Homecoming + Family Weekend
Schedule
Monday, October 13
Chapel
10:20-11 a.m. | Benson Great Hall, Community Life Center (CLC), Level 1
Join us for worship and an impactful message!
Wednesday, October 15
Chapel
10:20-11 a.m. | Benson Great Hall, Community Life Center (CLC), Level 1
Join us for worship and an impactful message!
Alumni of the Year Luncheon
1-2:30 p.m. | Olson Boardroom, Brushaber Commons (BC), Level 4
We cordially invite you to help us celebrate our 2025 Alumni of the Year at the Alumni of the Year Luncheon. This event is by invitation only.
Thursday, October 16
Bethel Preview Day
9:15 a.m.-2:15 p.m. | Community Life Center (CLC), Level 1
This visit day provides a chance for prospective students and their family to become better acquainted with Bethel. It includes opportunities to tour campus, attend chapel, eat lunch in Monson Dining Center, visit with staff and faculty, and learn about individualized areas of interest. This visit day is largely tailored for high school juniors; however, we welcome any prospective student who is interested in learning more about Bethel! Registration is now open!Friday, October 17
Campus Store
9 a.m.-4 p.m. | Campus Store, Brushaber Commons (BC), Level 2
Shop the Campus Store for all your Bethel gear!
Bethel Preview Day
9:15 a.m.-2:15 p.m. | Community Life Center (CLC), Level 1
This visit day provides a chance for prospective students and their family to become better acquainted with Bethel. It includes opportunities to tour campus, attend chapel, eat lunch in Monson Dining Center, visit with staff and faculty, and learn about individualized areas of interest. This visit day is largely tailored for high school juniors; however, we welcome any prospective student who is interested in learning more about Bethel! Registration is now open!
Check-In & Information Central
10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. | Ticket Office, Community Life Center (CLC), Level 1
Stop by to pick up a schedule and a name tag, and get your questions answered for the weekend!
Chapel
10:20-11 a.m. | Benson Great Hall, Community Life Center (CLC), Level 1
Join us for worship and an impactful message!
Lunch
11 a.m.-2p.m. | Monson Dining Center, Brushaber Commons (BC), Level 3
Experience lunch on campus, and enjoy the variety and appeal of Bethel’s delicious buffet-style dining. Payment can be made at the Monson Dining Center (credit/debit cards preferred). Parents and families are welcome to use their student’s meal plan.
Dinner
Experience dinner on campus, and enjoy the variety and appeal of Bethel’s delicious buffet-style dining. Payment can be made at the Monson Dining Center (credit/debit cards preferred). Parents and families are welcome to use their student’s meal plan swipes.
Class of 1975 50-Year Reunion Dessert Reception
7-9 p.m. | New Perspective | 3565 Pine Tree Drive, Arden Hills, MN 55112
Members of the Bethel College Class of 1975 and their guests are invited to enjoy a time of visiting, laughing, and getting reacquainted at the 50-Year Reunion Dessert Reception! This event is being hosted at New Perspective and is free to attend. Registration is now open.
Saturday, October 18
Football Alumni Pickleball Tournament & Breakfast
Pickleball 8 a.m. | Breakfast 9:30 a.m. | Sports and Recreation Center (SRC)
Football alumni are invited to play in a Homecoming pickleball tournament followed by breakfast together. Register today!
Men’s Soccer Alumni “Kick Around”
9-11 a.m. | Ona Orth Athletic Complex
Men’s soccer alumni are invited to come out to Ona and play some "pick-up" soccer! Registration is now open!
Check-In & Information Central
9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Loggia, Community Life Center (CLC), Level 1
Stop by to pick up a schedule and a name tag, and get your questions answered for the weekend!
Homecoming + Family Weekend Visit Day
9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. | Community Life Center (CLC), Level 1
Join us on Bethel's Homecoming Visit Day! As one of our favorite days of the year, we invite you to tour campus, hear from current students and alumni, enjoy brunch with our admissions team, and attend an optional sporting event of your choice. If you're interested in athletics at Bethel, you won't want to miss this. Stick around all day and attend a sporting event on campus, or head out after brunch! Registration is now open.
