Earlham College Family Weekend 2026
October 15-18, 2026
Family Weekend returns to Earlham this fall! Families of current Earlham College students are invited to join us Thursday, Oct. 15, through Sunday, Oct. 18, for a weekend of connection, celebration, and Earlham tradition.
Set against the backdrop of Homecoming and Reunion Weekend, Family Weekend gives families the chance to experience campus alongside hundreds of alumni and friends of the College. Highlights include a family reception, the Epic Expo — Earlham’s annual showcase of student-faculty scholarship and creativity — the Homecoming Bash, and opportunities to cheer on the Quakers in fall athletics.
Come make memories with your student and be part of a special weekend on campus.
Family Weekend schedule:
2 – 6 p.m. | Family Weekend Check-in
📍 Comstock Room, Runyan Center
Make this your first Family Weekend stop! Check in, pick up your name tag and schedule, and enjoy a few treats and giveaways to start the weekend.
5:30 p.m.–7:00 p.m. | On-Campus Dinner Options
📍 Dining Hall & Café 1847, Runyan Center
7:00 p.m. | Documentary Screening of “Women Laughing” and Q&A with Liza Donnelly ‘77
📍Wilkinson Theater, Runyan Center
Explore “Women Laughing,” Liza Donnelly’s ’77 documentary about The New Yorker’s women cartoonists, then stay for a Q&A with Liza.
10 a.m.–7 p.m. | Family Weekend Check-in
📍 Comstock Room, Runyan Center
Make this your first Family Weekend stop! Check in, pick up your name tag and schedule, and enjoy a few treats and giveaways to start the weekend.
10-10:30 a.m | Epic Expo kickoff
📍 Atrium of the Center for Visual and Performing Arts
See engaged learning in action as students share projects, research, off-campus study experiences, and other hands-on work from across the Earlham experience.
10 a.m.–2 p.m. | Information Tent
📍 The Heart
Visit the Information Tent for directions, answers, friendly conversation, and a chance to spin the prize wheel for Earlham swag.
10:30-11:45 a.m. | Epic Expo Concurrent Sessions
📍 Locations will be announced soon!
See engaged learning in action as students share projects, research, off-campus study experiences, and other hands-on work from across the Earlham experience.
11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. | On-Campus Lunch Options
📍 Dining Hall & Café 1847, Runyan Center
Need lunch between Friday events? Head to the Dining Hall or Café 1847 in Runyan Center and pay when you arrive—no advance purchase needed.
1:15-2:45 p.m. | Epic Expo Poster Presentations
📍 Athletics and Wellness Center
See engaged learning in action as students share projects, research, off-campus study experiences, and other hands-on work from across the Earlham experience.
3:30-4:15 p.m | Epic Expo Concurrent Sessions
📍 Locations will be announced soon
See engaged learning in action as students share projects, research, off-campus study experiences, and other hands-on work from across the Earlham experience.
4–5 p.m. | Computer Science, Math, Physics, Engineering, and Astronomy Open House
📍 1st and 2nd Floors of the Center for Science and Technology
Meet longtime professors and new faculty, while getting an inside look at Earlham’s new engineering program.
4–6 p.m. | Ethan Solomon Climbing Wall Open Climb
📍 Athletics & Wellness Center
Take a break and try the climbing wall in the Athletics and Wellness Center. All equipment is provided, and climbers of all experience levels are welcome.
5–6:30 p.m. | Alumni Awards Ceremony
📍 Goddard Auditorium, Carpenter Hall
🎟 Free — Registration Required
Join us as we honor Earlham alumni whose leadership, service, achievements and athletic accomplishments reflect the very best of the Earlham community.
6:30–10:30 p.m. | Homecoming Bash
📍 Eight to the Bar, 993 E Main St.
🎟 Free — Registration Encouraged
Celebrate Homecoming downtown with food trucks, a live DJ, Earlham-themed cocktails, games, and plenty of time to reconnect with friends old and new.
6:45 p.m | Downtown Richmond Walking Tour
📍 Meet at Eight to the Bar, 993 E Main St.
Take a behind-the-scenes tour of Richmond with our Revitalize Richmond team for exciting sneak peeks for the exciting changes happening downtown.
7:30 p.m. | Alumni Home Run Derby
📍 Randal R. Sadler Stadium
Swing for the fences with fellow alumni, students, and coaches. All are welcome — whether you are here to play or cheer!
