Upper Iowa University - Alumni & Friends

10/11/2026

🦚 A WEEK TO REMEMBER, PEACOCKS! 💙

That’s a wrap on “Saddle Up, Peacocks” Homecoming 2026! What a WEEK filled with Peacock Pride, hometown spirit, unforgettable memories, and plenty of reasons to celebrate! From cowboy hats to campus traditions, we made this one for the books. Here are just a few highlights! 👇

👑 ROYALTY & RECOGNITION

Congratulations to our 2026 Homecoming King & Queen, Gunnar Sims and Haylie Hutchinson!

A big yeehaw to Kaisha Marie Photography, winner of the Fayette Chamber’s downtown decorating contest! 📸

We proudly honored our newest Alumni Award recipients:
🦚 Jenni (Northrop) Thompson ’02 & ’10 – Service to University Award
🦚 Bridget Adam ’02 – Service to Community Award
🦚 Keela Johnson ’99 – Professional Accomplishment Award
🦚 Brandy Deshay Willingham ’20 – Emerging Alumni Award
🦚 Charles Callahan ’10 – Service to Country Award

The elegant “Night of the Peacocks” Homecoming Ball celebrated our 2026 Hall of Fame honorees: Don Erickson ’06, Carl Broghammer ’14, Don Erickson ’91, and Whitney (Kieffer) Hopp ’15. 🏆

🤠 COWBOY HATS, DANCING & HOMECOMING FUN

Our Paint & Sip: Western Edition SOLD OUT, with 35 DIY cowboy hats created! 👒

The Welcome Home Dinner & Line Dancing brought a packed house and plenty of boot-scootin’ fun! 💃

Grand Marshals John & Sharon Orr led our lively parade through town and the tailgate area.

The All-Class Alumni Mixer and Alumni House Tailgate Parties were rocking with Peacock Pride! Special thanks to Peggy Owens and North & Lace for their out-of-this-world food and desserts! 😋

The Experiential Learning Showcase put our incredible ExcEL students and their achievements in the spotlight!

🏐⛳🏈 PEACOCKS SHOWED UP & SHOWED OUT!

Volleyball victories over Clarke (3-1) and William Jewell (3-0)! 💪

Another terrific Homecoming Golf Outing, led by the Foxes & SOBs, raised more than $13,000 for the Peacock Athletic Fund! ⛳

And what a finish! Peacock Football edged Truman 21–19 in a thrilling Homecoming victory! 🏈

🎉 HOCO RAFFLE WINNERS — CONGRATULATIONS!
A big congratulations to our lucky winners!

🎁 Jann Henkes – Peacock VIP Party at Dorman
🎁 Tony Foster – Harms-Eischeid Stadium Suite Fan Pack
🎁 Aaron Stevvens – Fayette Campus Canvas Print
🎁 Calandra Schumacher – Peacock Fan Favorites
🎁 Jacon Stock – UIU Campus Store Gift Basket
🎁 Kelly Gilmore – Peacock Athletics Swag Bag
🎁 Chris Kragnes – Dinner Party for Four with the Frankens
🎁 Andrew Oberbreckling - UIU Wedgewood China

💙🎉 AND NOW, THE BIG NEWS… WE DID IT! 🎉💙

Our Homecoming Fundraiser goal of $150,000 was not only REACHED — IT WAS EXCEEDED! 🎉

🙌 This incredible accomplishment reflects the generosity, enthusiasm, and unwavering support of our amazing Peacock family.

From our alumni and students to employees, volunteers, sponsors, and community friends — THANK YOU ALL for making Homecoming 2026 one to remember! 🦚

📸 The memories keep coming! More photos will be added to our Flickr album, so keep checking back!

👉 https://www.flickr.com/photos/upperiowauniversity/albums/72177720336002715

10/08/2026

🦚 THE HOCO RAFFLE IS BAAACCKKK! 🤩

And this year, we’re bringing the WOW FACTOR! Get in the running to win one of our jaw-dropping Homecoming raffle baskets, packed with Peacock pride, VIP game-day experiences, party-ready goodies, signature gifts and MORE! Baskets are valued at up to $525!

🎟️ 1 ticket = $5 | 5 tickets = $20 | Arm’s Length (about 35 tickets) = $50
You choose which basket(s) you want to enter, so pick your favorites and get those tickets in!

