Alumni

Attendees raise their arms above their heads in an O formation.

Alumni and Friends Homecoming Celebration

This annual event welcomes alumni back to campus during Ohio State's Homecoming week for dinner, awards and celebration.

2026 Homecoming celebration

Oct. 8, 2026, at 5:30 p.m.
Center Melissa Warner Bow Grand Ballroom
John Gilbert Reese Center, 1209 University Drive, Newark, OH 43055

The celebration includes dinner, entertainment, a silent auction to benefit the Ohio State Newark Alumni Scholarship, and the presentation of the 2026 Ohio State Newark Distinguished Alumni Award.

Speakers

Opening Remarks: Matthew J. Smith, PhD, Ohio State Newark dean and director

Keynote Speaker: Doug Worthington, former Ohio State Buckeyes football team captain and NFL veteran

Register

A $5 registration fee is donated to The Ohio State Newark Alumni Scholarship for Ohio State. Open to alumni and invited guest 21 years old or older. IDs will be checked at the door. Guests will receive a wristband and two complimentary drink tickets.

Registration is required. Deadline: Friday, Sept. 18, 2026

For more information

Contact Becky Clawson, assistant director of advancement, at 740.755.7866 or clawson.36@osu.edu.

Newark Alumni Scholarship

If you cannot attend, we invite you to make a donation to the Newark Alumni Scholarship.

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2025 Homecoming celebration
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Dean and Director Matt Smith addresses the crowd from the podium.
James Cotton addresses a crowd from the podium.
Guests speak to Dean and Director Matt Smith and his wife.
Dean and Director Matt Smith presents the Distinguished Alumni Award to Jodie Wheeler.
Guests seated at tables during the alumni Homecoming celebration in the Reese Center.
Guests converse during the alumni Homecoming celebration in the Reese Center.
A guest wears scarlet and gray Buckeye memorabilia.
Guests converse during the alumni Homecoming celebration in the Reese Center.
Guests converse during the alumni Homecoming celebration in the Reese Center.
A student on the Homecoming court talks with a guest at the alumni Homecoming dinner.
A student on the Homecoming court shakes hand with a guest at the alumni Homecoming dinner.
Guests converse during the alumni Homecoming celebration in the Reese Center.
Guests converse during the alumni Homecoming celebration in the Reese Center.
Guests converse during the alumni Homecoming celebration in the Reese Center.
Guests converse during the alumni Homecoming celebration in the Reese Center.
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Alumni and friends gather at the Reese Center for a Homecoming celebration at Ohio State Newark.
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2024 Homecoming celebration
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Dean and Director Matthew Smith stands at a podium addressing the crowd of alumni attending the Homecoming celebration.
Members of the Ohio State Newark Homecoming court pose for a picture.
Attendees raise their arms above their heads in an O formation.
Former Ohio State football player and keynote speaker Aaron Parry stands at a podium addressing the audience at the Alumni Homecoming celebration.
Dean Matthew Smith and family take a picture with keynote speaker and former Ohio State football player Aaron Parry.
Kenneth Yeager holds his award for Distinguished Alumni surrounded by family members.
Advancement office staff take a picture with keynote speaker and former Ohio State football player Aaron Parry.
Attendees raise their arms above their heads in an H formation.
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Photos from the 2024 Alumni Homecoming celebration held on Oct. 24.
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2023 Homecoming celebration
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Two alumni stand around a table in conversation.
Dean and director William MacDonald stands next to a cake celebrating his 20 years of service.
Alumni sit at a round table in conversation.
A woman stands talking to another woman who is seated at a table.
A man looks up from a table of alumni.
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Photos from the 2023 Alumni Homecoming Celebration.