Homecoming Weekend

September 24-27, 2026

We are planning a weekend you won’t want to miss with special celebrations for our reunion classes.

View the Schedule Registration Opens May 26

This year has been unmistakable: Carlow is visible, vibrant, and ready for the future.

Signs of Pride, Progress, and Purpose

Step onto Carlow’s campus and you’ll notice something new — bold signage that makes Carlow impossible to miss and even harder to forget.

See Carlow’s Sign Upgrade

Event Feature

Mercy Service Day

Mercy Service Day, an annual Carlow University tradition, embodies Carlow’s commitment to service, compassion, and community engagement. More than 150 students, faculty, staff, and alumni dedicate their time and efforts to various service projects and contributed to the well-being of the broader Pittsburgh community.

To be a part of Carlow University is to be a part of a community of leaders, a community that is devoted to positively transforming lives and changing the world for good.

Here, we empower individuals to think clearly and creatively and to actively pursue intellectual endeavors. We encourage our students to discover, challenge or affirm cultural and aesthetic values, and to embrace an ethic of service as they forge ahead and change the world for the better.

Discover what happens when ethics and mercy combine with healing and innovation.

Read the latest President’s Report

Homecoming & Reunion Weekend Schedule

Come home to Carlow for a weekend of connection, service, celebration, and Celtic pride.

Thursday, September 24

5:30 pm

Welcome Reception & Donor Wall Unveiling (invitation only)

SIM Lab Experience & Workforce Showcase

University Commons 5th Floor

Begin Homecoming & Reunion Weekend by reconnecting with fellow alumni, friends, and supporters during a special evening celebrating the future of Carlow University. Guests will enjoy a warm reception followed by the unveiling of Carlow’s new Donor Wall. This is a tribute to the generosity, leadership, and Mercy spirit that continue to shape our community. This meaningful kickoff sets the tone for a weekend rooted in connection, gratitude, and momentum.

Experience firsthand how Carlow students are preparing to lead and serve in today’s workforce through an interactive evening inside Carlow’s Curran Hall. Alumni and guests will explore Carlow’s new cutting-edge Simulation Lab, engage with student ambassadors, hear inspiring stories from recent graduates, and witness the innovation driving Carlow’s future. Whether you graduated decades ago or recently crossed the commencement stage, this event offers a powerful reminder of why Carlow continues to matter in Pittsburgh and beyond.

Friday, September 25

9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Mercy Service Day: Community, Service & Celebration

Meet on the University Commons Porch

Service has always been at the heart of the Carlow experience. Join fellow alumni, first year students, faculty, staff, and our community partners for Mercy Service Day as we come together to make a meaningful impact throughout the West Oakland community and right here on our campus. Multiple volunteer opportunities will be available both on and off campus, offering participants the chance to live out the Mercy values that unite generations of Carlow alumni.

12:00 – 2:00 pm

Lunch and Informal Meet-Ups

Reconnect with classmates, friends, and members of the Carlow community during informal lunch gatherings and meet-ups.

3:30 – 4:30 pm

Persistence Celebration

Rosemary Heyl Theatre, Antonian Hall

The Persistence Celebration recognizes undergraduates who are entering their third year of study at Carlow University. Families, staff and faculty are invited to celebrate students as they receive a medal to acknowledge their achievement, specially designed with the Carlow University seal.

12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Spark Your Mindset: Own & Lead Your Energy

A Petite Retreat with Carlow Alumna Merilee Smith 2004

Location will be announced.

Registration: $30

Step away from the noise of everyday life and reconnect with yourself alongside fellow Carlow women during this intimate Petite Retreat led by Carlow alumna, keynote speaker, and leadership coach Merilee Smith.

Created for Carlow alumni, this immersive half-day experience is designed for women who are ready to lead their next chapter with greater clarity, confidence, and intention. Through meaningful conversation, reflection, and guided exercises, participants will explore Merilee’s signature Inner Board Members Framework and discover how mindset, energy, and self-leadership shape the way we live and lead.

Whether you are navigating career growth, personal change, leadership responsibilities, or simply seeking space to recharge and reconnect, this experience offers a powerful opportunity to invest in yourself while building authentic connections with fellow Carlow alumnae. Learn more about Merilee Smith.