Campus Store
10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Campus Store, Brushaber Commons (BC), Level 2 & Royal Stadium
Shop the Campus Store for all your Bethel gear!
Baseball Alumni vs. Alumni Game
10 a.m.-noon | Hargis Park
Baseball alumni of all ages and abilities are invited to play in a fun, friendly competition of alums vs. alums. If there are not enough alums for a game, we'll still hold an alumni batting practice. Registration is now open.
Platinum Alumni Coffee
10:30-11:30 a.m. | Lower Campus Center, Lakeside Center (LSC), Level 1
We invite all undergraduate alumni from the classes of ‘75 and prior to join us at the Platinum Alumni Coffee. This event will include a brief program and chance to meet President Ross Allen. This event is free to attend. Space is limited—register today!
“The Studio” Open House
10-11:30 a.m. | The Studio for Vocation and Calling, Clausen Center (CC), Level 2
We invite you to an information session and open house for Bethel University's new Studio for Vocation and Calling, launching in fall 2025. This innovative initiative is designed to empower every student to discover their unique gifts, deepen their faith, and confidently launch lives of purpose by integrating vocational exploration and career readiness directly into the student experience. You'll have the chance to explore the new physical space in the Clausen Center, and learn how this "built-in" model of preparation ensures that all students receive the guidance, relationships, and real-world exposure needed to thrive, connecting them with a robust "Royal Network" of alumni, employers, and faculty to help them secure fulfilling jobs.
Scandia Church Open House
11:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. & 12:00 p.m.-12:30 p.m. | Scandia Church
Come for a brief historical sketch, describing the origins of the Scandia Church, the influence of pioneer Andrew Peterson, and the reason why the church building now stands on the Bethel campus. Listen to the pump organ, and peruse a 19th century diary. There will be two identical presentations—11:30 a.m. and noon.
History Center Open House
11:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. & 12-12:30 p.m. | History Center, Lakeside Center (LSC)
Step back in time at the History Center Archives and explore the history of Bethel and the Swedish Baptists who began it all. From the first Swedish Bible ever printed to an immigrant's diary describing Minnesota in the 1850s, see old photographs, newspapers, videos, missionary letters, and much more. Encounter F.O. Nilsson, Swedish pioneer in America after his exile from Sweden and builder of Bethel's own Scandia Church on campus. There will be two identical presentations—11:30 a.m. and noon.
Lunch
11 a.m.-1p.m. | Monson Dining Center, Brushaber Commons (BC), Level 3
Experience lunch on campus, and enjoy the variety and appeal of Bethel’s delicious buffet-style dining. Payment can be made at the Monson Dining Center (credit/debit cards preferred). Parents and families are welcome to use their student’s meal plan.
Alumni & Parent Tailgate (hosted by Thrivent Financial)
11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Sports and Recreation Center (SRC) Parking Lot
All alumni and current parents and families are invited to join us for the second annual Alumni & Parent Tailgate before the football game! Enjoy awesome food trucks and a kid zone with Little Blue’s Traveling Zoo, free caricature drawings, temporary tattoos, a bounce house and more! All alumni and current parents and families are welcome! There will be tents for current parents and families and for alumni celebrating a reunion year. The following classes are celebrating a reunion this year:
- Platinum Alumni (Prior to 1976)
- 50-Year (1975)
- 45-Year (1980)
- 40-Year (1985)
- 35-Year (1990)
- 30-Year (1995)
- 25-Year (2000)
- 20-Year (2005)
- 15-Year (2010)
- BUYA: Bethel University Young Alumni (2015-2025)
Those who register for the Alumni & Parent Tailgate will also receive a free ticket to the football game and volleyball game! Current parents and families that register for this event will also receive a Bethel-branded gift. Cost is $5 for adults and students, and free to children 3 years old and younger. Walk-up registration will be available as well. Registration is now open!
