Bishop Belonging
Ohio Wesleyan's Homecoming & Family Weekend Celebrates Community, Alumni Achievement, and 10 Years of WOW
Old friends reconnected, families explored campus, and generations of Battling Bishops celebrated Ohio Wesleyan University during Homecoming & Family Weekend, Oct. 2-3, 2026.
The two-day celebration brought alumni, students, families, faculty, staff, and community members together for reunions, campus traditions, and alumni recognition. Highlights included the 10th anniversary of Women of Ohio Wesleyan, the David Hamilton Smith Award presentation, and the "W" Association Athletics Hall of Fame induction and Team of Distinction recognition.
Celebrating 10 Years of WOW
Women of Ohio Wesleyan marked its 10th anniversary with a celebration featuring Wandia Chiuri '05.
WOW strengthens connections among participants and with Ohio Wesleyan, creating opportunities for engagement, community building, mentorship, and philanthropic support.
Since its launch in 2016, a total of 988 guests have participated in WOW events, in person and online. Since 2022, supporters have given $79,472.61 to the WOW Fund to create opportunities for WOW Scholars.
Honoring Alumni Dedication
Ohio Wesleyan presented the 2026 David Hamilton Smith Awards to Jennifer "Jenna" Magro Algarotti, Ph.D., '00, of Kappa Kappa Gamma, and Bob Bachman '68, of Chi Phi Fraternity.
The award recognizes fraternity and sorority alumni who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to their organization, the OWU Fraternity & Sorority Life community, or Ohio Wesleyan, or who have distinguished themselves professionally. It is named for its first recipient, Dr. David Hamilton Smith '53, a member of Delta Tau Delta.
Recognizing Athletic Achievement
The "W" Association welcomed nine alumni into the Ohio Wesleyan Athletics Hall of Fame:
- Sarah Bechtel '14 – Women's Track & Field
- Kale Booher '12 – Men's Track & Field and Cross Country
- Claude Gray III '16 – Men's Basketball
- Beredene Krill, Class of 1925 – Women's Track & Field, honored posthumously
- Evan Lee '16 – Men's Soccer
- Terry Mee '92 – Football
- David Spring '99 – Men's Track & Field and Cross Country
- Luke Tennis '76 – Men's Lacrosse
- Emily Thornton '03 – Softball
The ceremony also honored the 1971 football team and the 1999 women's soccer team as Teams of Distinction, bringing teammates, families, and friends together to recognize their place in Ohio Wesleyan's athletic history.
Celebrating Donors and Scholars
The Donors and Scholars event connected donors and students to celebrate philanthropy's impact at Ohio Wesleyan. Students shared reflections on their service experiences, highlighting how the OWU Connection's "Do Good" pillar inspires them to put what they learn into action.
Participants then extended that spirit of generosity beyond campus, making no-sew fleece blankets with My Very Own Blanket for children in foster care in Delaware County. The hands-on project allowed donors and students to get to know one another while serving the broader community.
Connecting Across Generations
Pints with Profs brought alumni together with faculty and staff, while the OWU family mixer connected families with university leadership. Fraternity, sorority, athletic, and class gatherings welcomed alumni back to the communities that helped shape their college experience.
The Bishop Walk, Marching Band, and Battling Bishop tailgates added campus spirit to the weekend. Guests also enjoyed a Celebrate Sanborn alumni concert, a program at Perkins Observatory, and First Friday festivities in downtown Delaware.
Across campus and beyond, Homecoming & Family Weekend affirmed a sense of belonging that spans generations of the Bishop community.