All activities on the Downcity Campus! 

2 – 7 pm  / Check-in / Gaebe Commons (rain plan: Pepsi Forum)

Kick off the weekend with some music, games and snacks. Stop by to check in and get any tickets you reserved. You can also purchase HFW commemorative tees, and chat with members of the HFW planning team. 

4 pm / Weybosset Historical Walking Tour (ticketed event; SOLD OUT) 

Learn about the arts, entertainment and historic architecture scene along Weybosset Street, adjacent to JWU’s Downcity Campus. Faculty from the Colleges of Arts & Sciences and Hospitality Management will lead the conversation during an easy stroll starting at Abbott Park, traveling toward the Providence River, and back to Abbott Park via Westminster Street. No charge, but note that space is limited. Please register to confirm your participation.

5 – 7 pm / Wildcat Family Feud / Yena Center

The JWU Travelers, a popular student organization on campus, brings their Wildcat Family Feud activity to Homecoming & Family Weekend. Stop by D'Amico Auditorium in the Yena Center, any time between 5 & 7, to join the fun as contestants or audience members. Optional donations toward the Travelers' fall and spring travel accepted at the door.

7 pm / Tea Time! / Xavier Academic Center (tickteted event; SOLD OUT)

Experience the College of Hospitality Management's Food & Beverage Lab on the first floor of Xavier Academic Center. COHM faculty will lead a tea tasting, complete with discussion on the geography of tea. 

7 pm / Get in the Spirit / Xavier Academic Center  (ticketed event; SOLD OUT)

Non-alcoholic spirits are growing in prevalence and popularity. College of Hospitality Management faculty are excited to share their expertise, and some samples. Join them in the SEEM lab (first floor, Xavier Academic Center). 

8 pm / e-BINGO / Pepsi Forum, Wales Hall

A staple at JWU's Homecoming & Family Weekend, but offered with a twist this year! We'll play e-card BINGO in Schneider Auditorium, Xavier Academic Center. Participants must have their own device (phone or tablet; make sure it's charged) to access the internet. Ten rounds of play = ten chances to win! No charge, but note that seating is limited!

9:30 pm / Fun with the JWU Players / Pepsi Forum, Wales Hall  

For the first time, the JWU Players – our theater-focused student org – will present a one-act comedy play. Prepare to laugh and meet the Players in a brand-new way! Optional donations toward the Players' spring musical accepted at the door. 

All activities on the Harborside Campus! 

10 am – 4 pm / Check-in / Wildcat Center Lobby 

If you missed us on Friday, stop by to check in, purchase HFW commemorative tees, and chat with members of the HFW planning team. 

10 – 10:30 am / Parent & Family Welcome / Wildcat Center Lounge

Members of our Parent & Family Advisory Board invite you to say hello and enjoy a beverage/light snack. A great way to start the day and get ready for greetings from JWU’s president. 

10:30 – 11:30 am / Wildcat Chat with President Marie Bernardo-Sousa, LP.D., '92 / Wildcat Center Lounge

Hear from JWU’s Providence Campus president as she reflects on the first six weeks of the academic year and discusses the vision for JWU's future. College deans and department leaders will join President Bernardo-Sousa for Q&A at the conclusion of this special session. 

11:00 am – 4 pm / Culinary Arts Museum / Friedman Center 

Stroll through our collection at your leisure and learn more about this hidden JWU gem. 

11:30 am – 4:30 pm / Wildcat Spirit Zone / Wildcat Center Green Space 

Games . . . pumpkin painting . . . crafts . . . photo opp . . . mini golf . . .and lots more! Visit the Spirit Zone throughout the day. 

12 – 4 pm / Wildcat Tailgate / Scotts Miracle-Gro Athletics complex 

Join us for a tailgate during the men's and women's soccer games. Bring your favorite tailgate snacks and beverages, as well as a blanket or chairs, and cheer on our Wildcats! No registration is necessary. Consumption of alcoholic beverages is limited to persons 21 years and older and must be consumed responsibly within the tailgate area.  

12 – 5 pm / Wildcat Wahoo / Lot F (across from the CCCE Building)

We're excited to combine one of our favorite annual traditions – Wildcat Wahoo – with Homecoming & Family Weekend. The whole family can enjoy unlimited carnival rides and other surprises at Wahoo.

12 – 5 pm / Food Truck Extravaganza / Lot F (across from the CCCE Building) 

Enjoy cuisine from some of Rhode Island's most popular food trucks. We'll have the biggest HFW lineup in recent years. All food truck vendors accept cash and/or credit cards. 

