Homecoming & Family Weekend



2024HomecomingGraphic


  • Welcome
  • Highlights
  • Registration
  • Go Kart Races
  • Cardboard Boat Races
  • Schedule
  • FAQ

Homecoming & Family Weekend is specifically designed for both our alumni and our current students and their families.  Whether building your first relationships with the LETU family or reconnecting with longtime friends, this is the event for our faculty, staff, and their families, our alumni, and our entire student body and their families.

Join us as we Build with Purpose this Homecoming & Family Weekend! We look forward to Go Kart Races, the Academy of Engineering & Engineering Technology, our Alumni Chapel, Cardboard Boat Races, Rope Pull and more! This is a momentous Homecoming & Family Weekend you don't want to miss!

 

Whether a pilot or a not, all are invited to join us for this very special event at the Abbott Aviation Center for the morning of Saturday, October 5th.  Enjoy the STING Pancake Breakfast, a tour of the Abbott Aviation facility.  This is one event you don't want to miss!

The STING Pancake Breakfast proceeds go to support our student precision flight team in their regional and national competitions this year. ($10/person)

 

Go Kart RacesFollowing on recent successful Go Kart events, the Automotive Society will once again be hosting the go kart races during Homecoming & Family Weekend.  Alumni, students, faculty, and staff are invited to participate in open and stock class competitions.  Qualifying races will take place during the afternoon of Friday, October 4, with race finals occurring on the afternoon of Saturday, October 5.

Registration now open.  Race rules, regulations and registration information available by clicking below:

RACE REGISTRATION

 

Join us for a guest lecture of the Faith, Science, and Technology Institute at LeTourneau University, as we welcome alumnus Dr. Joshua Brake sharing A Redemptive Vision for A.I.: What We Believe Shapes What, How, and Why We Build.  

WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

  • Thursday, Oct 3
    • Prayer in Speer Chapel 
    • Academy of Engineering & Engineering Technology Banquet
  • Friday, Oct 4
    • Croissants and Christian Identity (Breakfast)
    • Insights and Innovation (Academic Tours)
    • Homecoming Chapel
    • Golden Jacket Luncheon - Class of 1974 Reunion!
    • Plants, Pioneers, and Pathbreakers (bus tour)
    • Build with Purpose Campaign Kickoff (Belcher Center)
    • Dinner on the Mall w/ live music by The Purple Hulls
    •  
  • Saturday, Oct 5
    • Planes & Pancakes at Abbott Center
      • STING Pancake Breakfast
      • Abbott Aviation Center Tours
      • Roger Carr Celebration
    • Build with Purpose Campaign - Learn More
      Decommissioning of MSC
    • Rugby Game
    • Legacy Giving Workshop Luncheon
      Bodacious Bar-B-Q 
      Fun at the Pond with Cardboard Boat Races and Rope Pull
    • Go Kart Finals (Qualifiers are Friday afternoon) and so much more! 

Register Banner

To register for this year's Homecoming & Family Weekend, please click below:
 
Problems opening registration? Click here to register.
Questions? Please contact our Alumni Relations Team: 903-233-3840.

Check out this invitation from Dr. Terry Zeitlow to find out more:

Edit Registration banner

Need to make changes to your Homecoming & Family Weekend registration?
If so, click below:

 

EDIT REGISTRATION

 

The Auto Society is sponsoring this Fall's Go-Kart races during Homecoming & Family Weekend.  

Students, alumni, faculty, and staff are invited to participate by entering a kart in either the Stock or Open class (see below) and/or sponsoring a team to enter.

Race Classes:

  • Stock Class: either a Predator 212cc engine OR a Briggs & Stratton 206cc engine
  • Open Class: Up to 250cc four-cycle OR 125cc two-cycle engine OR up to a 5 Kilowatt rated electric motor
  • NOTE: Go karts must adhere to the race regulations as specified here.

 

Race Times:

  • Time Trials: Friday, Oct 4, 1:30-4:30pm
  • Heats & Final Races: Saturday, Oct 5, 2:30-5:00pm

 

How to Register:

Teams planning to compete in the races will register to compete via the Homecoming & Family Weekend registration form.  Only ONE registration is required per team.  Registration is $40/team.

