Homecoming 2025 redefines the tradition with an elevated Pirates Island experience with Escape alumni concert, The Color Purple stage play, The Hampton Alumni Exchange, and the Reunion Block Party.
HAMPTON, Va. (September 19, 2025) – Hampton University President Darrell K. Williams is calling alumni, family, friends, and the greater Hampton community to rally behind a powerful theme for Homecoming 2025: “Come Back, Give Back.”
This year’s celebration reimagines Homecoming as more than a reunion, but as an invitation to recommit to Hampton’s legacy of excellence by ensuring its next 100 years of transformation and impact.
“Homecoming has always been a time of reunion and joy,” said President Williams. “This year, we’re linking that joy to purpose. We’re asking our alumni and friends not just to come back, but to give back, so Hampton can continue to transform lives and communities for the next 10 generations and beyond.”
Giving with Purpose
Homecoming is a treasured tradition, but at Hampton, it’s also a major fundraising moment. Ticket sales and participation fees are intentionally structured to fuel:
- Student scholarships
- Academic programs and research
- Infrastructure improvements
- Student-centered initiatives
“Alumni, community, and corporate support of Homecoming 2025 is essential,” said Dr. Marc A. Newman, Chief Advancement Officer. “When you come back and give back, you weave your financial footprint into the fabric of Hampton’s future.”
Unlike many institutions that track giving primarily by dollars raised, Hampton emphasizes alumni participation percentage—a more powerful measure of commitment. According to U.S. News & World Report (2024), Hampton ranks 13th in the nation for alumni giving participation, with nearly one-third of alumni contributing each year. That generosity far exceeds the national average of 7.7%.
The Call to Action: Come Back, Give Back
Alumni and friends are encouraged to attend, participate, and spread the giving tradition across their networks.
“Every ticket purchased, every dollar given, every connection made during Homecoming moves Hampton closer to sustained excellence,” President Williams added. “Together, we ensure Hampton remains an anchor institution that inspires excellence globally.”
From the Gridiron to the Waterfront: A Signature Hampton Experience
From the electricity of the football game to the soulful power of the marching band, Hampton Homecoming vibrates with history and pride. Among its most celebrated traditions is The ESCAPE Alumni Remixer, now a signature highlight of the weekend.
What began as a small DJ gathering has evolved into an immersive shoreline celebration featuring national artists, live stages, lounges, and thousands of Hamptonians and guests along the Elizabeth River. In 2025, Hampton is partnering with Richmond-based JMI to elevate The ESCAPE experience, ensuring it reflects the prestige and exclusivity synonymous with the Hampton brand.
“Every touchpoint, from ticketing to hospitality, will be designed to enhance the customer journey and reinforce Hampton pride,” said Kenneth Johnson, CEO of JMI. “Our partnership is about ensuring alumni see themselves in Hampton’s legacy and as a major investor in its bold, modern trajectory.”
Streamlined Access: One-Stop Ticketing
For the first time, Hampton launched a comprehensive ticketing hub, making it easy for alumni and friends to secure passes to all Homecoming events in one place. Every purchase directly contributes to Hampton’s advancement priorities.
Featured events include:
- Escape Alumni Reunion Concert at the Banks – featuring Wyclef Jean, Wale, the legendary Zapp Band, Brownstone, DJ Envy, and DJ Bree
- The Color Purple – staged by the Hampton Players
- The Reunion Block Party – celebrating Hampton pride at Armstrong Stadium
- The Hampton Alumni Exchange – student–alumni dialogue exchanging ideas, advice, and inspiration
- Vendors Bazaar – highlighting Black-owned and Hampton-affiliated businesses while advancing Hampton’s Look for the Label licensing initiative
For a full schedule of Homecoming 2025 events, visit https://home.hamptonu.edu/homecoming/
Elevating Hampton’s Legacy
Homecoming 2025 is expected to draw more than 10,000 attendees—alumni, students, faculty, staff, families, and friends—coming together to celebrate Hampton’s past, present, and future. By marrying purpose with celebration, Hampton transforms Homecoming into more than a tradition. It becomes a rallying point for unity, a stage for innovation, and a powerful reminder that every Pirate – past, present and future – has a role in shaping the university’s enduring mission.
Hampton University: A National Leader in Research, Innovation, and Opportunity
Hampton University is a prestigious Carnegie R2-designated research institution, nationally acclaimed for its pioneering work in atmospheric science, cancer treatment, and aerospace. With an annual economic impact of $530 million across the region and the Commonwealth of Virginia, Hampton stands as a powerful engine of innovation, workforce development, and inclusive economic growth.
Consistently recognized for academic excellence and transformative outcomes, Hampton ranks in the Top 10 HBCUs by U.S. News & World Report, was recently named one of the “Best Colleges in America” by Money magazine, and honored as the “Best Private College” by Coastal Virginia Magazine.
Founded in 1868, Hampton University is a proud, close-knit, vibrant community of scholars, representing nearly every 44 states and 32 territories. With a legacy rooted in empowerment and education, the university is committed dedicated to fostering intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and global citizenship, preparing students to lead with purpose and integrity in a rapidly evolving world. Learn more at: www.hamptonu.edu
For media inquiries, please contact Richelle Payne in the Office of University Relations at universityrelations@hamptonu.edu.