Men’s Soccer vs. Hamline University
1 p.m. | Ona Orth Athletic Complex
Cheer on the Royals as they take on the Pipers! Alumni, be sure to stop by the Alumni Table to pick-up your FREE alumni T-shirt (while supplies last)!
Football vs. St. Olaf College
1 p.m. | Royal Stadium
Cheer on the Royals as they face the Oles! Those that register for the Alumni & Parent Tailgate will receive a free ticket to the game! For those that do not register for the Alumni & Parent Tailgate, tickets for the game can be purchased at the gate ($10 for adults and $5 for students). Alumni, be sure to stop by the Alumni Tent to pick-up your FREE T-shirt (while supplies last)!
Alumni Tent
1-4 p.m. | Royal Stadium
Stop by the Alumni Tent to connect with fellow alumni, take a photo at the photo booth, update your information, and pick-up your FREE T-shirt (while supplies last)!
Women’s Soccer vs. Hamline University
3:30 p.m. | Ona Orth Athletic Complex
Cheer on the Royals as they take on the Pipers! Be sure to stop by the alumni table to pick-up your FREE alumni T-shirt (while supplies last)!
Baseball Alumni vs. Current Royals Game
4-6 p.m. | Hargis Park
Play against the current Bethel Royals in a competitive nine-inning game on their turf infield! Stay afterwards to connect with players and coaches. This game is geared towards recent alumni (1-5 years out) and those who can still compete at a high level. Register today!
Athletic Hall of Fame Open House
5-6 p.m. | Robertson Center (RC), Level 1
Join us as we reveal our new athletic recognition space and the relaunch of the Bethel University Athletic Hall of Fame! Celebrate the athletes, coaches, and teams who have left an incredible mark on Royal athletics.
Dinner
5-6:30 p.m. | Monson Dining Center, Brushaber Commons (BC), Level 3
Experience dinner on campus, and enjoy the variety and appeal of Bethel’s delicious buffet-style dining. Payment can be made at the Monson Dining Center (credit/debit cards preferred). Parents and families are welcome to use their student’s meal plan.
Class of 1975 50-Year Reunion Dinner
6-9 p.m. | Olson Boardroom, Brushaber Commons (BC), Level 4
Gather with fellow alums from the Class of 1975 as together you enjoy dinner, hear from special guests, and spend plenty of time reminiscing and reconnecting in celebration of your 50-year reunion. This event costs $15. Register today!
Cookies & Canvas
6:30-8:30 p.m. | Atrium, Brushaber Commons (BC), Level 2
Enjoy cookies and refreshments while painting your own Bethel-inspired artwork! You’ll have the chance to choose which design you want to paint, and then you’ll follow step-by-step water color instructions. All skill levels are welcome. Registration is $10 per person and includes all supplies, cookies, and refreshments. Register today!
Volleyball vs. Gustavus Adolphus College
7 p.m. | Robertson Center (RC) Gym
Cheer on the Royals as they face the Gusties! Those that register for the Alumni & Parent Tailgate will receive a free ticket to the game! For those that do not register for the Alumni & Parent Tailgate, tickets for the game can be purchased at the gate ($10 for adults and $5 for students). Alumni, be sure to stop by the Alumni Table to pick-up your FREE T-shirt (while supplies last)!
Sunday, October 19
Lunch
12-1:30 p.m. | Monson Dining Center, Brushaber Commons (BC), Level 3
Experience lunch on campus, and enjoy the variety and appeal of Bethel’s delicious buffet-style dining. Payment can be made at the Monson Dining Center (credit/debit cards preferred). Parents and families are welcome to use their student’s meal plan.
Student-led Vespers Service
9 p.m. | Benson Great Hall, Community Life Center (CLC), Level 1
Experience this special time of worship that has grown from a small residence hall gathering to a weekly service drawing thousands of young people from across the Twin Cities.