 When registering, look for "Would you like to register a go-kart in the Auto Society Go Kart Races?" underneath "Weekend Events".  Click on "Yes" to begin completing the registration portion for the Go-Kart races.

 How to Register for Races

Race Rules

Auto Society logo

Questions?

Contact the Auto Society at: letourneauautosociety@gmail.com

 

April 2022 Races

Photo Gallery

tile-image-kart-races.jpeg

 

VIDEO: April 2022 Open Class Final Race Highlight

 

Students and alumni are invited to participate in this year's Cardboard Boat Races.  There are two categories:

  • Pre-Build: Enjoy time to build your boat in advance of the races. (Team provides own supplies.)
    • Two Prize Categories: Fastest ($200 cash prize) and Best Design ($200 cash prize)
  • Speed Build: Spend 3 hours the day of the races building your boat with your team. (All supplies provided.)
    • Two Prize Categories: Fastest ($100 cash prize) and Best Design ($100 cash prize).

The races will be held at 1:30 pm on Saturday, October 5th.  Click here to view race rules and regulations.

Boat Races

How to Register

To register a team for the boat races, you'll register for Homecoming Weekend.

 Register for Homecoming Weekend

Select at least one LETU student or one adult in your registration. NOTE: Only one member of each team needs to register for the races.

 Homecoming Banner

The first screen, after clicking continue above, will provide opportunities for more information related to Go-Kart Races, the Homecoming Fly-In, AND the Cardboard Boat Races.  Click on "Cardboard Boat Races" for race rules and to register for whichever category you plan to compete in.  Complete the rest of your Homecoming Registration and hit submit to secure your place as one of the race teams.

Boat Race Registration - Step 2

Schedule

THURSDAY

Registration and check-in available from 11am-4pm in the Allen Family Student Center.  [Campus Map]

Alumni-in-Action | Thursday & Friday
Alumni are invited to share about their story of walking with Christ, their professional experience, or both through giving classroom devos, presentations, Q&A's, and/or panels with other alumni.  Indicate your interest to participate in this way when registering - and make plans to join us for the Alumni-in-Action dinner Thursday evening.

11:00am: Community Prayer | Speer Chapel 
Led by Campus Pastor Dr. Pat Mays and LSM student leaders, take advantage this opportunity to gather with others to pray for LeTourneau University. 

11:00am: Faith, Science, & Technology Seminar | C101, Berry 
Alumnus Dr. Joshua Brake, "A Redemptive Vision for A.I.: What We Believe Shapes What, How, and Why We Build"

 2:00pm: Meet & Greet | Allen Family Student Center Commons Area | Free
Reconnect with fellow alumni and fellow parents in the Allen Family Student Center.

5:00pm: Academy of Engineering & Engineering Technology Banquet | Great Room, Allen Family Student Center | $75
Since 2018, the Academy of Engineering and Engineering Technology has recognized Engineering alumni who are leaders in their respective fields and disciplines. (Seat availability is limited.)

5-10pm: A Planetarium Field Trip | Stephen F. Austin University 
Contact AmyStevenson@letu.edu and joing the caravan to SFA for 3 shows: The Birth of Planet Earth, Solar Superstorms, & Journey to the Stars.  Cost is $10.

6:00pm: Alumni-in-Action Dinner | Corner Cafe | Free
Are you taking part in the Alumni-in-Action sharing in classes on Thursday or Friday? Then make plans to join our Alumni Advisory Council for dinner - a great way to connect and our way to say thank you for giving back to LeTourneau during your time on campus!

 

FRIDAY

Registration and check-in available from 9am-4pm in Allen Family Student Center.

 

Alumni-in-Action | Thursday & Friday
Alumni are invited to share about their story of walking with Christ, their professional experience, or both through giving classroom devos, presentations, Q&A's, and/or panels with other alumni.  Indicate your interest to participate in this way when registering.

8:30am: Breakfast with the President | Tent, Lawn (East of Allen Family Student Center) | $15 
Join President Steven Mason and Dr. Terry Zeitlow as they share a "tour from the tent" covering LeTourneau's students, legacy, and God's sovereign and gracious hand in accomplishing our mission. 

