Stonehill Reimagining Signature Campus Events
The College will make exciting new changes to Academic Convocation, the Opening Mass of the Holy Spirit and Homecoming during the fall 2026 semester.
Since its founding nearly 80 years ago, Stonehill College has cultivated many vibrant community traditions. Among them are Academic Convocation, an annual ceremony marking the beginning of the academic year; the Opening Mass of the Holy Spirit, which brings the community together in prayer as classes begin each fall; and Homecoming, a celebration of Stonehill pride featuring a variety of fun events.
As the College continues moving toward a bright future, so too do these beloved programs. During the fall 2026 semester, Stonehill will reimagine each of them, while maintaining the sense of history, community and compassion that have defined them for generations.
As is tradition, 2025 Louise F. Hegarty Award for Excellence in Teaching recipient Leon Tilley will address the campus community at Convocation 2026. Tilley is pictured here with Vice President for Academic Affairs Peter Ubertaccio (left) and President John Denning, C.S.C. (right), at Convocation 2025.
Day of Scholarship & Faith 2026
As part of the second annual Day of Scholarship & Faith, set to take place on Thursday, August 27, 2026, the College will combine the Opening Mass of the Holy Spirit and Academic Convocation into a unified Convocation Mass.
“Bringing these celebrations together reflects something about the life of Stonehill College: that our intellectual and spiritual traditions are not separate pursuits but deeply connected dimensions of a shared mission,” Vice President for Academic Affairs Peter Ubertaccio said.
For the first time, Stonehill staff members will join faculty and alumni during the traditional Convocation procession. They will march under their own banner in recognition of the vital role they play in advancing the institution and supporting students.
Additionally, the celebration is expanding to include the entire student body. Building upon the longstanding tradition of presenting the first-year and senior class pins, as well as the introduction of the graduate student pin in recent years, sophomores and juniors will now receive their own pins. Sophomores will receive an anchor pin inspired by the symbol long associated with the Congregation of Holy Cross. Juniors will receive a Lux et Spes pin, drawn from Stonehill’s enduring motto, “Light and Hope.”
“These additions help create a fuller four-year arc of belonging, identity and formation for our students,” Ubertaccio said.
Visit here for more information about Day of Scholarship & Faith 2026.
Homecoming Weekend will bring together all members of the campus community, human, canine and mascot alike.
Homecoming Weekend 2026
This fall, Stonehill’s annual Homecoming celebration is expanding from a single-day event into an entire weekend full of activities. The festivities will take place Friday, November 6, through Sunday, November 8.
The reimagined schedule will include a golf tournament at Easton Country Club, a campus bonfire and a tailgate featuring DJ Mikey V from Kiss 108 (and the Class of 2010). Additional activities will be announced soon.
“We are excited about this expanded campus-wide event, a weekend-long celebration that will provide an opportunity for the entire community to come together and celebrate all that we love about Stonehill,” said Senior Associate Director of Alumni Engagement Jennifer Silva ’93.
The decision to revamp Homecoming reflects the College’s commitment to strengthening community engagement among current students while also continuing to emphasize opportunities for alumni to reconnect with their Stonehill roots during the event.
“Our students are the future, and our alumni are the legacy, Homecoming is the ideal way to bring everyone together to celebrate our shared experiences, values and connections to our alma mater,” Silva said.
Visit here for more information about Homecoming Weekend 2026.
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