A Weekend of Tradition
- General Admission (over 18): $25
- Ages 12-18: $10
- Ages 11 and under: Free
- UHart Student: Free (with student ID)
- Add-on Sunday Jazz Brunch: $40
Hawktober (noun) 1. UHart’s annual Homecoming & Family Weekend; 2. Campus-wide revelry fueled by Hawk pride; 3. A joyous gathering of Hawks—past, present, and future—for unforgettable events, spirited traditions, and nonstop fun
This Hawktober Weekend will be one for the ages. Whether it’s your first Hawktober or your 50th, a good awaits!
👉 Join the flock—RSVP now and be part of the celebration!
Featured & Favorites
Don't miss the annual return of The Pub—come for the music, come for a drink; stay for the friends, fun, and memories!
During the day–fun, food, and games at the tailgate. In the evening, reunite with old friends at the Alumni Throwback Party, STN2 Alumni Show, and BSU Reception.
Full Schedule of Events
See the full schedule of events listed by day. Additional events will be added throughout the month of August.
A Taste of Home
11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. | Commons Dining Hall
Visit us at Commons Dining Hall for a chance to see your family recipe highlighted at the Taste of Home lunch! Aramark will be featuring 8-12 UHart family dishes, submitted by UHart students and their families. To enter your family dish for consideration, submit your recipe to taste@hartford.edu by Sept. 26, 2025.
HLSA Luncheon
Noon to 2 p.m. | Gengras Student Union (room 331)
The Hispanic & Latino Student Association would like to invite parents, students, and alumni to join us for a complimentary Latino lunch. Meet our board members, learn about what HLSA has to offer, and find out what life is like as a Hispanic or Latinx student on campus. Esperamos verlos aquí!
Joseloff Gallery Presents: Human Marks: Tattooing in Contemporary Art
1 to 5 p.m. | Joseloff Gallery, Harry Jack Gray Center
The 8th International Distinguished Artists Symposium and Exhibition, Human Marks: Tattooing in Contemporary Art, explores convergences between tattoo culture and global contemporary art. The exhibition presents the full creative spectrum of artists who maintain both tattoo and studio practices to ask what the world of fine art can learn from today’s tattoo community. With a range of surprising media—from paintings made with human blood to wearable works in silicone and even perfumery—themes of ritual, ethics, and identity tie together the materially dynamic, unexpected, and challenging artwork.
Slipe Gallery Presents: Realigned Possession
1 to 5 p.m. | Silpe Gallery, Harry Jack Gray Center
Realigned Possession is an exhibition, performance, and video by artists Creighton Baxter and Miller Robinson, first staged in 2020 and reconceived on the occasion of Human Marks to elaborate on the theme of identity in the exhibition. The project is a meditation on queer uses of the body, resulting in an installation that traces the material relationships established during an 8-hour, unscripted performance.
This iteration of Realigned Possession is made possible by a grant from the Edward C. and Ann T. Roberts Foundation.
50(ish) Reunion Then & Now Tour of Campus
2:00 - 3:00 PM
50(ish) Reunion Coffee House & Memory Share
3 to 5 p.m. | GSU
40th Arrival and Reception
3:30 to 5 p.m. | 1877 Rotunda
50 (ish) & 40th Reunion Dinner with President Ward
5 to 7 p.m. | 1877 Club
The Pub
7 to 9 p.m. | Hawk Lounge
Join us for live music from Redtail Records
Mainstage Musical Performance: The Skin of Our Teeth
7:30 to 10 p.m. | Millard Auditorium
Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize-winning epic comedy explores the endurance of the human spirit through the eccentric Antrobus family as they survive ice ages, floods, and wars with surprising humor and hope. A wild ride through history—and humanity.
Legacy Coffee with President Ward
8 to 9 a.m.
UHart Parents Breakfast Social
9 to 11 a.m. | GSU Hawk Lounge
Hosted by the Director of Parent Engagement & Philanthropy and UHart's Parent Council, we invite you to join fellow parents for a casual meet and greet over a catered breakfast. Connect with other families going through a similar UHart experience and enjoy great conversation. Mingle with campus leadership and chat with UHart staff who can answer your questions on the student experience and learn ways in which you can stay more connected as a proud parent! This year legacy recognition will be included.
Alumni Advisory Board Meeting
9 to 11 a.m. | Hursey Center
50 (ish) & 40th Brunch
9:30 to 11 a.m. | Hursey Center
UHart Archives Pop-up Exhibit
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. | KF Room, Harrison Libraries
The exhibit will feature items covering the history of the University and its schools — with a special focus on the former presidents of the University — as well as select materials from various special collections.
40th Then & Now Campus Tours
11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Alumni Art Marketplace: Celebrating Creativity and Connections
Noon to 2 p.m. | Alumni Plaza (as part of Hawktoberfest)
All are invited to the Alumni Art Marketplace, a vibrant and dynamic gathering that celebrates the artistic talents of our alumni. Enjoy a captivating space for alumni artists to showcase and sell their creations and connect with art enthusiasts, collectors, and the wider community.
HawktoberFest
Noon to 5 p.m. | Alumni Plaza
Enjoy a delicious meal with fellow alumni, students, parents, and friends. We’ve partnered with SGA to feature an Aramark BBQ, food trucks, student performances, music, games and activities for the entire family, and more! $25 tickets; UHart students free
Study Abroad 101 for Parents & Students
1 to 2 p.m. | Mali Auditorium (201), Dana Hall
Interested in an educational experience overseas? University of Hartford offers everything from the traditional study abroad experience to internships, research, service-learning/volunteer, and teach abroad programs. Students can study abroad in over 50 different countries, and there are options available from one week to one year and everything in between. Education abroad can be an excellent resume booster (did you know only 11% of U.S. college students choose to study abroad?) and every UHart student is eligible to participate. You'll be able to hear directly from the International Center and study abroad alumni - join us to learn more and get your questions answered!
