Signature Events

The Office of Alumni Relations hosts a collection of Signature Events throughout the year for our alumni and friends to stay connected with UIW.

Family at tailgate smiling, husband, wife and children

RedZone Tailgates

Cheer on the Cardinals and mingle with fellow alumni and friends at our fun-filled and family-friendly RedZone Tailgates. Hosted before select home UIW football games and ahandful of other UIW athletic events, RedZone Tailgates are open to all alumni and friends. Events include food, drinks, live music and children’s activities with registration.

View RedZone Tailgates

group of alumni smiling

Homecoming

UIW Homecoming is a historic tradition that unites our university community. This year’s Homecoming will be taking place October 27 – November 3, 2024, with on-campus events, the Homecoming football game and tailgate, and the celebration of our 50th-year reunion graduates – the class of ’74. Sign up for Homecoming events today!

VIEW HOMECOMING EVENTS 

Families walking in parking lot

Trunk or Treat

Calling all spooky fanatics and candy lovers! Bring your little trick-or-treaters to Broadway and Hildebrand for our annual Trunk-or-Treat event on Sunday, October 27. Student groups from across UIW decorate their vehicles with different Halloween themes and pass out candy to all who dare to stop by. Trunk-or-Treat is open to all alumni, friends and little Cardinals. Register today!

REGISTER FOR TRUNK-OR-TREAT

Hand with UIW ring

Ring Ceremony

The UIW Ring Ceremony commemorates your academic achievements and presents you with your class ring! This celebration, taking place in the fall and in the spring, is open to students and alumni who have purchased the official Herff Jones class rings and all other personal UIW rings. Prior to the ceremony, all rings stay overnight at Chapel of the Incarnate Word. The fall Ring Ceremony will be taking place Monday, December 9. The spring Ring Ceremony will be taking place Monday, May 5.

REGISTER FOR THE FALL RING CEREMONY

Building with lighting at night

Light the Way – Exclusive Alumni Area

UIW’s Light the Way Holiday Festival presented by H-E-B, will be back for its 38th year with all the traditions you know and love. There is live music, food trucks, Shoppers' Lane, meet and greets with Santa, and of course, a million twinkling lights and fireworks to end the night. Light the Way will be on Saturday, November 23, 2024. Details for our exclusive alumni area are coming soon.

Red heart with UIW logo

Cardinals Couples Mass

If you met your soulmate at UIW and want to celebrate Valentine's Day in a special way, join us for the annual Cardinals Couples Mass in The Chapel of the Incarnate Word on Sunday, February 9, 2025. UIW is a home away from home for thousands of alumni and students, but for many, it’s also the place they find their life partners. Let's commemorate those love stories that began at UIW. More details coming soon.

Children running for Easter eggs

Easter Egg Hunt

Bring the little Cardinals in your life back to the Nest for our annual alumni Easter egg hunt! All UIW alumni and friends are invited to join us on campus to meet Red the Cardinal, enjoy games and activities for children, and take part in an Easter Egg hunt in the heart of our Broadway campus. Our toddler-exclusive Easter Egg Hunt is perfect for your younger ones, too. This year’s Easter Egg Hunt will be taking place on Saturday, April 12, 2024. More details coming soon.

President Evans, wife and alumni

Alumni and Friends Gatherings

Connect with local alumni and friends of UIW over food and drinks at our regional gatherings. Stay connected with us through conversations with UIW leaders, faculty and head coaches. In 2024, we visited alumni and friends in Houston and Dallas. Stay tuned for more dates and locations!