Homecoming 2025 Schedule

7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. • University Center

Visit the University Center for public restrooms, atm, and vending. The UC food court will open at 10:30 a.m.

In-Person Speakers • 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m • Various Locations

Joshua Lovett – BUS’ 13
Director of Partnerships | Convoy of Hope, FL
Location: Stetson Hall Room 251

Matt Reeves – CLAS ’99 (Pre-Law; Political Science)
State Representative (District 99, Suwanee, Sugar Hill, Duluth) | State of Georgia
Location: Connell Student Center Conference Room 1

Kathryn Doornbos, Ph.D. – CLAS ’10 (Biology)
Director of Clinical Partnerships, Carter Healthcare | Lincoln, NE
Location: Willet Science Center Auditorium

Tara Shiflett – MUSE BSE & MSE ’00 (Electrical)
Chief of Technology, Defense, and Technology Solutions, Mission Tech | Huntsville, AL
Location: Science and Engineering (SEB) – Room 110

Allison Solomon – CLAS ’08 (Great Books; Political Science; International Affairs; Spanish)
Managing Director, Social Impact, Deloitte | Atlanta, GA
Location: Godsey Science Center – Room 203

Virtual Speakers • 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Marquez Reid, FNP – GBCN ‘25 (DNP), ‘19 (MSN), ‘17 (BSN)
Family Nurse Practitioner
St. Joseph’s/Candler Urgent Care Center, Pooler, GA and Coastal SC

Leslie Baker – COPA ‘25 (BS Organization Leadership)
Owner and Consultant
Baker Healthcare Management and Marketing
Practice Administrator for The ENT Center of Central Georgia and its subsidiaries, Macon, GA

Stephanie Jackson – COPA ‘20 (MS Criminal Justice and Public Safety Leadership), ‘17 (BA Liberal Studies)
Paralegal Studies Program Coordinator
Atlanta Technical College, Atlanta, GA

Register to attend the speaker series here!

Visit Mercer’s Center for Career and Professional Development website for more detailed information about the guest speakers.

11:00 a.m. – 2:00 pm • Tarver Library

To celebrate our alumni and friends, Tarver Library has created an interactive timeline featuring Mercer’s vibrant history. Come paint your place, and while you’re at it, peruse old yearbooks, and grab some library swag. For more information, contact Ceallsach Crouch at (478).301.2962.

2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. • Emily Parker Myers Admissions and Welcome Center 

Don’t miss the opportunity to get an inside look at the college admissions process during Mercer’s Homecoming Weekend. Join the Office of University Admissions for a visit designed for alumni, faculty, staff, friends of the University, the Middle Georgia community, and their college-bound students in grades 9-12. Register here.

3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. • Beginning at Penfield Hall

Members of the Class of 1975 are invited for a complimentary tour of Mercer’s campus before the Golden Anniversary Reception and Dinner. Register here.

3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. • Kicklighter Hall

Please join us as we show the improvements made to Kicklighter Hall and Freedom Plaza!

4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. • Mercer University School of Law

Dean Sneddon invites Mercer Law alums to the Law School from 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm for a wine and cheese reception. Tours of the Law School will be available. Tickets are $10.00 per person and may be purchased here.

5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. • Downtown Macon

Discover beautiful Downtown Macon during the first ever Bear Crawl! Support Mercer connected businesses and try their exclusive Mercer Homecoming themed specials. Participating businesses include: Braddock’s Cask & Table, Fall Line Brewing Co., Just Tap’d, Longleaf Distilling Co., and Shuster’s Candy & Creamery.

No registration required, go at your own pace on your own schedule!

Check back soon to see what the specials will be!

5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. • Penfield Hall

This event is invitation only for members of the undergraduate Class of 1975 and their guests. A pre-dinner reception will begin at 5:30 p.m. with dinner following promptly at 6:30 p.m. in Penfield Hall. Register Here.

Guests may park in the parking lot behind the Stetson-Hatcher School of Business.

5:00 p.m. – 6:45 p.m. • Presidents Dining Room in the University Center

Our annual Alumni and Friends Awards Reception and Program honors our Athletic Hall of Fame inductees and recipients of the Alumni By Choice, Meritorious Service, Distinguished Alumnus, and Young Alumnus awards. This event is by invitation only.

6:30 p.m. – 8:15 p.m. • Toney Auditorium in Willingham Hall

The Student Lip Sync Competition is a beloved Mercer Homecoming tradition. Competing teams showcase their creativity and school spirit with lip syncing, choreographed performances, and plenty of energy all while bringing the campus community together for an unforgettable night of fun and friendly rivalry!

8:15 p.m. • Hawkins Arena

Join us for our traditional Homecoming pep rally, live music, drinks, and dancing before capping off the night with fireworks (and more dancing, if you’d like!).

7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. • University Center

Visit the University Center for public restrooms, ATM, and vending. The UC food court will open at 10:30 a.m.

