- Welcome
- Highlights
- Registration
- Go-Kart Races
- Cardboard Boat Races
- Schedule
- FAQ
Mark your calendars to join us for our 80th! Homecoming & Family Weekend (October 1-3, 2026) will be full of spectacular activities! This weekend is specifically designed for both our alumni and our current students and their families. Whether building your first relationships with the LETU family or reconnecting with longtime friends, this is the event for our faculty, staff, and their families, our alumni, and our entire student body and their families.
We look forward to Go-Kart Races, Drone Races, the Academy of Engineering & Engineering Technology, our Alumni Chapel, Cardboard Boat Races, Rope Pull and more! This is a momentous Homecoming & Family Weekend you don't want to miss!
We welcome back our Golden Jackets as we celebrate 50 years with the Class of 1976! Make sure update your information for your !
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Whether a pilot or a not, all are invited to join us for this very special event at the Abbott Aviation Center for the morning of Saturday. Enjoy the Pancake Breakfast and a tour of the Abbott Aviation facility. This is one event you don't want to miss!
Following on recent successful Go Kart events, the Automotive Society will once again be hosting the go kart races during Homecoming & Family Weekend. Alumni, students, faculty, and staff are invited to participate in open and stock class competitions. Qualifying races will take place Saturday morning with race finals occurring on Saturday afternoon.
Registration now open. Race rules, regulations and registration information available by clicking below:
WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:
- Thursday, Oct 1
- Community Prayer in Speer Chapel
- Science & Faith seminar
- Academy of Engineering & Engineering Technology Banquet
- Friday, Oct 2
- Coffee with the President
- Homecoming Chapel
- Golden Jacket Luncheon
- Campus and Academic Tours
- Baseball Home Run Derby
- Dinner on the Patio
- Saturday, Oct 3
- Planes & Pancakes at Abbott Center
- Bodacious Bar-B-Q at the Pond: Cardboard Boat Races and Rope Pull
- Kids Zone in the Dome
- Go-Kart Finals
To register for this year's Homecoming & Family Weekend, please click below:
Problems opening registration? .
Questions? Please contact our Alumni Relations Team: 903-233-3840.
Need to make changes to your Homecoming & Family Weekend registration?
If so, click below:
The Auto Society is sponsoring this Fall's Go-Kart races during Homecoming & Family Weekend.
Students, alumni, faculty, and staff are invited to participate by entering a kart in either the Stock or Open class (see below) and/or sponsoring a team to enter.
Race Classes:
- Stock Class: either a Predator 212cc engine OR a Briggs & Stratton 206cc engine
- Open Class: Up to 250cc four-cycle OR 125cc two-cycle engine OR up to a 5 Kilowatt rated electric motor
- NOTE: Go-Karts must adhere to the race regulations .
Race Times:
- Time Trials: Saturday, 9:30am-11:00am
- Heats & Final Races: Saturday, 2:00pm-5:00pm
How to Register:
Teams planning to compete in the races will register to compete via the Homecoming & Family Weekend registration form. Only ONE registration is required per team. Registration is $50/team.
When registering, look for "Would you like to register a go kart in the Auto Society Go-Kart Races?" underneath "Weekend Events". Click on "Yes" to begin completing the registration portion for the Go-Kart races.
Students and alumni are invited to participate in this year's Cardboard Boat Races. There are two categories:
- Pre-Build: Enjoy time to build your boat in advance of the races. (Team provides own supplies.)
- Two Prize Categories: Fastest ($200 cash prize) and Best Design ($200 cash prize)
- Speed Build: Spend 3 hours the day of the races building your boat with your team. (All supplies provided.)
- Two Prize Categories: Fastest ($100 cash prize) and Best Design ($100 cash prize).
The races will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday. Click here to view race rules and regulations.
How to Register
To register a team for the boat races, you'll register for Homecoming Weekend.
Select at least one LETU student or one adult in your registration. NOTE: Only one member of each team needs to register for the races.
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The first screen, after clicking continue above, will provide opportunities for more information related to Go-Kart Races, the Homecoming Fly-In, AND the Cardboard Boat Races. Click on "Cardboard Boat Races" for race rules and to register for whichever category you plan to compete in. Complete the rest of your Homecoming Registration and hit submit to secure your place as one of the race teams.
