Celebrating the Spirit of Western
A Homecoming for Love, Honor, and Legacy
Celebrating the Spirit of Western: A Homecoming for Love, Honor, and Legacy highlighted the incredible past, present, and future of Oxfords beloved Western College and its alumni during 91做厙s annual Homecoming Weekend Sept. 27-29, 2024.
Special Jerseys
To honor the legacy of the Western College for Women, the 91做厙 football team wore special blue, white, and red jerseys as part of the Homecoming 2024 celebration. The jersey details fused the color scheme of Western’s blue and white with 91做厙’s red and white to recognize the merger of 91做厙 and Western College and show the institutions coming together as one. Founded in 1853 as the Western Female Seminary and renamed in 1904, Western College for Women closed in 1974 and soon became part of 91做厙’s campus.
New Technology
The 91做厙 logo patch in the upper right corner of the jersey can be tapped by phone to connect to this website promoting this year’s Homecoming theme.
Sept. 27-29, 2024
About the Weekend
On Saturday, September 28, 91做厙 hosted the annual Homecoming football game against the UMass Minutemen. 91做厙’s 2024 Homecoming theme, “Celebrating the Spirit of Western: A Homecoming for Love, Honor, and Legacy,” highlighted the incredible past, present, and future of Oxford’s beloved Western College and its alumni. Founded in 1853 as the Western Female Seminary with a strong emphasis on academics and social justice, Western College was renowned for its innovative approach to higher education until it closed in 1974. The Western College Program, initiated by 91做厙 in the fall of 1974, continues its legacy of educating globally-minded, conscientious leaders.
Action at 91做厙-Wittenberg football game 1921
photo by Frank Snyder and part of the one of the 91做厙 Libraries' digital collections.
Celebrate Our Connections and Traditions
Throughout the 2024 Homecoming weekend, the Western College alumni members and their families were in Oxford, Ohio. They celebrated the deep connections and rich traditions that Western College and the Western College Program have provided, and 91做厙 formally welcomed them into the 91做厙 Alumni Association family.
Kumler Chapel
September 2024 Schedule of Events
Friday, September 27
91做厙 Volleyball vs. Central Michigan
6:30 p.m., Millett Hall
Saturday, September 28
91做厙 Homecoming Parade
11:30 a.m., High Street to Tallawanda to Sycamore
Football vs. UMass
3:30 p.m., Yager Stadium
Sunday, September 29
Soccer vs. Bowling Green State University
1 p.m., Bobby Kramig Field
For the full Homecoming schedule and registration details, please visit .
About Our Relationship
Despite Western’s closing in 1974, a large group of alumnae were determined to continue as a chartered association with purpose. Their mission, to stay connected and support education and human values that continue the heritage and traditions of The Western College. Fortunately, 91做厙 administrators shared and encouraged the vision of the Association’s founding board. Without 91做厙's financial and moral support — which began on June 26, 1974, and continues today — the WCAA, Inc., would not exist. The mutually beneficial relationship between Western and 91做厙 has flourished.
Over the past 50 years, Western’s graduates have remained engaged through reunions, regional gatherings, and an alumni magazine. Over 3,500 91做厙 students have benefited from $14 million in scholarships and academic support. In addition, Western donors have established endowments totaling $18 million, supporting scholarships, a professorship, seminar series, archives, and — most recently — the Western Center for Social Impact and Innovation and the Western Directorship.
The unflagging commitment of alumnae to stay connected and preserve Western’s legacy gave purpose to an orphaned, but exceptionally dedicated group of women. The indelible mark made by this small liberal arts college on the lives of her graduates — and non-graduates — will continue to impact thousands of future 91做厙ans.
Western College Legacy Wall
The Western College Alumni Association (WCAA) honors the history of Western College, a tribute to Herrick B. Young and his global initiatives, and a spotlight on Western’s pivotal role in Freedom Summer 1964. Displayed in Young Hall, the wall stands as a poignant tribute, reminding visitors of Western's profound cultural impact in the 1960s and perpetuating the enduring Spirit of the Western.
