Celebrate With Your Fellow Golden Huskies At Homecoming! (Oct. 2-4, 2025)
Get ready for NIU's 118th Homecoming weekend (October 2-4), where Golden Huskies—NIU graduates of 50+ years ago—will reunite and celebrate. This year, the Class of 1975 crosses the 50-year threshold and is invited to join the Golden Huskie Alumni Network for Golden Huskie-exclusive and community events during Homecoming! Learn more about how you can connect online and in person below!
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Reconnect & Reminisce - Join the Golden Huskies Alumni Network Facebook Group, check out last year's festivities, browse your yearbook, or share your NIU journey through the Golden Huskies yearbook.
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Show off your 50+ years of Huskie Pride - Visit the NIU Alumni Store to pre-order your Golden Huskies gear to wear for Homecoming!
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Plan Your Visit - Room blocks for Homecoming can be found at both the Hampton Inn and the Holmes Student Center (815-753-1444; use code: Alumni). Visit the DeKalb County Visitors Bureau for additional hotel recommendations and sites to see.
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If you need travel accommodations to get around on Friday, Oct. 3 - we are offering a free shuttle bus. Times and locations can be found here.
Click the boxes below for more information about the various aspects of the weekend. Please direct questions to Melissa Ouimette at mouimette@niu.edu or 815-753-9057.
Golden Huskie Homecoming Events
Click the boxes below for descriptions of each activity.
Friday, Oct. 3 Coffee and Conversation - FREE
Cost: Free
Time: 9-10:30 a.m.
Location: Gabel Hall
Join your fellow Golden Huskies in this engaging and thought-provoking lecture during Homecoming weekend, where NIU Professor David J. Gunkel will introduce you to Large Language Models (LLMs)—the technology behind ChatGPT and other AI tools that are transforming how we write, learn, and communicate.
Friday, Oct. 3 Golden Huskies Reception and Group Photo - $ Register Below
Cost: $40 ($45 walk-in)
Time: 6-9 p.m.
Location: Barsema Alumni and Visitors Center
Have a blast from the past at the Golden Huskies 50+ Year Reunion Reception at the Barsema Alumni and Visitors Center, including the class of 1975. Take a walk down memory lane that’s been five decades in the making, with heavy hors d’oeuvres. Don't miss out on the reunion photo which will be taken during the reception.
Saturday, Oct. 4 Fifth Annual Brunch with Mission and Victor E. - $ Register Below
Cost: $30 ($35 walk-in)
Ages 4-17: $20 ($25 walk-in)
Time: 9-11 a.m.
Location: Altgeld Hall Auditorium
Golden Huskies are invited to join community members during this classic homecoming event. There will be plenty of opportunities to take pictures with our favorite mascots, Mission III and Victor E. Huskie!
Each registration includes a full buffet of scrambled eggs, hash browns, bacon, fresh fruit, biscuits and gravy, assorted pastries, coffee and juice. With their tickets, guests who are over 21 years old will receive one ticket for a Dawgma beer from Pollyanna Brewing & Distilling or a Bloody Mary. Additional beverage tickets will be available for purchase.
Parking is available in the lot on the north side of the lagoon, as well as in the art building parking lot, both of which are located off of College Ave.
Learn more here.
Saturday, Oct. 4 Mission's Grove Pregame with Golden Huskie Tent - FREE
Cost: Free
Time: TBD
Location: Mission's Grove is located in the Oderkirk Field, adjacent to the Barsema Alumni & Visitors Center
Gather at a special 50+ year tent at Mission’s Grove. There is no cost to attend Mission's Grove. You will be able to purchase food and drinks from the various food and beverage trucks that will be on the grounds.
Saturday, Oct. 4 NIU vs. Miami (OH) Homecoming Football Game Information/Tickets - Purchase Below
Cost: $35 (Chairbacks); $30 (Benchbacks); $18 (Bench)
Time: TBD
Location: Huskie Stadium
Don't miss your access to the fun! Purchase your group ticket to cheer on our Huskies with other Golden Huskies during Homecoming.
NIU Homecoming Community Events
These events are managed by other NIU campus offices. You will receive event-related details from the party responsible for the event after registering via their website. Check out a complete list of Homecoming events here.
Thursday, Oct. 2 Huskie Homecoming Block Party - FREE
Cost: Free
Time: 5 p.m.
Location: Downtown DeKalb 100 - 400 Lincoln Hwy, DeKalb, IL
Local fans, students, faculty, staff and alumni are invited to join the Huskies for a down-home celebration in downtown DeKalb. The Huskie Homecoming Block Party has something for everyone—kidzone, classic car show, March of the Huskies, pep rally, food trucks, discounts at local businesses and much more!
No registration required.
Friday, Oct. 3 Homecoming Campus Tour (with the Golden Huskies) - FREE
Cost: Free
Time: 11 a.m.
Location: Gabel Hall
The campus tour will depart from the Learning Center in Gabel Hall, stop at different buildings and end back at Gabel Hall. The different stops during the tour will highlight some new buildings on our campus, as well as highlight newly renovated spaces.
Friday, Oct. 3 Golden Huskies Lunch in Neptune Hall - $
Cost: Approximately $10 (credit card only; paid at time of purchase)
Time: 12:30-2:30 p.m.
Location: Neptune Hall Dining Area - 750 Lucinda Ave., DeKalb, IL 60115
Stop by Neptune Hall after the Homecoming Campus Tour to reminisce about your favorite cafeteria foods from your days as a Huskie and eating in a residence hall.
Friday, Oct. 3 Huskie Hour with DeKalb County Bold Spirits - $
Cost: $35
Time: 4-6 p.m.
Location: Jonamac Orchard - 19412 Shabbona Rd., Malta, IL 60150
Get into the Homecoming weekend spirit when you join your fellow Huskies and fans for an afternoon of local beverages and fall-inspired appetizers at Jonamac Orchard. Enjoy special cocktails, brews and wine from DeKalb County Bold Spirit partners, live music and a festive atmosphere.