Wesleyan Weekend 2025
Filled with traditions and events, Wesleyan Weekend has something for everyone. All NWU alumni, students, current parents, parents of alumni, family, and friends are welcome to attend.
For questions about the upcoming Wesleyan Weekend, contact NWU Alumni Relations at alumni@nebrwesleyan.edu or (402) 465-2123.
We look forward to seeing you this fall!
Reunion Team Volunteers
Join others serving on your milestone class reunion team to help make the weekend a great success. Contact us at alumni@nebrwesleyan.edu or (402) 465-2123 to sign up. As a reunion team volunteer, you will:
- Encourage classmates and friends to attend your reunion and other Wesleyan Weekend activities (via social media, emails, phone calls, mailed notes, etc.) We can provide alumni contact information to help you connect!
- Find lost classmates through personal networks or online searches.
- Identify and plan special activities specifically for your class.
- Share Wesleyan Weekend content through your social media channels. To get up-to-date NWU info, please join and follow us on:
- Facebook = Nebraska Wesleyan Alumni
- LinkedIn = Nebraska Wesleyan University Alumni
- Instagram = @nwualumni
- Website - nebrwesleyan.edu/alumni
Connect with NWU
Stay informed as we plan Wesleyan Weekend as well as other events throughout the year. We also want to celebrate your accomplishments with you and others!
- Send us your updated contact and employment information on the Information Update page.
- Let us know about your recent life events or accomplishments to include in the “Class Notes” section of Archways Magazine at classnotes@nebrwesleyan.edu.
Wesleyan Weekend HQ
Alabaster Lounge, second floor, Old Main
As you arrive on campus, stop by our Wesleyan Weekend HQ in Alabaster Lounge (elevator available). Pick up your NWU Wesleyan Weekend t-shirt, use this room as a meeting place for friends, rest up between events, get event updates and find answers to any questions during the weekend. Alumni Relations can also answer your questions. Just call or text Shelley McHugh’s cell at (402) 890-1333.
Friday, October 10, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday, October 11, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Courtesy golf carts will be available during the day on Saturday to assist you on campus.
Self-guided campus tour
Take a walk down memory lane as you tour NWU’s historic campus. You can pick up a printed guide describing favorite stops at the Wesleyan Weekend HQ or print a copy from our website.
Dining
Many Wesleyan Weekend events include food. You may also enjoy a convenient meal on campus.
Archway Café Hours
Story Student Center, lower level
7:30 a.m. – 10 p.m. Thursday
7:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. Friday
3 – 8:30 p.m. Saturday
3 – 10 p.m. Sunday
Prairie Point Dining Center Hours
Story Student Center, main level
7:15 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., 5:30 – 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Common Ground Café
Acklie Hall of Science, second floor
8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Thursday
8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Friday
Show your spirit!
Wear your NWU colors with pride on campus. NWU Wesleyan Weekend t-shirts are available to purchase when you register online or by mail (quantities are limited.) You can also purchase NWU gear at our bookstore and get a 10 % discount by using this coupon.
Prairie Wolves Bookstore Hours
Story Student Center, main level
Thursday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Lodging Options
All NWU Wesleyan Weekend guests may receive special hotel rates at the below establishments. To make a reservation please use the following phrasing—“I would like to make a reservation for NWU Wesleyan Weekend at the Nebraska Wesleyan negotiated rate.” Please book by the dates noted below.
Annabell Gardens
200 South 68th Place
(402) 383-0302
Reserve by September 15
Rate: $119
Country Suites East
331 N. Cotner Blvd.
(402) 817-2456
Reserve by August 25
Rate: $165-$185
Courtyard Marriott Lincoln Downtown/Haymarket
808 R Street
(402) 904-4800
Reserve by September 12
Rate: $139
Plan your weekend!
Thursday, October 9
6 p.m.
50th reunion medallion ceremony and Legends and Legacies alumni award dinner
Country Club of Lincoln, main ballroom
3200 S. 24th Street, Lincoln
Celebrate with us as NWU’s Alumni Association honors these distinguished alumni:
Attendees from class of 1975
Alumni Achievement Award
Sue Cassata (’91)
Alumni Loyalty Award
Jane (Paul) Kinyoun (’67)
Alumni Humanitarian Award
Richard “Skip” Legge, MD (’82)
Alumni Loyalty Award
Norma Nelson (’69)
Young Alumni Achievement Award
Annie Ortmeier (’04)
John Rosentrater Act of Valor Award
Craig Urbauer, MD (’64) (posthumous)
Friday, October 10
10 a.m.
Walking the Campus Tour
Old Main, Alabaster Lounge, second floor
Take a guided walking tour of campus to revisit favorite places and see what’s new.
1 p.m.
Connect with Samantha (Matulka) Costa (’07)
Rogers Center for Fine Arts, lower level, Emerson Recital Hall
NWU’s Outstanding Music Alumna award recipient and Lincoln Southwest High School’s choral director shares her story.
1 p.m.
“Stretching the Truth: What Actually Works to Keep You Flexible, Strong, and Injury Free”
Weary Center, Classrooms 106 A and B
NWU athletic trainers debunk fitness myths and explore evidence-based strategies for flexibility, strength and injury prevention in this interactive one-hour workshop. Whether you’re a weekend warrior, desk jockey, or lifelong athlete, you’ll leave with practical tips you can use right away. Come ready to move and learn!