THURSDAY
Registration and check-in are available from 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. in the Allen Family Student Center. .
11:00 a.m. | Community Prayer | Speer Chapel
Led by our Campus Pastor and LSM student leaders, take advantage of this opportunity to gather with others and pray for 黑料网.
11:00 a.m. | Science & Faith Seminar | Glaske C101
Discover how science and Christian faith work together through thought-provoking presentations that inspire curiosity and deepen our understanding of God's creation.
12:00 p.m. | Will & Estate Advisory Sessions | Free
Are you interested in creating or updating your will, estate plan, or legacy plan? Schedule a private consultation with Foundation President Tom Bevan to discuss how thoughtful legacy planning can benefit you and your spouse.
To learn more before your meeting, visit .
2:00 p.m. | Meet & Greet | AFSC Commons Area | Free
Reconnect with fellow alumni and parents in the Allen Family Student Center.
5:00 p.m. | Academy of Engineering & Engineering Technology Banquet | AFSC Great Room | $75
Since 2018, the Academy of Engineering and Engineering Technology has recognized engineering alumni who are leaders in their respective fields and disciplines. Seating is limited.
6:00 p.m. | Alumni-in-Action Dinner | Corner Café | Free
Are you participating in Alumni-in-Action by sharing in classes on Thursday or Friday? Join the Alumni Advisory Council for dinner—a great opportunity to connect and our way of thanking you for giving back to LeTourneau during your time on campus.
FRIDAY
Registration and check-in are available from 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. in the Allen Family Student Center.
9:00 a.m. | Coffee with the President | AFSC Great Room
Join President Steven Mason as he shares campus news and updates covering LeTourneau's students, legacy, and God's sovereign and gracious hand in accomplishing our mission.
10:35 a.m. | Homecoming Chapel | Belcher Center | Free
Worship, celebrate, and be encouraged in your faith as we gather for this year's alumni-led Homecoming & Family Weekend chapel.
11:45 a.m. | Golden Jackets Luncheon | AFSC Great Room | $15
Celebrate the 50th reunion of the Class of 1976 and its induction into the Golden Jackets.
12:00–4:00 p.m. | Legacy Experience | AFSC Media Room
2:00 p.m. | Campus Tour with Dr. Terry Zeitlow | AFSC Commons
2:00 p.m. | Center for Bioethics & Human Dignity Seminar | HHH 104
5:00 p.m. | Dinner on the Patio | AFSC Patio | $16
Join us for dinner, games, food, and festive fun. Play a round of cornhole, catch up with longtime friends, or enjoy a variety of activities as alumni, families, students, staff, and faculty come together to celebrate.
6:30 p.m. | Baseball Home Run Derby | Conrad Vernon Field
Take a look at last year's derby .
7:18 p.m. | Acousticafé | AFSC Patio
SATURDAY
Registration and check-in are available from 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. in the Allen Family Student Center.
8:00 a.m. | Planes & Pancakes: Pancake Breakfast | Abbott Aviation Center | $10
Support 黑料网's Precision Flight Team and its competitions throughout the year by participating in this beloved annual favorite.
8:00 a.m. | Abbott Aviation Center Tours | Free
Tour the Abbott Aviation Center, including the recent R.G. plane display. Tours are offered every half hour, with the final tour beginning at 9:30 a.m.
9:30–11:00 a.m. | Go-Kart Time Trials | Glaske Labs
Carrying on a legacy that began in the 1970s, cheer on this year's go-kart teams as they race for placement in the afternoon qualifying races.
10:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m. | Kids Zone in the Dome | Air Dome | Free
Cool off inside the new Air Dome, where children can enjoy inflatables, participate in races for prizes, and experience virtual reality.
11:00 a.m. | Drone Races | Intramural Field | Free
Join us near the Pavilion, just south of Glaske, for drone races sponsored by the LeTourneau Model Aviation Club. Open to the public.
12:00–1:45 p.m. | Bodacious Bar-B-Q | Basketball Pavilion | $15 Adult, $8 Child
Mingle with others while enjoying some of the best barbecue in Longview.