Your registration includes:

  • A professionally facilitated retreat experience
  • Interactive workbook and retreat materials
  • Light appetizers and refreshments
  • Meaningful connection with fellow Carlow women
  • A unique Homecoming & Reunion experience designed exclusively for alumni

Space is intentionally limited to create a meaningful and personalized experience. Advance registration is strongly encouraged.

5:00 pm

Athletics Walk of Fame Ceremony

St. Joseph Athletic & Fitness Center

Join us as Carlow University honors outstanding student-athletes, coaches, and champions whose dedication and leadership have shaped the legacy of Celtic athletics. This special ceremony celebrates the impact of athletics at Carlow and recognizes individuals whose achievements continue to inspire pride across the Carlow community.

5:00 – 9:30 pm

CU on the Green Festival

As the sun sets over campus, join the Carlow community for an unforgettable evening of music, food, entertainment, and celebration at CU on the Green. Alumni, students, families, and friends are invited to enjoy food trucks, games, live entertainment, alumni gathering spaces, and special Homecoming surprises throughout the evening. Whether you are reconnecting with classmates or making new memories with family, this festival captures the vibrant spirit of Carlow today.

Saturday, September 26

9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Carlow Open House & Academic Showcases

10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Alumni Experiences

Rediscover Carlow through a morning of exploration, innovation, and lifelong learning. Alumni and guests are invited to tour campus spaces, engage with faculty, experience mini lectures, and learn more about the academic and workforce programs shaping today’s student experience. This is a unique opportunity to see how Carlow continues to evolve while remaining grounded in its Mercy mission.

Take a walk down memory lane while reconnecting with the people and places that helped shape your Carlow story. Throughout the morning, alumni can enjoy nostalgic residence hall and campus tours led by student ambassadors and relax in dedicated alumni hospitality spaces designed for conversation and reconnection. Whether it’s your first time back in years or you return often, these experiences are designed to bring your Carlow memories to life.

12:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Tiernan Dining Hall for Lunch

2:00 pm

Celtic Women’s Volleyball Game

St. Joseph Athletic & Fitness Center

Cheer on the Celtics and show your Carlow pride as Women’s Volleyball takes the court in St. Joe’s Hall. Alumni, families, students and fans are all invited to enjoy an afternoon of spirited competition and campus energy while supporting Carlow Athletics.

12:00 – 4:00 pm

Carlow Carnival

Parking Lot A

All members of the Carlow Community are invited to join us for an afternoon full of games, rides, and food. We can't wait to CU there!

4:00 pm – 6:30 pm

Reunion Dinner

St. Agnes Event Center

A special dinner for celebrating years.

Before the excitement of Monte Carlow begins, alumni are invited to gather inside our historic St. Agnes Center for a special Reunion Dinner celebrating the lifelong bonds and shared memories that make the Carlow community so meaningful. Whether you are commemorating a milestone reunion year, reconnecting with classmates or simply returning home to campus to celebrate your love for Carlow, this evening offers a warm and welcoming opportunity to come together with fellow alumni and friends. Guests will enjoy dinner, conversation, reflections, and meaningful moments of connection in one of Carlow’s most beloved and nostalgic spaces.

As the evening transitions into Monte Carlow, alumni are encouraged to continue the celebration with music, dancing, entertainment, and community throughout the night.

Come home to Carlow, reconnect with friends, celebrate cherished memories and create new ones together.

6:30 – 10:30 pm

Monte Carlow Night

St. Agnes Event Center

Step into an unforgettable evening of nostalgia, elegance, and celebration inside the historic St. Agnes Church. Monte Carlow will feature lively music and gaming experience with opportunities to reconnect with classmates and friends in one of Carlow’s most beloved spaces. Whether you are celebrating a milestone reunion year or simply returning home to campus, this signature evening event promises to be one of the highlights of the weekend.

Sunday, September 27

10:00 am

Bingo Brunch and Send Off on the Green

More details to follow.

Register for Homecoming & Reunion Weekend

Registration opens Tuesday, May 26.

Use the form below to register once registration opens.

Registration Coming Soon

Registration will open on Tuesday, May 26.