Fordham University’s Rose Hill campus came alive on Oct. 17 through 19 as students gathered for the annual Homecoming Weekend, a celebration that transformed the Bronx campus into “a small village having a celebration in the middle of the Bronx,” according to Heidi Camano-Lucero, FCRH ’26.

The weekend’s events kicked off Friday night with the President’s Ball, followed by Saturday’s 5K Ram Run, tailgate festivities and the homecoming football game. For many students, the events offered more than just entertainment. 

“They provided a sense of belonging and community which is central to Fordham’s mission of cura personalis, or care for the whole person,” said Clovis Decarvalho Jr., FCRH ’26, a student employee for the Office of Student Involvement, who organizes the events.

Camano-Lucero attended her first President’s Ball as a first-year and returned for her final one this year. Though she wished she could have attended every year, Camano-Lucero said she appreciated how the weekend reinforced Fordham’s community values.

“[The event] brought back a lot of nostalgia and it made the night feel alive,” Camano-Lucero said.

Camano-Lucero also explained why she enjoys homecoming weekend and events like the President’s Ball.

“I think the importance of homecoming weekend is really for the school as a whole to acknowledge its special qualities of togetherness and family like energy,” she said. “These types of events help all students feel that they are part of the Fordham community.”

The Saturday tailgate proved to be a highlight for many students, including Decarvalho, who attended for the first time this year after skipping it previously.

“I’m so grateful that I went this year because I did have a lot of fun,” Decarvalho said. “I suggested to everyone to start off their day there just because you get to meet everyone and there’s a lot of friendly people who will have you over at the tailgating event, and you will get a bunch of free food and make a bunch of new friends.”

For transfer students like O’Dell Holland Fincher Jr., FCRH ’26, Homecoming Weekend offered a unique lens through which to view Fordham’s campus culture. Having experienced life at another institution, Fincher noticed something distinctive about Fordham’s approach.

“One thing I did this year that I didn’t do last year was attend more of these events,” Fincher said. “As a transfer student, it’s been interesting to see the differences between colleges and what each one values.”

What stood out most to Fincher was Fordham’s commitment to bringing students together. 

“At Fordham, I’ve noticed a strong emphasis on community; they’re always hosting events to bring students together, whether it’s the entire class or specific grades,” he said. “Going to so many senior events and seeing how many more are planned really shows how much Fordham values keeping its community close.”

But Fincher’s connection to Fordham runs deeper than his transfer student experience. As a third-generation Ram, Homecoming Weekend held special significance that bridged past and present.

“I feel like homecoming is a crucial part of attending Fordham,” he said. “Seeing how many people take pride in the school from alumni filling the tailgate lot, eager to talk with current students, to the energy surrounding the football game really showed me what makes this place special.”

The weekend’s careful attention to inclusivity also resonated with Fincher. 

“In between the tailgate and the game, Fordham hosted events through various clubs to make everyone feel welcomed and included, which I really appreciated,” he said. “Even after the game, walking down Arthur Avenue and seeing alumni and students celebrating together felt like being part of something bigger; a culture that can’t and shouldn’t be replaced.”

For students, Homecoming Weekend represents something deeper than social gatherings; it embodies Fordham’s commitment to community.

“It’s just like a unity kind of thing, especially with the whole school being cura personalis, which means for the better of the whole,” Decarvalho said. “It just really brings everyone together, especially the seniors with the people in the real world that they have already experienced and are going through what they’re about to go through.”

The weekend also served as a bridge between current students and alumni, reinforcing the lasting bonds formed at Fordham. Students consistently reported that their friends enjoyed the events and felt welcome, with activities available at every corner.

As the weekend concluded, students left with renewed connections to their campus community and memories that will last well beyond their time at Fordham.