Joseloff Gallery Presents: Human Marks: Tattooing in Contemporary Art
1 to 5 p.m. | Joseloff Gallery, Harry Jack Gray Center
The 8th International Distinguished Artists Symposium and Exhibition, Human Marks: Tattooing in Contemporary Art, explores convergences between tattoo culture and global contemporary art. The exhibition presents the full creative spectrum of artists who maintain both tattoo and studio practices to ask what the world of fine art can learn from today’s tattoo community. With a range of surprising media—from paintings made with human blood to wearable works in silicone and even perfumery—themes of ritual, ethics, and identity tie together the materially dynamic, unexpected, and challenging artwork.
Slipe Gallery Presents: Realigned Possession
1 to 5 p.m. | Silpe Gallery, Harry Jack Gray Center
Realigned Possession is an exhibition, performance, and video by artists Creighton Baxter and Miller Robinson, first staged in 2020 and reconceived on the occasion of Human Marks to elaborate on the theme of identity in the exhibition. The project is a meditation on queer uses of the body, resulting in an installation that traces the material relationships established during an 8-hour, unscripted performance. This iteration of Realigned Possession is made possible by a grant from the Edward C. and Ann T. Roberts Foundation.
Mainstage Performance: The Skin of Our Teeth
2 to 4:30 p.m. | Millard Auditorium
Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize-winning epic comedy explores the endurance of the human spirit through the eccentric Antrobus family as they survive ice ages, floods, and wars with surprising humor and hope. A wild ride through history—and humanity.
Tailgate Village
2 to 6 p.m. | Lot M
Come connect with friends, alumni, and fellow Hawks for a lively celebration featuring an exciting lineup of student performances, delicious eats and plenty of Hawk Spirit.
Women's Soccer vs. Gordon College
3 p.m. | Al-Marzook Field
Cheer on the 2025 Women's Soccer Team as they compete against Gordon College!
Student Television Network – Studio Tour & Alumni Newscast
5 to 6 p.m. | TV Studio, Abrahms Hall
Take a student-led tour of the TV studio. Stick around and watch the magic happen at the 5:00 pm alumni-anchored newscast.
Athletics Throwback Party
5 to 7 p.m. | Lot M
Calling all Alumni Athletes come and meet your fellow teammates for a reunion gathering.
Men's Soccer vs. Gordon College
6 p.m. | Al-Marzook Field
Cheer on the 2025 Men’s Soccer Team as they compete against Gordon College!
BSU Annual Alumni and Parents Reception
6 to 8 p.m. | 1877 Club + Rotunda
Join us for the BSU Annual Alumni and Parents Dinner! The Alumni of Color Task Force will recreate traditions, peers will have the opportunity to reconnect, and students will share their campus experiences. Semiformal attire encouraged.
School of Communication Alumni Networking
6 to 8:30 p.m. | Wilde Lobby & Auditorium
School of Communication alumni are invited to attend a reception where you can catch up with other graduates and faculty. Complementary appetizers and beverages provided.
BIPOC Wine & R&B Night
8 to 11 p.m. | Hawks Nest
Mainstage Performance: The Skin of Our Teeth
7:30 to 10 p.m. | Millard Auditorium
Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize-winning epic comedy explores the endurance of the human spirit through the eccentric Antrobus family as they survive ice ages, floods, and wars with surprising humor and hope. A wild ride through history—and humanity.
Hawktober 5K
8 a.m. Check in opens
9 a.m. Race begins
Separate registration required
Race, run, walk or jog your way through campus alongside UHart alumni, students, families, and friends at our annual Hawktober weekend 5K. Race registration includes a t-shirt and race bib; proceeds support our Cross County/Track and Field Programs.
NEW THIS YEAR! Race begins and ends on the brand-new Grant Family Track and Field on campus.
Jazz Brunch
11 a.m. | Cafe, Gengras Student Union
Join fellow alumni, parents and students for everyone’s favorite part of Hawktober weekend: the annual Jazz Brunch. This year, we are thrilled to return to campus with brunch accompanied by lively jazz music, featuring alumna and recording artist Latanya Farrell M'97, M'98.
Tickets are $40/person and include brunch, your first beverage, and all the smooth jazz you can handle. Space is limited.
Mainstage Performance: The Skin of Our Teeth
3 p.m. | Millard Auditorium
Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize-winning epic comedy explores the endurance of the human spirit through the eccentric Antrobus family as they survive ice ages, floods, and wars with surprising humor and hope. A wild ride through history—and humanity.
Hawktober Throughout the Years
Frequently Asked Questions
Don’t see an answer to your question? Send us an email at hawktober@hartford.edu.
Questions About Registration
Registration is live! Use the online form to secure your tickets for Hawktober 2025.
Hawktober Weekend pre-registration will remain open until Friday, Oct. 3. After that date, guests are welcome to attend as walk-ins.
Pre-registration is not required to attend Hawktober, but it is highly recommended. Some Hawktober events are ticketed and have limited space, so be sure to secure your spot by pre registering. Walk-ins are always welcome during Hawktober Weekend, as long as events have open capacity.
Questions About Travel
If you are driving to the University of Hartford, check out our recommended routes from various directions.
The University of Hartford has plenty of parking available for our Hawktober Weekend guests. An interactive parking map will be posted on this page when registration becomes available–check back here.
The University of Hartford has partnered with local hotels to offer you discounted rates. View options and make reservations online.