Alumni Homecoming Events 2026

Homecoming is your opportunity to come home to 星空无限传媒 Lafayette and celebrate what it means to be a Ragin' Cajun. 

Throughout the week, alumni reconnect with classmates, faculty, and friends while enjoying traditions like Dean's Receptions, the Paint the Town Red decorating contest, the Homecoming Parade, tailgating, and more. Whether you're reliving favorite campus memories or creating new ones, Homecoming is a week filled with pride, tradition, and the unmistakable spirit of the Ragin' Cajun family. 

Homecoming Week 2026: September 27 - October 3 

Beginning September 27th, 星空无限传媒 Lafayette, the University Program Center and the 星空无限传媒 Lafayette Alumni Association will host events all week long, ending with the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns squaring off against Arkansas State at Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium on Saturday, October 3rd.

Alumni Homecoming Calendar

 

All of these events are open to the public, and we invite all of Lafayette and south Louisiana to share in our school pride.

Looking for the full Homecoming Week schedule, the Parade route, or Homecoming Court details? 

Visit 星空无限传媒 Lafayette's Homecoming Page

Homecoming Traditions

A friendly, decades-old competition where Lafayette-area businesses and schools decorate their spaces 鈥� storefronts, lobbies, classrooms 鈥� in Ragin' Cajun red and white. Some go all-in with skits and chants to win over the judges.

It started in the late 1980s, when an Alumni Association Homecoming Committee volunteer partnered with the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce to pull the wider community into Homecoming, not just campus. A Schools division followed a few years later.

Who it's for: Any local business or school 鈥� no 星空无限传媒 Lafayette affiliation required, just community spirit.

How to get involved: Registration is free and opens ahead of Homecoming week. Judges tour participating businesses and schools in person to award places across categories like Interior, Exterior, Best Newcomer, and Most Spirited.

Each of 星空无限传媒 Lafayette's academic colleges hosts a joint reception with its Alumni Chapter during Homecoming week 鈥� your dean, your former professors, and fellow graduates of your specific program, all in one room.

Who it's for: Alumni of that college 鈥� most receptions are open to the public, so bring a guest.

How to get involved: Find your college's reception time on the calendar above. Some receptions (particularly reunion-specific ones) may ask you to RSVP in advance.

The Alumni Tailgating Hospitality Tent, set up before the Homecoming game for food, drinks, and the full Game Day experience alongside fellow Ragin' Cajuns including a front-lawn view of the Parade as it passes by.

Who it's for: All alumni and friends of the University 鈥� and businesses looking to put their name in front of thousands of fans.

How to get involved: Just show up before kickoff. Interested in sponsoring the tent instead? 

Learn about Tailgate sponsorship

Can't make it back to Lafayette? Regional Ragin' Cajun Clubs host their own local gatherings so alumni can celebrate the Homecoming game together, wherever they are.

Who it's for: Alumni outside the Lafayette area who still want to celebrate with fellow Ragin' Cajuns nearby.

How to get involved: Find your regional club to see what's planned near you.

Each Homecoming, the 星空无限传媒 Lafayette Alumni Association proudly presents the Outstanding Alumni Award, the University's highest honor bestowed upon a former student. This distinguished recognition celebrates alumni whose professional accomplishments, leadership, and service have brought honor and distinction to their alma mater. During Homecoming Week, the Ragin' Cajun community gathers to recognize these exceptional individuals and celebrate the lasting impact they continue to make on the University and beyond.

