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The spirit of Western College is alive and well and will be the centerpiece of ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University’s Homecoming celebration. 

The university plans to honor the rich history of Western College with a special Homecoming theme dedicated to the college: “Celebrating the Spirit of Western: A Homecoming for Love, Honor, and Legacy.”

Festivities will take place in Oxford and highlight the incredible past, present, and future of Western College.

“We greatly admire and are inspired by Western College and its graduates,” ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú President Gregory Crawford said. “Western was truly ahead of its time, embodying principles of inclusion, internationalism, and interdisciplinary education. They were fierce trailblazers in social evolution and equality. We are grateful for our meaningful connection and partnership with the Western College Alumnae Association. The spirit of Western will always be alive on our Oxford campus and throughout the ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú community.”

In honor of Western, the ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú football team will also wear special Western College-themed uniforms for the annual Homecoming game against the University of Massachusetts Sept. 28 at Yager Stadium. A Homecoming parade is planned four hours prior to kickoff. Festivities will also include vs. Central Michigan at Millett Hall on Sept. 27, yoga in the park, and a 5K run.

The will be officially welcomed into the ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University Alumni Association during the weekend. This year marked the 50th anniversary of Western College for Women’s final graduating class.

​​“Western College will always hold a special place in our hearts,” University Ambassador Dr. Renate Crawford said. “We are excited to celebrate Western’s tremendous legacy and to continue adding to its powerful, inspiring story. The bond between Western and ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú only gets stronger.”

Founded in 1853 as the Western Female Seminary and renamed the Western College for Women in 1904, the school was renowned as a forward-thinking institution on the forefront of international and multicultural education. Western College for Women closed in 1974, soon becoming part of ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú’s campus, where it housed ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú’s oldest residence-based learning community and division, the School of ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú Studies/Western College Program.

A special ticket package, “4 Love & Honor,” has been created for fans to come back and be a part of this special time at ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú. This package includes a minimum of four tickets, four ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú gifts, and a Brick & Ivy campus store coupon for as low as $112 for the package. Tickets can be purchased at the or by calling 513-529-4295 during ticket office hours.

For more information on Homecoming weekend and how ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú is honoring Western College, visit the “Celebrating Western College” website.

“I can’t wait for 2024 Homecoming when we celebrate Western and bring the spirit of Western to Yager Stadium,” President Crawford said. “It will be an unforgettable, special day.”