Homecoming at Grand View
September 21 - 28, 2025
We are thrilled for Grand View's upcoming Homecoming celebration! We invite all alumni, friends, and family to join Grand View for a fun filled week!
Sunday, September 21 |
Student Sidewalk Painting
All day | Green Space
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Monday, September 22 |
Wine with President Keck
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. | WineStyles Tasting Station (1450 SW Vintage Pkwy, Ankeny)
Dr. Rachelle Keck invites you to join Grand View for a night of wine tasting and mingling. Meet GV’s leadership and administration teams to learn about the future of Grand View. Thank you to Amanda Smith-Griffieon BA ’06, MS ’21, owner of WineStyles, for hosting.
Lunch and Learn with Danish Vejle Students
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Ibsen’s Valhalla, Henning Student Center
Enjoy lunch on campus while visiting students from the Vejle Business School in Denmark present about their experience as exchange students. Meals can be purchased at the door.
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Tuesday, September 23 |
Homecoming Chapel
11:00 a.m. | Luther Memorial Church
Attend chapel for an uplifting Homecoming inspired message with guest speaker President Rachelle Keck.
Viking Lunch
11:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. | Plaza View Room, Henning Student Center
Join fellow Grand View alumni and friends for lunch in the Plaza View Room and hear about the latest Grand View updates. Meals can be purchased at the door.
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Wednesday, September 24 |
Grand Views
3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Speed Lyceum, Henning Student Center
Members of Grand View and our community have the opportunity to nominate speakers, present, and listen to our very own TED Talk-inspired monologues, where we spread ideas worth sharing and give speakers a venue to voice innovative and thought-provoking concepts.
This year, we are highlighting our university values, which were recently refreshed as part of Grand View University’s strategic planning process. This annual event will feature one speaker in each of the following categories: excellence, inclusive community, adaptability, faith, global curiosity, agility, & positivity.
Submit a nomination by July 18
Drinks & Hymns
5:30 p.m. | Lykke Center, Luther Memorial Church
A gathering for spirited singing of sacred songs and more. Free local brew and root beer on tap. This family-friendly event is hosted by Campus Ministry, Luther Memorial Church, and GV United. Bring your voice, your I.D., and your friends!
Men’s Soccer vs. Culver-Stockton
5:00 p.m. | James W. Cownie Soccer Complex (2600 Hartford Ave, Des Moines)
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Thursday, September 25 |
1896 Club Dinner
6:00 p.m. social hour, 7:00 p.m. dinner & program | Carlson Commons, Henning Student Center
This annual dinner celebrates and thanks our 1896 Club donors, will recognize the annual alumni awards, and welcomes the reunion class of 1975.
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Friday, September 26 |
Admissions Visit Day
8:30 a.m. | Henning Student Center
High school students are invited for an informative and fun first look at Grand View. Students and families are invited to attend the football game following the visit day - complimentary tickets will be provided. Visit www.grandview.edu/admissions for registration details.
The History of Student Life at Grand View presented by Evan Thomas
3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Plaza View Room, Henning Student Center
Presented by Professor of History Emeritus Evan Thomas, the Grand View community is invited to learn about the research and presentation about the connection between today's students and alumni with the university, by showing them what the school meant to previous generations and inviting them to imagine their place in the longer story.
Men's Wrestling Annual Alumni Practice
4:00 p.m. | Viking Event Center (3839 E 14th St, Des Moines)
Wrestling alumni and families are invited back to the mats to watch or take part in practice. All are welcome to attend the Homecoming Festival after practice.
Homecoming Festival
5:00 p.m. | Grand Central Plaza*
Free family fun for all ages at this outdoor festival. Live music, food trucks, balloon artist, cash bar, and more. *Alternate location will be the Johnson Wellness Center Field House weather permitting.
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Saturday, September 27
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Football Tailgate
8:00 a.m. | Maple Street Baptist Church parking lot (south of Duke Williams Stadium)
Cheer Team Alumni Practice
8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. | Field House, Johnson Wellness Center
Alumni, family, and friends are invited to attend and participate in the open practice. The team will also debut their halftime performance. RSVP to Coach Penelope Olson at polsen @ grandview.edu.
Dance Visit Day
8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. | Johnson Wellness Center, Field House
High school and transfer students are invited to visit Grand View to learn gameday material and learn from two local studio directors and attend the Homecoming football game!
Viking Bags Tournament
9:00 a.m. | Maple Street Baptist Church parking lot (south of Duke Williams Stadium)
Grab a partner and try your luck at being crowned the 2025 Homecoming Bags Tournament Champions! (Sign up link coming soon)
Football vs. St. Ambrose University
12:00 p.m. | Duke Williams Stadium (15911 E. University Ave, Des Moines)
Tickets available at the gate ($5 adult/$3 child)
Men’s Soccer vs. MidAmerica Nazarene University
4:00 p.m. | James W. Cownie Soccer Complex (2600 Hartford Ave, Des Moines)
Athletic Awards Dinner
6:00 p.m. social hour, 7:00 p.m. dinner & program | Carlson Commons, Henning Student Center
Hall of Fame inductees and alumni athletic award winners are recognized during this annual celebration. Tickets will be available for purchase (link coming soon)
Women’s Soccer vs. MidAmerica Nazarene University
6:30 p.m. | James W. Cownie Soccer Complex (2600 Hartford Ave, Des Moines)
Bingo Night
7:00 p.m. | Speed Lyceum, Henning Student Center
Alumni and students are invited to enjoy a free bingo night filled with prizes and fun.
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Sunday, September 28
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Worship Service
10:00 a.m. | Luther Memorial Church
Luther Memorial Church invites all alumni, friends and students for an uplifting Homecoming message.
Softball Alumni Game
10:00 a.m. | Luhrs Athletic Complex
Softball alumni game followed by GV intersquad scrimmage. RSVP to Coach Willer at dwiller @ grandview.edu.
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Athletics Events
Show your Viking pride! Homecoming week will be packed full of athletic competitions from several of our teams. Check out the full athletics schedule and show your support!

2024 Alumni Awards Winners
Danish Heritage Preservation Award
Bruce Bro, president of the National Foundation for Danish America
Distinguished Alumni Award
Harry Shipley ’93
10 Under 10 Alumni Awards
Brittany Carlson BS ’18, MSAT ’21
Sarah (Roemer ’19) Engquist
Zack Hollier ’15
Senaila (Sabic ’15) Lowman
Val Veiock BS ’15, MS ’17
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Regan (Grossnickle ’16) Doely
Bethany (Wilcox ’15) Fast
Alex Krumm MS ’17
Gustavo Martinez ’15
Brandon Wright ’15
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Visit the Alumni Awards page to see all winners from previous years.
Obsie Birru '12 - Women's T&F / XC
Glenn Rhees '11 - Men's Wrestling
Jason Gladfelder '14 - Football
Lauryn Camp '12 - Women's T&F
Eric Thompson '14 - Men's Wrestling
2014 National Championship Men's Wrestling Team
See all inductees at the Athletics Hall of Fame site.