12 – 12:45 pm / Cupcake Wars for Families (session 1) / Cuisinart Center for Culinary Excellence (ticketed event; SOLD OUT)

Time for some friendly family competition! We'll provide the ingredients (cupcake blanks, buttercream and some mystery items) that teams of 3 or 4 will use to create cupcakes. Creations will be judged based on appearance and taste. This is sure to be fun so join in, regardless of your student's major.

12:30 – 3:30 pm / Culinary Showcase / Cuisinart Center for Culinary Excellence 

This is when students and chefs from our College of Food Innovation & Technology shine. Visit our state-of-the-art academic labs and enjoy complimentary samplings of sweet and savory foods. Learn about some of our culinary-focused clubs & orgs, which may have their popular goodies for sale. Don't miss our JWU artisans at work.

1 – 1:45 pm / Tea Time! / Cuisinart Center for Culinary Excellence (ticketed event; SOLD OUT)

Can't make it on Friday night? Here's another opportunity. College of Hospitality Management faculty will lead a tea tasting, complete with discussion on the geography of tea.  

1:15 – 2 pm / Cupcake Wars for Families (session 2) / Cuisinart Center for Culinary Excellence (ticketed event; SOLD OUT)

More opportunity for friendly family competition! We'll provide the ingredients (cupcake blanks, buttercream and some mystery items) that teams of 3 or 4 will use to create cupcakes. Creations will be judged based on appearance and taste. This is sure to be fun so join in, regardless of your student's major.

2 – 3 pm / Beer Talk & Taste / Cintas Dining Room, HAC Building (ticketed event; SOLD OUT) 

Do you enjoy a cold brew on a summer afternoon? Do you like the world of ales, pilsners and stouts? Not sure what an IPA is? JWU experts will teach you what differentiates one type of beer from another while you share conversation and a pint or two. All are welcome but participants must be 21 or over to sample beer, and all members of your party must have a ticket.

2:30 – 3:15 pm / Let Your Sushi Roll / Cuisinart Center for Culinary Excellence (ticketed event; SOLD OUT)

Try your hand at preparing this delicacy while discussing its origins and learning about what makes it so popular. 

3:30 – 4:30 pm / All About Cheese / Culinary Amphitheater, HAC Buidling (ticketed event; SOLD OUT)

Who loves cheese?  Join us to sample outstanding artisanal cheese from around the world. While we taste, we'll talk about how cheese is made and what makes it taste so good! 

8 – 10 pm / Karaoke / Wildcat Center Lounge

Grab a mic and belt out your favorite tune, or be there to be a fan. Fun for the whole family. Note that seating is limited. 

10 – 11 pm / Wildcat Trivia / Wildcat Center Lounge

End the day with some late-night trivia. We'll even have a prize for the winner. Note that seating is limited.

All activities on the Harborside Campus! 

9 am and 12 pm seatings / Sunday Brunch / Cuisinart Center for Culinary Excellence (ticketed event; SOLD OUT)

Enjoy a brunch filled with culinary delights, prepared by students in the Club of Culinary Excellence (CCE). This annual brunch is served in a dining room overlooking JWU's Athletics complex and the beautiful Narragansett Bay. CCE students have a great brunch menu in store for you, with complimentary a-la-carte items. This is always a popular event that sells out fast – get your tickets early!

1:00 pm / Family Movie / Wildcat Center Lounge

Relax in the Wildcat Center Lounge and enjoy a movie - How to Train Your Dragon - with your family. We'll even provide the popcorn!

Cheer on our Wildcat athletes during intercollegiate competition. All games take place on the Harborside Campus, as noted.  

Friday, Oct. 6 @ 6 pm / Field Hockey vs. Simmons / Scott’s Miracle-Gro Athletics Complex

Saturday, Oct. 7 @ 12 pm / Men's Soccer vs. Colby-Sawyer / Scott's Miracle-Gro Athletics Complex

Saturday, Oct. 7 @ 2 pm / Women's Volleyball vs. Colby-Sawyer / Wildcat Center Main Gym

Saturday, Oct. 7 @ 3 pm / Women's Soccer vs. Colby-Sawyer / Scott’s Miracle-Gro Athletics Complex 

JWU Athletics will welcome five former athletes to its Athletics Hall of Fame on Saturday evening, Oct. 7, at Harbor View's Rhode Island Room. Read more about the Athletics Hall of Fame and this year's inductees in this press release.

Interested in attending the induction ceremony? Purchase tickets today!