1:00 p.m. | Cardboard Boat Races & Intersociety Rope Pull | The Pond | Free
Alumni, parents, and students are invited to gather around the pond and cheer for their teams during these classic campus competitions.
View the Boat Race Rules. Alumni may field a team or join a student team in the speed-build or pre-build competitions. Floors, societies, and clubs are encouraged to participate.
1:00–4:00 p.m. | Red Dirt Rumble | Glaske South Lobby
Watch LeTourneau students compete against colleges and individuals from across Texas in a smaller-scale robot battle. The LETU Robotics Club hosts the Red Dirt Rumble in its custom-built Glaske arena, featuring remote-controlled robots equipped with spinning blades, beaters, and other weapons.
1:30–4:30 p.m. | Homemade Ice Cream | Glaske South Parking Lot | $5
Enjoy homemade ice cream provided by Little Green Ice Cream Machine.
2:00 p.m. | Go-Kart Qualifying & Final Races | Glaske Labs | Free
Cheer on student and alumni go-kart teams during the final fall races, sponsored by the Automotive Society.
4:00 p.m. | LeTourneau Foundation Dinner | AFSC Great Room
7:00 p.m. | Crowder Concert | Belcher Center
Below are answers to some of the most common questions we receive. Feel free to reach out to our Alumni Office if you have questions that are not answered below (903-233-3840, alumni@letu.edu).
- Why is Homecoming & Family Weekend in October, rather than April?
Our goal for Homecoming & Family Weekend is two-fold: (1) connecting our alumni with one another and (2) welcoming our new students and their families into the LeTourneau community. A Fall Homecoming moves us away from the weather problems of "April showers" and provides an opportunity for our new students and families to connect with the LeTourneau community much earlier in their year. - What about Hootenanny?
Don't worry! Hootenanny Weekend, with the talent and variety Hootenanny Show, will still take place in the Spring, as it has every year for nearly 50 years! Two opportunities to connect with alumni, family, and students provides twice the fun! - How do I register for Homecoming & Family Weekend?
Click on the "Registration" tab above (or select it from the drop-down menu on a mobile device). You can then register for each individual in your group there. - I've registered, but need to make changes to my registration. How do I do that?
You can use the edit link included in your confirmation email, to search for your registration and make changes, or give our Alumni Relations Team a call and we can help you make those changes over the phone (903-233-3840). - What is the cost for attending Homecoming & Family Weekend?
Most of the weekend's events are free. There are a number of events that help raise money for student groups (i.e. STING Pancake Breakfast), as well as a handful of specific events serving food and coast money (i.e. Golden Jackets Luncheon, banquets, other meals etc.). Whether or not you are attending a paid event, please register so that we can plan for you and plan accordingly so that all can enjoy a great weekend together. If you are not registering for any paid events, the registration process is automatically streamlined. - I am a 1976 graduate and celebrating my 50th Reunion this year. Where do I complete the Golden Jacket Response form?
We are so excited to celebrate you and celebrate with you as part of our 50th Anniversary Reunion. Please to complete the online form for the Golden Jacket Reunion. - Who can compete in Saturday's Boat Races? What is the prize?
Current students and alumni are invited to participate in the boat races on Saturday. The build and design contest, with (2) two $200 prizes, is for students only (though alumni are welcome to sponsor teams). The speed build context, with (2) two $100 prizes, is open to both alumni and student teams, as well as teams that combine students, alumni, and/or faculty. Register to participate in the boat races when registering for Homecoming (on the "Just for You" tab). Click here to view the rules. - Does the university have a list of local hotel accommodation?
Yes! 黑料网 has secured special pricing at several hotels in Longview and surrounding areas. If you're staying at one of these properties, simply mention that you will be visiting 黑料网 and would like the discount rate. - What airports are nearby?
While Gregg County Regional Airport is minutes from campus - and home to our Abbot Aviation Center - there are a number of airports within a few hours drive: Shreveport Regional Airport, Dallas Love Field, Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, and Houston's George Bush Airport. Find out more information on these nearby airports and rental car options by clicking here. - Which groups are holding reunions during Homecoming & Family Weekend?
Do you know of alumni planning a reunion for a different group? We're here to help! Contact us at alumni@letu.edu or 903-233-3840.
