Come home, Marlins, and celebrate the first Homecoming as Batten University
University News | September 15, 2026
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In less than a month, alumni, families and friends will return to campus for a weekend of tradition, celebration and Marlin spirit as Batten University hosts its first Homecoming and Family Weekend, October 2–4.
While the University’s name is new, the traditions and connections that have brought generations of Marlins together remain at the heart of the celebration.
“Homecoming has always been about returning to a place that holds part of our story, reconnecting with the people who helped shape it, and celebrating the traditions that bind generations of Marlins together,” said President Scott D. Miller. “This year, that connection is especially meaningful as we carry forward more than six decades of University history while welcoming Sentara College of Health Sciences alumni into our extended Batten family.”
The weekends kicks off on Friday morning when the 25th Annual Joanne Renn Golf Outing will take place at Cypress Point Country Club. The event supports Marlin Athletics while honoring the enduring legacy of longtime coach and athletic director Joanne Renn-Barnes.
Friday evening, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, an award-winning play by Simon Stephens based on Mark Haddon’s novel will open at the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center. The production follows Christopher Boone, a 15-year-old math genius whose investigation into a neighbor’s dead dog leads him on an extraordinary journey of discovery, courage and understanding. The production runs Friday through Sunday.
Also on Friday evening, the weekend continues with Marlins Night at the Museum: Homecoming & Family Weekend Kickoff at Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art on Campus. Alumni, families, faculty, staff and students are invited to gather for an evening of connection and conversation, with food and beverages and an opportunity to explore the museum’s galleries and current exhibitions. The evening offers a chance to reconnect with fellow Marlins and officially kick off Homecoming and Family Weekend.
Register for Marlins Night at the Museum
Saturday, October 3, will bring alumni, families and friends together on campus for the annual FinFest picnic and athletic games, followed by an evening celebrating the newest members of the 2026 Marlins Athletic Hall of Fame.
This year’s Hall of Fame class includes Brittaney Brown Kovacs, Jessica Goldyn ’21, Nicholas Pappas ’14, Khory Moore ’17, the 2021 NCAA Division III National Championship Softball Team, and benefactor Michael R. Rawls ’91.
Register for the Hall of Fame Dinner by September 18
From reconnecting with classmates and friends to celebrating Marlin Athletics and welcoming a new generation of Batten University alumni and families, Homecoming and Family Weekend offers an opportunity to honor the past while looking toward the future.
The name is new, but the welcome home is as warm as ever.
Save the date and join us October 2–4 for the first Homecoming and Family Weekend as Batten University.