10:35am: Homecoming Chapel | Belcher Center | Free 
Worship, celebrate, and be encouraged in your faith as we join together for this year's alumni-led Homecoming & Family Weekend. 

 11:45am: Golden Jackets Luncheon | Great Room, Allen Family Student Center | $15 
Celebrating the 50th Reunion of our Class of 1974 with a celebration and induction into the Golden Jackets. Attendees are invited to participate in a special R.G. LeTourneau and Komatsu bus tour following the lunch. (Livestream available.)

Class of 1974 alumni: please click here to submit your information for the celebration.

 1:00pm-4:00pm: Go-Kart Race Time Trial Laps | Glaske Labs
Carrying on a legacy that began in the 1970s, come cheer on this year's go kart teams as they race for their placement in Saturday's qualifying races.

 4:30pm: Build with Purpose Campaign Kickoff| Belcher Auditorium | 

 5:45 pm: Dinner on the Mall  | Allen Family Student Center Patio | 
Join us for a celebration on the campus mall, complete with games, food, and festive fun! Grab friends and play a round of corn hole, sit down and catch up with longtime friends, or enjoy one of a variety of fun activities and food as our alumni, families, students, staff, and faculty come together to celebrate! Food provided.  Live music by The Purple Hulls.

7:30pm: Baseball Home Run Derby | Conrad Vernon Field

Schedule

SATURDAY

Registration and check-in available from 10am-11am in the Allen Family Student Center.

 

Planes & Pancakes

8:30am: STING Pancake Breakfast | Abbott Aviation Center | $10
Support LeTourneau University's Precision Flight team and their competitions through the year by participating in this beloved annual favorite!

 

8:30am: Abbott Aviation Center Tours | Abbott Aviation Center | Free
Take a tour of the Abbott Aviation Center, including the recent R.G. plane display. Tours offered every half hour, on the half hour. Last tour begins at 10:00am.

10:30am: Build with Purpose Campaign - Learn More | Great Room, Allen Family Student Center | Free
Did anything about the Campaign Kickoff spark your interest?  Come learn more about the campaign priorities!  (Livestream available.)

11:00am: Drone Races | Field East of the Pond (Tentative)

Campaign Highlight

11:45am: Decommissioning of MSC 
We'll say a special goodbye to the R.G. LeTourneau Memorial and Student Center as we make way for an extraordinary new building that will take its place. 

12:00 pm: Men's Rugby LETU vs. UTD | South Pitch Rugby Field The LeTourneau Men's Rugby Team will be competing in their last home match of the year against the University of Texas at Dallas this Saturday, 12 PM at the South Pitch Rugby Field, located behind the softball field. Come out and support the Rugby team!


12:30 pm: LeTourneau Legacy Planning Workshop Luncheon | Great Room, Allen Family Student Center | Free 
Led by Foundation President Tom Bevan, the LeTourneau University Foundation is committed to serving you our alumni and friends in and with their all-important estate and legacy planning needs – your most important act of stewardship! With many years of assembled experience on the Foundation’s team - helping individuals and families just like you in this important area, the LeTourneau University Foundation can help you assure that your life story of obedience and faith and God’s faithfulness in return (your legacy!), is one that, becomes an inspiring and powerful motivation to those who will follow in your footsteps.

12:00 - 2:00pm: Bodacious Bar-B-Q | Tent East of AFSC | $15 adult, $7.50 child
Mingle with others as you enjoy some of the best Barb-B-Q in Longview!  Feel free to take your meal indoors into the air-conditioned Great Room for the free legacy planning workshop!

 1:30pm: Cardboard Boat Races & Intersociety Rope Pull | The Pond | Free 

Alumni, parents, and students are invited to join the campus community for activities around the pond!  Come cheer for your team and build some great memories during these classic competitions.


Click here to view Boat Race Rules. Alumni are invited to field an alumni team or join a student team in the speed build context, or join with students, staff, or faculty on the pre-build contest. Floors, societies, and clubs encouraged to field a team in the competition.

