
Homecoming and Family Weekend 2026: A picture-perfect fall celebration
With changing leaves and plenty of sunshine, Â鶹ŮÀÉ welcomed alumni, families, and friends to campus Oct. 2–4 for Homecoming and Family Weekend 2026 — an opportunity to celebrate the Skidmore community and Thoroughbred pride.
Across campus, families got a glimpse of college life and alumni reconnected with friends and favorite places. The entire community also cheered on the Thoroughbreds and enjoyed performances, exhibitions, and other special events, including a live interview with Award-winning broadcast journalist and best-selling author Joan Lunden P’27.
Against a picture-perfect fall backdrop, the weekend offered plenty of reasons to celebrate — and plenty of reminders of what makes Â鶹ŮÀÉ a special place to learn, connect, and return.
Career Jam
Students connected with alumni and professionals across a range of fields at Career Jam, hosted by Skidmore’s Career Development Center. They explored career paths, gained firsthand insights, and built meaningful connections, highlighting the strength of Â鶹ŮÀÉ’s lifelong network of mentorship and support.
Supporting Â鶹ŮÀÉ Athletics
Friends of Â鶹ŮÀÉ Athletics (FOSA) showed their school pride at the Thoroughbred Bred Cup at Saratoga National Golf Course. The event brought together alumni and many other community members in support of a good cause.
Athletics took center stage during the All in to Win initiative — a multiday fundraising challenge for Â鶹ŮÀÉ Athletics. More than 947 families, fans, and Thoroughbreds across generations rallied to raise over $452,000, topping the $300,000 goal.
Â鶹ŮÀÉ student-athletes competed throughout the weekend in hard fought matchups, with fans gathering to cheer on the Thoroughbreds in field hockey, men's and women's soccer, volleyball, and women's tennis.
Filene Scholar celebration concert
The Filene Scholar Celebration Concert showcased recipients of Â鶹ŮÀÉ’s prestigious Filene Music Scholarship. Among the country’s most talented young musicians, Filene Scholars advance their musical studies at Skidmore while pursuing any major they choose. Their performances showcased extraordinary musical talent and exemplified the spirit of Creative Thought Matters in every pursuit at Skidmore.
Student Events Council Bonfire
Students, families, and alumni gathered around the bonfire to warm up, catch up with friends, and enjoy the crisp fall evening. Hosted by the Student Events Council, the gathering offered another opportunity to spend time together and take in the festive atmosphere.
Skidtoberfest and BBQ
Skidtoberfest brought students, families, and alumni together for a lively fall celebration filled with color, creativity, and cheerful community spirit. The signature event featured local vendors and artisans, seasonal treats, and student performances. Combined with beautiful blue skies and energy, Skidtoberfest was a highlight of the weekend.
The celebration continued with the tailgate hosted by the Office of Alumni Engagement. Students, families, and alumni enjoyed delicious chicken from the famous Brooks' House of BBQ while cheering on the Thoroughbreds.
FOSA Banquet
The Friends of Â鶹ŮÀÉ Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony honored the remarkable achievements of Dani DeGregory '16, Charles Kromann '05, Thomas E. Lach '87, Meredith Palmer '11, Sarah Cooper Raymond, and the 2013 riding (now equestrian) team.
Their stories — spanning decades of excellence, leadership, and dedication— exemplify the passion, teamwork, and creativity that define the Â鶹ŮÀÉ student-athlete experience.
Good Morning Â鶹ŮÀÉ
On Sunday, members of the Â鶹ŮÀÉ and Saratoga Springs communities listened to former “Good Morning Americaâ€� co-host Joan Lunden P’27 speak about her most recent book, “Joan: Life Beyond the Script,â€� during a special event co-hosted by the Saratoga Book Festival. During what is an “an incredibly precarious time in this country when it comes to news and broadcasting,â€� Lunden praised Â鶹ŮÀÉ for its supportive campus atmosphere — “a crucial antidote to the negativity.â€�
A picture-perfect autumn weekend
Homecoming and Family Weekend celebrated some of what makes Â鶹ŮÀÉ special: a creative, caring community and the connections that make returning to Saratoga Springs feel like coming home.