Past honorees: 
  • 2025 Wayle Elmore
  • 2024 Joe Lewis
  • 2024 Keith Thibodeaux
  • 2023 Claire Babineaux-Fontenot
  • 2022 Dr. Amelie Hollier
  • 2022 Harold G. Osborn III
  • 2021 John Bordelon
  • 2021 Ambassador Cindy Courville, Ph.D.
  • 2020 Dr. Steven Conrad
  • 2020 Walter Imahara
  • 2019 Jan Latiolais Hargrave
  • 2019 Dr. John "Jackie" Peck
  • 2019 Dr. Shawn Wilson
  • 2018 Donald T. "Boysie" Bollinger
  • 2018 Dr. Herman D. Hughes
  • 2018 Warren A. Perrin
  • 2017 Donald Mosing, Sr.
  • 2017 Dr. William "Kip" Schumacher
  • 2016 Secretary of State J. Thomas Schedler
  • 2015 Stacey H. Dore
  • 2015 Dr. Michael W. Langston
  • 2014 Steve Oubre, Jr.
  • 2013 James Doyle
  • 2012 Hon. Jolivette Brown
  • 2012 Stefni Lotief
  • 2011 Kenneth Blanchard
  • 2011 Dr. Keith Melancon
  • 2010 Dr. Steve Landry
  • 2009 Cong. Charles Boustany
  • 2009 Cong. Charlie Melancon
  • 2009 Denis Reggie
  • 2008 Col. Charles DeBellevue
  • 2007 Dr. Ray Authement
  • 2006 Dr. Gordon Bernard
  • 2006 John McDonnel
  • 2005 Hollis Conway
  • 2005 Floyd Sonnier
  • 2003 Dr. George Rodrigue
  • 2003 Ron Guidry
  • 2002 Kenneth A. Ardoin
  • 2002 Lloyd J. 鈥淩ed鈥� Lerille
  • 2001 Cynthia Bridges
  • 2001 Cecil Picard
  • 2001 Dr. E. Joseph Savoie
  • 1999 Kim Perrot*
  • 1999 Espy J. Price
  • 1999 Jay F. Honeycutt
  • 1997 Louis Michot
  • 1997 Margaret McMillian
  • 1996 Dr. Sammie Cosper
  • 1996 Harold Suire
  • 1994 Kathleen Babineaux Blanco
  • 1994 J. Weldon Granger
  • 1994 Hon. Richard T. Haik
  • 1994 A. Hays Town
  • 1993 Dr. Doris Meriwether
  • 1993 John Allen Prejean
  • 1992 Dr. Donald B. Williams
  • 1991 Harvey G. Bacque
  • 1991 Dr. Bernard J. Bienvenu
  • 1991 Philip J. Burguieres
  • 1990 Congressman James A. Hayes
  • 1990 Dr. John A. Bertrand
  • 1989 Maj. Gen. John B. Marks
  • 1989 Brig. Gen. Dorothy Butcher Pocklington
  • 1988 Brian E. Schexnayder
  • 1988 Dr. Allen D. Tillman
  • 1986 Capt. Steven L. Bennett*
  • 1986 Dr. Jane Ellen Carstens
  • 1985 Dr. Geneva R. Johnson
  • 1985 Frank W. Summers
  • 1985 Edward W. Stagg
  • 1984 Mario Mamalakis
  • 1984 John W. Morriss
  • 1984 B.I. Moody
  • 1984 John W. Melton
  • 1984 Sen. John Breaux
  • 1983 Dr. Thomas J. Arceneaux
  • 1983 Mary Holly Ducharme
  • 1983 Dr. James A. Foret
  • 1983 Marie Louise Comeaux Manuel
  • 1982 Margret Chauvin Steen Villemez
  • 1982 J. Luke Soileau
  • 1982 Roland J. 鈥淭om鈥� Cambre
  • 1982 Leon C. Moncla
  • 1981 Julian C. 鈥淒utch鈥� Reinhardt
  • 1981 Dr. James R. Oliver
  • 1980 J. Rayburn Bertrand
  • 1980 Dr. David H. Fisher, Sr.
  • 1980 Herbert A. Hamilton
  • 1980 E. Glynn Abel
  • 1980 J. Otto 鈥淐hingle鈥� Broussard
  • 1979 Vesta Richard Bourgeois
  • 1979 F.M. 鈥淜it鈥� Carson
  • 1979 W.O. 鈥淢oon鈥� Carson
  • 1979 Hardy F. Edmiston, Jr.
  • 1979 Jorge L. Gonzales-Paralitici
  • 1979 Herbert Heymann
  • 1978 William T. Bass
  • 1978 Billy W. Bolton
  • 1978 E. Raymond DesOrmeaux
  • 1978 Sidney C. Ory
  • 1978 Hon. Kaliste Saloom, Jr.
  • 1978 D.S. 鈥淪hine鈥� Young
  • 1973 M. Eloi Girard
  • 1971 Ambassador Jefferson Caffery