9 a.m.–3 p.m. | Family Weekend Check-in
📍 Comstock Room, Runyan Center
Make this your first Family Weekend stop! Check in, pick up your name tag and schedule, and enjoy a few treats and giveaways to start the weekend.
9 a.m. | Dennis Hinkle ’64 Memorial Walk/Run
📍 Check-in at Matlack-Messer Stadium
🎟 Free — Registration Required
Walk or run with President Paul Sniegowski in support of Earlham Cross Country and in memory of Dennis Hinkle ’64. Thanks to a generous anonymous donor, registration is free, and race-day gifts will be matched in support of the team.
9-10 a.m. | Drum Circle at the Richmond Farmer’s Market
📍 47 N. 6th St., Richmond
Visit the Richmond Farmer’s Market and join Earlham’s Hand Drum Ensemble for a lively, entertaining experience. No previous musical knowledge is needed — just bring your enthusiasm and enjoy the music.
9 a.m.–3 p.m. | Information Tent
📍 The Heart
Questions, directions, or swag? The Information Tent is your Saturday hub for help, conversation, and the prize wheel.
10:30–11:30 a.m. | Presidential Update
📍 Goddard Auditorium, Carpenter Hall
Hear from President Paul Sniegowski about Earlham today, current priorities, and the road ahead.
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Coffee and Conversation with Language Departments
📍 May Crossen Commons, Runyan Center
Join professors and students for a warm beverage and welcoming conversation in French, Spanish, and Japanese.
11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. | Family Weekend Lunch
📍 Dining Hall, Runyan Center
🎟 $12 — Registration Required
Enjoy a relaxed buffet lunch in the Dining Hall and reconnect over a favorite part of the Earlham experience: gathering around the table.
1 p.m. | Women’s Soccer vs. Mount St. Joseph University
📍 Matlack-Messer Soccer Stadium
1-4 p.m. | Fall Fun Show at the Suzanne Hoerner Jackson Equestrian Center
📍 Suzanne Hoerner Equestrian Center, Back Campus
Come out to the Suzanne Hoerner Jackson Equestrian Center for an afternoon of fun and horses. See different riding styles, learn what it takes to keep our barn and horses happy, and get to know our gentle giants!
1:30–2:30 p.m. | In the Classroom with Earlham – Session 1
📍 Various Locations
Return to the classroom for a taste of Earlham learning today. Choose from mini-classes that invite you to explore a favorite topic or discover something new. Check back as sessions are added.
2 p.m. | Volleyball vs. Berea College
📍 Druley Performance Gym, Athletics and Wellness Center
2:45-4 p.m. | Earlham Archives Open House
📍 Earlham Archives, Lilly Library basement
Discover the rich history of Earlham College at the Earlham College Archives. Explore a unique collection of artifacts, manuscripts, and photographs that reveal key moments in Earlham’s past.
2:45–3:45 p.m. | In the Classroom with Earlham – Session 2
📍 Various Locations
Keep the learning going with a second round of mini-classes led by members of the Earlham community. Additional session details will be shared as they are confirmed.
3:30 p.m. | Men’s Soccer vs. Mount St. Joseph University
📍 Matlack-Messer Soccer Stadium
Organized by the Student Life and Academic Affairs divisions, and the Board of Trustees.
4 p.m. | Earlham Wimbledon and Tennis Mixer
📍 Gene Hambrick Varsity Tennis Center
Following the men’s and women’s tennis games, all alums, students, and coaches are invited to hit the courts! All skill levels welcome.
5-6 p.m. | Reception for families
📍 May Crossen Commons, Runyan Center
Organized by the Student Life and Academic Affairs divisions, and Board of Trustees.
5:30 p.m.–7 p.m. | On-Campus Dinner Options
📍 Dining Hall & Café 1847, Runyan Center
Not attending a reunion dinner? Stay on campus and enjoy dinner at the Dining Hall or Café 1847. No pre-payment is required—just pay when you arrive.
8-11 p.m. | Homecoming Semi-Formal Dance
📍 Comstock Room, Runyan Center
8:30–10:00 a.m. | Breakfast Buffet
📍 Dining Hall, Runyan Center
🎟 $10 — Registration Required
Enjoy one last meal together before heading home. The Sunday breakfast buffet is a relaxed chance to say goodbye and wrap up the weekend.
Questions?
Natalie Hart
Executive assistant; Office manager for student life VP
For Family Weekend Questions