2 p.m.
Alumni/Student Conversations: “Sunflowers, Coyotes, Plainsmen and Prairie Wolves”
Cochrane-Woods Library, first floor, Learning Commons
Alumni of all ages are invited to talk with Archway Seminar students researching NWU’s history. They’re developing websites on the history of NWU’s English, psychology, physics and theatre departments but all stories are encouraged.
6:30 p.m.
All-alumni Open House
Country Club of Lincoln, main ballroom
3200 S. 24th Street, Lincoln
Reconnect with old friends at this special gathering for all alumni! We’ll recognize milestone classes and take photos. Enjoy drinks and heavy appetizers.
8 p.m.
“Howl Like Hell” pep rally
Abel Stadium
Current students unleash their rowdy spirit competition to kick off their weekend celebration. We’ll announce the 2025 Platinum Prairie Wolf honorees.
Saturday, October 11
8:30 a.m.
Athletic Hall of Fame induction and breakfast
Weary Center, Snyder Arena
The ‘W’ Club inducts the next class of outstanding athletes during this annual awards breakfast.
- Orson Christensen, Spirit of the Plainsman Award
- Joe Gohr (’03), men’s soccer
- Courtney (Clinard) Mann (’01), women’s track & field/cross country
- Jackie Smith (’04), softball
- Grant Varveris (’00), football
- 1985-1986 men’s basketball team
- 1987-1988 men’s basketball team
9 a.m.
Fraternity and sorority open houses
Individual chapter houses
9:30 a.m.
Phi Mu alumnae brunch
Story Student Center, main level, Sunflower Room
Phi Mu alumnae gather for conversation and a light brunch. RSVP by September 25 to Shalla Young at (402) 483-2121.
10 a.m.
Wolf2Wolf gathering
Olin Lecture Hall Lobby
NWU football’s Wolf2Wolf mentors and mentees gather before team meetings. We’ll serve light refreshments.
11 a.m.
Family picnic and carnival
Taylor Commons (east of Cochrane-Woods Library)
All are welcome at this family-friendly event featuring free food, inflatables, music, games and an ice cream truck.
11 a.m.
Outdoor yoga
Olin green space, west of Smith-Curtis
Prof. Karla Jensen (a certified yoga teacher) and student members of the NWU Yoga Club lead this all-ages yoga class. We’ll have mats, or you can bring your own.
1 p.m.
NWU Football vs. Loras College
Abel Stadium
Students: $3; Adults: $6 (Pay at the gate)
Cheer on the Prairie Wolves as they face the Duhawks. Halftime includes a performance by NWU’s dance team, Hall of Fame inductee recognition and introduction of the 2025 Platinum Prairie Wolf honorees.
1 p.m.
Music history and theory trivia challenge
Rogers Center for Fine Arts, lower level, Emerson Recital Hall
Music alumni reconnect and recall what they learned in NWU music classes. We’ll have snacks and prizes. Hosted by Julie Allen (’84) and emeriti professors Jean Henderson (’64) and Larry Jones (’73). RSVP to Julie at jaallen07@hotmail.com to reserve your spot.
1:30 p.m.
Bingo on the Green
Taylor Commons (east of Cochrane-Woods Library)
Once the picnic and carnival stop, the bingo begins with chances to win fun prizes!
4:30 p.m.
Student and alumni music showcase concert
Rogers Center for Fine Arts, O’Donnell Auditorium
Enjoy a full afternoon of music at this must-see concert! Music alumni are invited to join in. Alumni instrumental performers rehearse at 2:30 p.m.; alumni vocalists rehearse at 4 p.m. We’ll recognize NWU’s 2025 Outstanding Music Alumna award recipient, Samantha (Matulka) Costa (’07), during the performance.
- Vocalists RSVP to Tom Trenney at tomtrenney@gmail.com.
- Band members RSVP to Zach Cheever at zcheever@nebrwesleyan.edu.
Going to Preston Max Allen’s “We are the Tigers” after the concert? Grab a convenient dinner at Prairie Point Dining Center between performances.
Sunday, October 12
8:30/10:45 a.m.
Communion worship services
First United Methodist Church
2723 N 50th Street
Recurring Events
Self-guided campus tours
Grab a printed guide in Alabaster Lounge, then take a walk down memory lane.
Art exhibition: Dorothy Antoinette LaSelle: Space Movements
Rogers Center for Fine Arts, Elder Gallery
The late Dorothy Antoinette "Toni" LaSelle’s (1923) art is a stellar example of the vitality of American non-objective painting at midcentury. Her work is fast becoming recognized alongside other abstract artists of the post-war period.
Thursday-Saturday 7:30 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m.
NWU Theatre presents: Preston Max Allen’s “We are the Tigers”
Annie L. McDonald Theatre, Elder Theatre Center
When video of a stunt-gone-wrong goes viral, the Giles Corey High cheer squad’s reputation hits the floor. It’s a good thing cheerleaders believe in comeback victories. Of course there are secrets, conflict and drama—this is high school. But how far will they GO! FIGHT! WIN! for a return to glory? This pop-rock murder-mystery musical is recommended for mature audiences.
Tickets
- www.nebrwesleyan.edu/theatre/current-season
- Box office: (402) 465-2384, M-F, 3-5 pm