- Welcome
- Registration
- Go Kart Races
- Cardboard Boat Races
- Schedule
- FAQ
Join us for a very special Homecoming & Family Weekend featuring special events, including Go-Kart Races, a special Aviation fly-in, the Academy of Engineering & Engineering Technology, Acousticafe, Cardboard Boat Races, Rope Pull and more! With traditional favorites and wonderful new events, this is one Homecoming & Family Weekend you don't want to miss!
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 new Freshmen students and their families, our alumni, and our entire student body and their families.
Fly into Gregg County Airport in your personal or corporate aircraft and join other planes, both private and corporate, for a very special LETU fly-in. Pilots are invited to fly in Wed, Thur, or Friday (early Saturday morning possible with special permission) to join us for the weekend and Saturday morning's special "Planes & Pancakes" event at the Abbott Aviation Center. In addition to the beloved STING Pancake Breakfast - this year we celebrate 20 years of NIFA Precision Flight competition, there'll be an opportunity to tour the flight line, connect with other pilots, and enjoy viewing the planes that have flown in for the weekend.
Information for pilots: Tie-downs will be available either in the grass or on the tarmac. Pilots asked ot bring anchors for ground anchoring, if appropriate. LETU Dispatch will be in place Saturday afternoon and Sunday for departures.
Register to participate when you register for Homecoming & Family Weekend.
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 1st. Enjoy the STING Pancake Breakfast, a tour of the Abbott Aviation facility, and walk the flight-line and enjoy viewing the personal, corporate, and historic aircraft that have flown in for the weekend. 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)
Following on Spring 2022's success, the Automotive Society will once again be hosting the go-kart spring 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, September 30, with race finals occurring on the afternoon of Saturday, October 1.
Registration now open. Race rules, regulations and registration information available by clicking below:
Join us for the inaugural lecture of the Faith, Science, and Technology Institute at LeTourneau University, as we welcome Dr. Derek Schuurman, Professor of Computer Science at Calvin University. Dr. Shuurman is the author of A Christian Field Guide to Technology for Engineers & Designers.
WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:
- Thursday, Sep 29
- LeTourneau University Foundation Luncheon
- Academy of Engineering & Engineering Technology Banquet
- Faith, Science, & Technology Guest Lecturer
- Friday, Sep 30
- Breakfast with the President
- YellowJacket Open House with our Admissions Team - register here!
- Homecoming Chapel
Golden Jacket Luncheon - 50th Year Reunion!
Campus and Lab Tours
Acousticafe, sponsored by YellowJacket Activities Committee
- Saturday, Oct 1
- Planes & Pancakes at Abbott Center
- STING Pancake Breakfast
- Fly-In & Flight Line Tours
- Abbott Aviation Center Tours
- Bodacious BBQ Picnic
- Fun at the Pond with Cardboard Boat Races and Rope Pull
- Go-Kart Finals (Qualifiers are Friday afternoon)
Athletics Hall of Fame Banquet
- Planes & Pancakes at Abbott Center
- Sunday, Oct 2
- Sunday Worship in Speer Chapel
- Sunday Family Brunch
- TobyMac Concert
- and so much more!
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.
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, Sep 30, 1:30-4:30pm
- Heats & Final Races: Saturday, Oct 1, 1:30-5:00pm
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 $30/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.
Race Rules
Questions?
Contact the Auto Society at: letourneauautosociety@gmail.com
April 2022 Races
Photo Gallery
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 1pm on Saturday, October 1st. Click here to view race rules and regulations.
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.
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.
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 - and make plans to join us for the Alumni-in-Action dinner Thursday evening.
8:30am: Breakfast with the President | Great Room, Allen Family Student Center | $15
Join Dr. Steven Mason, our newly appointed 7th president, as he shares a report about LeTourneau, our students, our legacy, and the mission God has called this university to. (Livestream available.)
9:30am: YellowJacket Admissions Preview Day | Admissions Office, Allen Family Student Center | Free
Prospective students and families are invited to a preview event hosted by the Office of Admissions. Let Admissions know you’ll be joining them by registering here.
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. (Livestream available.)
11:45am: Golden Jackets Luncheon | Great Room, Allen Family Student Center | $15
Celebrating the 50th Reunion of our Class of 1972 with a celebration and induction into the Golden Jackets. Attendees are invited to participate in a special R.G. LeTourneau and LeTourneau Inc. bus tour following the lunch. (Livestream available.)
Class of 1972 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.
3:30pm: Campus & Lab Tours | Free
Has it been a while since you've been back to campus? Enjoy a tour of campus with 1987 graduate and VP of Alumni Relations & Development - and LETU record-holding basketball player - Dr. Terry Zeitlow. Interested in learning more about our Aviation, Engineering or Nursing programs? Join their respective Deans for a visit and tour their labs!
5:00pm: Cookout on the Mall | Allen Family Student Center Patio | $15
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 by The Butcher Shop.
7:18pm: Acousticafe | Allen Family Student Center Patio
Enjoy an evening of music with student musicians and bands. Sponsored by YellowJacket Activity Council (YAC).
SATURDAYRegistration and check-in available from 10am-12pm in the Allen Family Student Center.
7:30am: Buzz Run 5K | Solheim Center | $25 adults, $10 students |
Planes & Pancakes8:00am: STING Pancake Breakfast | Abbott Aviation Center | $10
8:00am: Airplane & Flight Line Tours | Abbott Aviation Center | Free
8:30am: Abbott Aviation Center Tours | Abbott Aviation Center | Free |
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11:30am: Picnic at the Pond | The Pavilion | $10 adult, $5 child
1:00pm: Cardboard Boat Races & Intersociety Rope Pull | The Pond | Free
1:00pm: LETU vs Concordia | Joyce Family Athletic Village | Free
2:00pm: Go-Kart Qualifying & Final Races | Glaske Labs | Free
3:00pm: LETU vs Concordia | Joyce Family Athletic Village | Free
6:00pm: LETU Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet | Great Room, Allen Student Center | $25
8:00pm: Night Sky Watch Party | Basketball Pavilion | Free
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SUNDAY
No registration is available Sunday.
10am: Worship Celebration | Speer Chapel | Reservation Required
Join together for a special time of worship and hearing from God's Word in the historic Speer Chapel, the only remaining structure from Harmon General Hospital. Please reserve your seat when registering.
12p: Sunday Family Lunch | Corner Cafe | $10
Join together with fellow alumni, students, family, and friends for lunch in the Corner Cafe.
7pm: TobyMac Concert | Belcher Center | Prices Vary, Limited Tickets Remaining
Finish off the weekend with award winning artist TobyMac. Tickets must be purchased separately at BelcherCenter.com.
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).
- Why is Homecoming & Family Weekend in September, 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. - 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! - 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. - 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). - 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. - I am a 1972 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. - 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. - 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. - 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. - 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.