Campaign Highlight

1:30-4:30pm: Campaign Showcase | Commons, Allen Family Student Center | Free 
Stop in to peruse the tables set up in the Commons.  Learn more about the academic endeavors of our students and enjoy soft-serve ice cream!

2:30pm: Go-Kart Qualifying & Final Races | Glaske Labs | Free 
Come cheer on our student and alumni go-kart teams in the finals for this Fall's races.  Sponsored by the Automotive Society.

4:30pm: Alumni Baseball Game | Conrad Vernon Field | Free 

5:30pm: Reunion Dinners 

7:00pm:Auto Society - "New" Building is 40 years old!

7:00pm: Night Sky Watch Party | Basketball Pavilion | Free
Take in the incredible night sky via LETU's high powered telescopes with our Astrophysics program in this special Night Sky Watch Party.  Lunar viewing from 7-8pm and Saturn viewing from 8-9pm.  

Below are answers to some of the most common questions we receive. Feel free to reach out to our Alumni Office if you have questions that are not answered below (903-233-3840, alumni@letu.edu).

  1. Why is Homecoming & Family Weekend in October, rather than April?
    Our goal for Homecoming & Family Weekend is two-fold: (1) connecting our alumni with one another and (2) welcoming our new students and their families into the LeTourneau community.  A Fall Homecoming moves us away from the weather problems of "April showers" and provides an opportunity for our new students and families to connect with the LeTourneau community much earlier in their year.

  2. What about Hootenanny?
    Don't worry! Hootenanny Weekend, with the talent and variety Hootenanny Show, will still take place in the Spring, as it has every year for nearly 50 years! Two opportunities to connect with alumni, family, and students provides twice the fun!

  3. How do I register for Homecoming & Family Weekend?
    Click on the "Registration" tab above (or select it from the drop-down menu on a mobile device).  You can then register for each individual in your group there. 

  4. I've registered, but need to make changes to my registration.  How do I do that? 
    You can use the edit link included in your confirmation email, click here to search for your registration and make changes, or give our Alumni Relations Team a call and we can help you make those changes over the phone (903-233-3840).

  5. What is the cost for attending Homecoming & Family Weekend?
    Most of the weekend's events are free.  There are a number of events that help raise money for student groups (i.e. 5K Buzz Run, STING Pancake Breakfast), as well as a handful of specific events serving food and coast money (i.e. Breakfast with the President, Golden Jackets Luncheon, banquets, etc.).  Whether or not you are attending a paid event, please register so that we can plan for you and plan accordingly so that all can enjoy a great weekend together.  If you are not registering for any paid events, the registration process is automatically streamlined.

  6. I am a 1974 graduate and celebrating my 50th Reunion this year. Where do I complete the Golden Jacket Response form?
    We are so excited to celebrate you and celebrate with you as part of our 50th Anniversary Reunion.  Please click here to complete the online form for the Golden Jacket Reunion.

  7. Who can compete in Saturday's Boat Races? What is the prize?
    Current students and alumni are invited to participate in the boat races on Saturday.  The build and design contest, with (2) two $200 prizes, is for students only (though alumni are welcome to sponsor teams).  The speed build context, with (2) two $100 prizes, is open to both alumni and student teams, as well as teams that combine students, alumni, and/or faculty. Register to participate in the boat races when registering for Homecoming (on the "Just for You" tab). Click here to view the rules.

  8. Does the university have a list of local hotel accommodation?
    Yes! LeTourneau University has secured special pricing at several hotels in Longview and surrounding areas. If you're staying at one of these properties, simply mention that you will be visiting LeTourneau University and would like the discount rate.

  9. What airports are nearby?
    While Gregg County Regional Airport is minutes from campus - and home to our Abbot Aviation Center - there are a number of airports within a few hours drive: Shreveport Regional Airport, Dallas Love Field, Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, and Houston's George Bush Airport.  Find out more information on these nearby airports and rental car options by clicking here.

  10. Which groups are holding reunions during Homecoming & Family Weekend?
    Do you know of alumni planning a reunion for a different group? We're here to help! Contact us at alumni@letu.edu or 903-233-3840.