Tickets are available online or at the Alumni Office (we’ll fill out your tickets on your behalf), Thursday’s Welcome Home Dinner, Friday’s Alumni Association Meet & Greet or Homecoming Ball, and Saturday’s Alumni Awards & Honor Class Breakfast and Alumni House Tailgate Party.

🥳 Drawing will take place on Saturday, October 10, at 12:30 p.m. during the Alumni House Tailgate Party. Need not be present to win! Must be 21+ to purchase.

🎟️ GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY: go.uiu.edu/HocoRaffleSM

10/08/2026

10/06/2026

Homecoming looks better with a little Peacock pride. 🤠💙

Grab your 2026 Homecoming gear at the Campus Store and get ready for the rest of Homecoming week! 🦚

Homecoming Store Hours:
Wednesday: 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Thursday: 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m.–7 p.m.
Saturday: 7:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
🏈 Stadium Store: 1 p.m.–end of the 3rd quarter
Sunday: 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

Can't make it to campus? Shop online at shop.uiu.edu.

10/05/2026

Homecoming Week is underway, and we've got the perfect evening set to kick off the festivities for our entire Peacock family and community members!

Make your way to the Peacock Pavilion tailgate area and join us for the Fayette Campus BBQ, a picnic-style meal with all of your favorite BBQ classics! 🔥🍴

Don't forget to bring a lawn chair or blanket to relax for the delicious meal and mingle with your fellow Peacocks!🩵

Meals are available for purchase, and students may use their meal swipe.

Stick around for the Pep Rally, and let's cheer on the Homecoming Court as the exciting announcement of our 2026 King & Queen will take place, followed by a bonfire for all to enjoy! 👑

🦚 For the complete Homecoming Schedule of Events or to RSVP, visit go.uiu.edu/Homecoming!

10/05/2026

We’re teeing up one more incredible addition to the Homecoming Ball “Night of the Peacocks” Live Auction lineup: the Peacock Golf Package! ⛳🦚

This package is a hole-in-one for golfers of all skill levels! Round up your favorite foursome and make plans to hit the links at the 32nd Annual Peacock Golf Classic on June 11, 2027. 🏌️‍♂️

Ramping up the wow factor, the lucky auction winner will also take home a one-of-a-kind custom Upper Iowa putter and Peacock-branded golf balls, the perfect additions to your golf bag or a memorable keepsake to display with Peacock pride. 💙

This incredible package can be yours at the Homecoming Ball “Night of the Peacocks” on Friday, October 9, at 5 p.m. in the Fayette Campus Student Center Ballroom!

🎟️ Registration closes Monday at noon. Grab your tickets, gather your crew, and join us for a night to remember!

👉 GO.UIU.EDU/HCBALL

10/04/2026

We’re proud to showcase another standout item headed to the Homecoming Ball “Night of the Peacocks” Live Auction! 🦚

This vintage metal Peacock is more than décor; it’s a collectible statement piece with plenty of character and old-school charm. Perfect for an indoor or outdoor space, its vibrant colors, intricate craftsmanship, and unmistakable personality make it a true one-of-a-kind find that will catch the attention of all your friends and family! 🤩

We can’t wait to see this beauty take center stage at the “Night of the Peacocks” Homecoming Ball on Friday, October 9, at 5 p.m. in the Fayette Campus Student Center Ballroom!

⏰ Everyone is welcome, but don’t miss your chance to purchase tickets! Registration closes tomorrow at noon. GO.UIU.EDU/HCBALL

10/04/2026

The Homecoming Ball “Night of the Peacocks” live auction is stepping up to the plate with another fantastic experience! ⚾🧢

Get ready to root for the Cubbies at historic Wrigley Field on Saturday, June 12, as the Chicago Cubs take on the Colorado Rockies. It’s the perfect package for any baseball fan, so don’t strike out on this one!

The Homecoming Ball is shaping up to be one unforgettable night of celebration, recognition, entertainment, and LIVELY FUN on Friday, October 9, at 5 p.m. in the Fayette Campus Student Center Ballroom!

🎟️ Haven’t secured your tickets yet? What are you waiting for? Registration closes tomorrow at noon! GO.UIU.EDU/HCBALL