Alumni returned to Elon University for Homecoming and Reunion Weekend, reconnecting with classmates, celebrating milestones and enjoying a performance by DJ Diesel, also known as Shaquille O’Neal.
Despite rainy weather, Phoenix pride shone through as Elon University welcomed alumni back to campus for Homecoming and Reunion Weekend, Oct. 9-10.
The weekend kicked off with the biggest Homecoming concert artist in university history — at least in height. DJ Diesel, also known as NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, performed a high-energy DJ set for Rock the Block on Young Commons with a crowd of 5,000 alumni, students and community members. The performance included several memorable moments, including fans joining DJ Diesel onstage, among them Elon President Connie Ledoux Book.
“It was the exact same as when we were here,” said Suzanne Wirt ’06, reflecting on the DJ Diesel performance on Young Commons. “He was yelling ‘Hands up!’ at us, and we put our hands up. It was great.”
‘It’s like we never left’
Saturday brought steady rain, but the wet weather did little to dampen the excitement as alumni gathered for food, fellowship and opportunities to reconnect with classmates and friends.
Susanne Wirt ’06 returned to campus to celebrate her 20-year reunion with friends she met during her time at Elon. Two decades later, those friendships remain an important part of her life.
“We’ve been friends forever, and it feels like I would not have met them had I not come to Elon,” said Wirt. “It felt like home when I first walked onto campus, and I was like, ‘OK, this is it. Once I saw Elon, I did not consider other schools.”
For Ann Evory ’86, Homecoming offered an opportunity to reconnect with classmates she had not seen in 40 years.
“All of our kids are grown now, and we’ve started to have grandkids, and it’s a different season of life where we can all be together. It’s like we never left each other,” Evory said.
This year marked the first time sisters Darcy Steele ’91 and Melissa Snyder ’92 returned to Elon together for Homecoming. Both had visited campus in the years since graduation and continued to be impressed by the university’s growth and transformation.
“It’s nice to see, as an alum, that when you’re investing, they actually invest back into the school,” said Snyder, who earned a degree in psychology.
While the campus has changed significantly over the decades, the personal connections and mentorship that define the Elon experience remain familiar to returning alumni.
“I babysat for one of my professors and our professors knew us by name, and it was very cool, because at the time Elon was smaller than the high school I graduated from, so that was a different experience,” said Steele, who earned a degree in education.
Phoenix on the field
On the field, the Phoenix faced the Wofford Terriers in Saturday’s Homecoming football game, falling 16-0. Despite outgaining Wofford, Elon was unable to score in the rainy conditions. The Terriers forced five turnovers and stopped the Phoenix twice on fourth down to keep Elon off the scoreboard.
Homecoming Royalty was also selected during Saturday’s game. The voting process, hosted by the Student Government Association, is designed to honor members of the senior class who have made a significant contribution to the life of the University. Applications are reviewed by a faculty/staff panel nominated by students
The nominees selected—based on their leadership, commitment to service, involvement, and school spirit—serve on the Homecoming Court. Based on a vote of the student body, two members of the court are honored as Homecoming royalty during the Homecoming football game. Selena Bautista ’27 and Trinity Wilson ’27 were crowned Homecoming royalty.
The weekend also brought former Phoenix athletes back to campus, including Robert “Bubba” Burnett ’95, who reunited with fellow members of the Elon football program. Burnett, who earned a degree in psychology, was inducted into the Elon Athletics Hall of Fame in 2004.
“It’s cool seeing everybody from the past,” said Burnett. “You can’t go back, but it seems like we are.”
‘It feels like home’
Other signature events for the weekend included the Golden Alumni Luncheon & Class of 1976 Induction Ceremony, a special Welcome Home College Coffee, along with several Greek reunions and Affinity Network Events.
For Eric Hernandez ’16 and Audrey Bakhach ’16, the weekend marked their 10-year reunion and an opportunity to reflect on how their Elon experiences shaped their lives and careers.
Bakhach, who earned a degree in communications and now owns a marketing agency in Charleston, South Carolina, recalled how her connection to Elon ultimately brought her back to the university after spending her first year of college elsewhere.
“My heart was so set on Elon. For some reason, it just feels right to me,” she said of her college experience. “So, I transferred back in my sophomore year. I loved every minute of it. I wouldn’t change a thing. I’m glad I transferred, and it was always where I had my eyes and heart set, just from the campus and the people.”
Hernandez also credits Elon with helping launch his career in the entertainment industry. In 2016, he was named one of three finalists in the Coca-Cola Regal Films Competition, receiving $15,000 to turn a script into a 30-second commercial. That opportunity helped open doors to work with some of the biggest names in entertainment.
“From there, I’ve worked with companies like PBS, Paramount and Netflix, and I owe that all to my experience here,” he said. “It’s good being back. It feels like home.”