8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. • Five Star Stadium

The 2025 installment of the Mercer University Homecoming 5K race is scheduled for Saturday, November 15 at 8:00 am. The race will consist of two laps around Mercer University’s beautiful campus with a short trip through Five Star Stadium and along Coleman Avenue. Registration includes a Homecoming 5K t-shirt based on availability.

Register Here

Please note that online registration will shut down on Friday, November 14 at 8:00 am. You may still register for the race on the morning of at the race site/start. Raceday registration is $25.00 to be paid with credit and debit cards via QR code. No cash or check will be accepted.

Please arrive at least 45 minutes before the race begins to register and prepare for the race. Raceday registrations are not guaranteed a shirt or selected size.

Contact the Office of Recreational Sports and Wellness with any questions at (478).301.2370.

9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. • Connell Student Center

Mercer University’s Student Government Association invites past SGA Presidents and Vice Presidents back for a reunion breakfast in the Connell Student Center.

10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. • Tarver Library

Looking for a peaceful moment? An indoor restroom? How about a place to sit for a while? Come by Tarver Library! Check out resources available for alumni, or grab a bottle of water. For more information, contact Ceallsach Crouch at (478).301.2962.

10:00 a.m. • Bell Board Room

11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. • Intramural Courts in the University Center

Mercer Alumni who graduated fifty years ago or more are invited to this year’s Half Century Club Induction Ceremony and Celebration. Alumni may bring one complimentary guest. Additional guests are $25.00 per person. This event is by invitation only. Register here.

11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. • Black Field

The faculty, staff, and students in the College of Health Professions welcome you to visit our tailgate prior to the Homecoming football. Everyone is welcome – alumni, current students, prospective students, and parents – to come find out what is happening in the College of Health Professions. Share in our lunch buffet and we will have giveaways to take to the game!

For more information, contact Pamela Green at (678).547.6208.

11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. • Black Field

The Stetson-Hatcher School of Business would like to welcome our Alumni, Students, Prospective Students, Faculty, Staff, Family, and Friends to join our 2025 tailgate before the game. Please come and enjoy free food and drinks. We can’t wait to see you! Registration is not required. For more information, contact Cecilia Williams at (478).301.2832 or williams_ce@mercer.edu

11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. • Black Field

The Georgia Baptist College of Nursing welcome you to visit our tailgate prior to the Homecoming game. Everyone is welcome – alumni, current students, prospective students, and family members. Come find out what is going on in the College of Nursing, and grab some GBCN swag. We can’t wait to see you! Registration is not required. For more information, contact Paul McClendon at (678).547.6453.

11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. • Black Field

Mercer University’s Office of Alumni Engagement invites alumni and friends to stop by a Homecoming tailgate. Food and drink will be provided while supplies last. T-shirts and giveaway items will be available while supplies last. Register here, and contact the Office of Alumni Engagement with any questions.

11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. • Black Field

Be Part of the Celebration—40 years of Engineering at Mercer!

11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. • Black Field

The College of Pharmacy invites alumni, faculty, staff, students, and friends to a touchdown tailgate before the Mercer Homecoming game! Come by for food and fun before kickoff! For questions, contact Genice Johnson at (678)-547-6306. Register here.

11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. • Black Field

Join the Mercer School of Theology, Tift College of Education, and the College of Professional Advancement for an exciting time of food and fellowship before the Homecoming football game. Students, staff, faculty, alumni, and friends are all welcome to join us as we prepare to cheer on the Bears!

Theology students and alumni in Atlanta should check their emails for information on transportation to Macon and ticket opportunities. Contact Jeremiah Hamby at (678)-547-6442.

12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. • Black Field

Join Mercer Law alumni, faculty, staff, students, and friends for a Homecoming tailgate on Black Field. Food and beverages will be provided. Register for the tailgate here.

11:00 a.m. • Black Field

12:00 p.m. • Black Field

12:00 p.m. • Black Field

12:00 p.m. • Five Star Stadium

12:30 p.m. • Across Campus

12:45 p.m. • Black Field

2:00 p.m. • Five Star Stadium

3:00 p.m. • Five Star Stadium 

Buy tickets to the game Here

6:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. • Fall Line Brewing Co.

🎉🐻 Mercer Bears, it’s time to keep the celebration rolling at the Mercer Homecoming Afterparty at Fall Line Brewing! After the game on Saturday, November 15thnd, head over for a night full of Bear pride, brews, and good vibes!

We’re serving up Orange Bear Margaritas and Ol’ Toby, our Mercer Easy Ale! 🍻 Plus, we’ll be 10% off your tab, just show your ticket from the game!. Now that’s a winning deal! 🏆

So, after the game, grab your crew and toast to a homecoming victory with ice-cold slushies, local brews, and a night of celebration you won’t forget! See you there, Bears! 🐻🍻