Alumni, students, families and friends came together for a memorable weekend of connection, celebration, and Marlin spirit
University News | October 3, 2026
Homecoming and Family Weekend 2026 brought Marlin pride, tradition and new memories to Batten University. From the golf course and Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art to athletic fields, FinFest, the Athletic Hall of Fame and the stage at the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center, the weekend offered something for every Marlin.
During its first Homecoming as Batten University, alumni returned to campus to reconnect with classmates and friends, families joined students in the festivities, and the community celebrated the people, traditions and experiences that make the campus home.
The weekend began on Friday with the 25th Annual Joanne Renn Golf Outing at Cypress Point Country Club. The annual event brought golfers together in support of Marlin Athletics while honoring the legacy of longtime coach and athletic director Joanne Renn-Barnes. The Parents Council also met on Friday for a networking reception and special meeting with President Scott D. Miller, prior to participating in Homecoming and Family weekend festivities.
That evening, alumni, faculty, staff, parents and students gathered at the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art for Marlins Night at the Museum. The Homecoming and Family Weekend kickoff provided an opportunity to enjoy food and beverages, explore the museum's galleries and exhibitions, and reconnect with members of the extended Batten community.
Friday also marked the opening performance of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time at the Joan and Macon Theatre in the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center. The award-winning play by Simon Stephens, based on Mark Haddon's novel, follows Christopher Boone, a 15-year-old math genius whose investigation into the death of a neighbor's dog leads him on an unexpected journey of discovery and courage. Performances continue on Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon.
Students danced the night away at the annual Homecoming Dance, held on campus. Temi Ajibulu and Mason Pifer were crowned the 2026 Marlin Majesties at the event.
A Saturday Filled with Marlin Spirit
Saturday offered a full day of opportunities to celebrate athletic competitions and campus traditions.
The morning began with Alumni Games, bringing former Marlin athletes back to campus to compete alongside old teammates and reconnect through the sports that helped shape their college experiences. Women's basketball, women's lacrosse, men's lacrosse, baseball and softball were all part of the day's alumni competition.
The campus also provided an opportunity to explore its history through If This Ground Could Talk: A Walking Tour of Unrecognized Sacred Spaces from 60 Years of Virginia Wesleyan. Led by Linda Ferguson, Ph.D., Larry Hultgren, Ph.D., and Steve Mansfield, Ph.D., the tour began at Monumental Chapel and concluded in the University Archives in Hofheimer Library, inviting participants to reflect on the people, places and traditions that have shaped the institution over six decades.
The celebration continued at Homecoming FinFest, where Marlins gathered adjacent to Birdsong Field for an afternoon of food, music and fun. Live entertainment by ASTRO DJ provided the soundtrack for a picnic-style lunch, reunion gatherings and the Hoffman Beverage Tent. FinFest offered activities for all ages, including inflatables, axe throwing, a bounce house, complimentary funnel cakes and face painting. Bob's Pop-Up Shop gave attendees the opportunity to take home Marlin gear, with proceeds supporting scholarships, academic programs, student life and The Excellence Fund.
Marlin Athletics Takes Center Stage
Saturday's Homecoming schedule also featured a full slate of Marlin athletic competition. Women's soccer faced Guilford College, field hockey hosted Roanoke College, and men's soccer welcomed the University of Lynchburg.
The weekend's celebration of Marlin Athletics culminated on Saturday evening with the 2026 Athletic Hall of Fame Reception and Dinner, presented by TowneBank. Held in Brock Commons and the C-MAC, the ceremony honored members of the newest Athletic Hall of Fame class, recognizing their contributions to the University's rich athletic history.
Homecoming and Family Weekend concluded on Sunday with Families in Worship at Haygood United Methodist Church. Led by Epworth Campus Ministries, the special service brings families and members of the Batten community together for worship and fellowship.
Across three days, Homecoming and Family Weekend 2026 celebrated the many connections that make Batten University a community: connections between generations of alumni, between students and their families, between Marlin athletes past and present, and between the University's history and its future. From the first tee shot on Friday morning to Sunday's final gathering, the weekend offered an opportunity to come home to create memories, maintain friendships, and experience Marlin pride.