Homecoming at Grand View
September 27 - October 4, 2026
We are thrilled for Grand View's Homecoming celebration! We invite all alumni, friends, and family to join Grand View for a fun filled week!
Note: Below is a tentative schedule of this year's events. Check back later for updates!
| Sunday, September 27 |
|
Student Sidewalk Painting
All day | Green Space
The Longest Table
4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
This event is designed to strengthen community ties through shared food and open dialogue.
|
| Monday, September 28 |
|
Wine with President Keck
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. | Location to be determined
|
| Tuesday, September 29 |
|
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.
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.
|
| Wednesday, September 30 |
|
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.
Grand Views 130: Then. Now. Next.
3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Speed Lyceum, Henning Student Center
For 130 years, Grand View University has evolved through changing generations, challenges, and ideas. This year’s ted-talk event explores: what shaped us, what defines us today, and what will carry us into the future. All are welcome to attend. $5 staff and faculty dinner in the dining center. Learn more about Grand Views
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!
|
| Thursday, October 1 |
|
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 1976.
|
| Friday, October 2 |
|
Fall Visit Day
1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. | Henning Student Center
Visit Grand View’s campus during our Fall Visit Day! During this visit day, you will learn more about the admissions and financial aid process, have the opportunity to meet with faculty in your intended major, and hear from a panel of students and staff about what it’s like to attend Grand View. We also encourage you to attend Homecoming week festivities after your visit!
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.
Dance Team Youth Clinic
Rehearse before the Homecoming Festival then perform at the festival in the GV Plaza.
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 if weather does not allow outdoor activities.
|
Saturday, October 3
|
|
Football Tailgate
8:00 a.m. | Maple Street Baptist Church parking lot (south of Duke Williams Stadium)
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!
Homecoming 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!
Football vs. Clarke University
12:00 p.m. | Duke Williams Stadium (1591 E. University Ave, Des Moines)
Tickets available at the gate ($5 adult/$3 child)
Men’s Soccer vs. Culver Stockton College (Mo.)
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.
|
Sunday, October 4
|
|
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.
|
Check out highlights below from Homecoming 2025:
Thank you to everyone who celebrated Homecoming week with us from September 21 - 28, 2025! This year's Homecoming celebration brought
record-breaking energy, attendance, and Viking pride to campus. There were many events held throughout the week on campus and in the community.
The 1896 Club Dinner served as a heartfelt thank you to Grand View supporters, a tribute to the Class of 1975 celebrating their 50th reunion, this year’s 10 Under 10 award recipients, and two special honorees:
- Larry Hartsook '63, honorary trustee (1993–2007), received the Distinguished Alumni Award posthumously.
- Diana Sickles '87 was honored with the Sally Cartwright Volunteer Service Award for her unwavering dedication to Grand View.
The Homecoming Festival on Friday night saw one of the largest crowds, featuring exciting new additions: an alumni tent buzzing with reconnections, a vibrant Viking Vendor Fair spotlighting four alumni-owned small-businesses, and an awesome performance by the Grand View drumline, and cheer and dance teams.
Saturday kept the momentum going with a spirited tailgate and the Athletic Hall of Fame Awards Dinner. Grand View honored five outstanding former student-athletes, celebrated the 1984 & 1985 NAIA World Series baseball teams, and recognized Jim Carlson '75 with the Robert L. Mahaffey Community Service Award for his exemplary contributions.
2025 Alumni Awards Winners
Distinguished Alumni Award
Larry Hartsook ’63
Sally Cartwright Volunteer Service Award
Diana Sickles ‘87
10 Under 10 Alumni Awards
Kyler Case ’17
Karissa (Davis ’16) Barnabo
Kelsey (Redmond BS ’19 MS ’21) Bentley
Trevonte Diggs ’21
Hayley Ellis ’17
Emilee Harris ’18
Nicholas Olson ’19
Tre Porter ’16
Kendra Scholten ’18
Mitch Vetter ’17
Visit the Alumni Awards page to see all winners from previous years.
2025 Athletics Hall of Fame Inductees
Brad Lower ’13 – Men’s Wrestling
Chad Lowman ’14 – Men’s Wrestling
Brady Roland – Football
Val Veiock BA ’15, MS ’17 – Women’s T&F
Devon Wells ’14 – Women’s Volleyball/T&F
1984 & 1985 NAIA World Series Baseball Teams
See all inductees at the Athletics Hall of Fame site.
Athletics Events
Show your Viking pride! Homecoming is always packed full of athletic competitions from several of our teams. Check out the full athletics schedule and show your support!
