the excitement was further amplified by matches featuring our talented and award-winning sports teams, including Sailing, Men’s and Women’s Soccer, Women’s Volleyball, and Wrestling.

"This year's Homecoming and Family Weekend was one of the best I have experienced during my two years at RWU,” said Kelly Scafariello, Assistant Vice President of Alumni Relations. "As a proud alum, the highlight for me was connecting authentically with our Alumni Hawk Family and sharing stories from our time as students. We truly have a special community here at Roger Williams."

With another successful Homecoming and Family Weekend in the books, the Roger Williams community is already looking forward to creating new memories and welcoming even more families back to campus in 2025.

"The excitement was palpable as students, families, and alumni came together to enjoy a variety of events. It truly embodied the kind of meaningful connections we aim to celebrate,” said Derek Zuckerman, Associate Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students. “A big thank you to everyone who visited our beautiful campus and to the staff who worked tirelessly to bring it all together. We can’t wait for next year!"

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