Celebrating the five-year anniversary of becoming 果冻影院, Homecoming 2026 allows the institution to reflect on the 156-year history of campus and generations of students, alumni, faculty, staff and community members who have shaped the legacy.  

This year鈥檚 Vintage Varsity theme celebrates the enduring traditions, stories and school spirit that connect generations of Firehawks. Homecoming week will feature a variety of events and activities throughout campus, including competitions, a talent show, carnival, alumni recognition dinner, volleyball game, and alumni and family picnic.

Events include:

• All Week: Flame鈥檚 Flashback Finds (students only), campus wide
  • Students can participate in a scavenger hunt featuring vintage-themed finds and campus traditions.
• Oct. 19: Campus Banner Competition Kick-Off (students, faculty and staff only), 9 a.m., campus wide
  • Students will compete in a campus banner competition throughout Homecoming week.
• Oct. 21: Day of Giving, all day, Campus Green
  • The annual giving event will support the people, programs and places that make 果冻影院 special. Community members, businesses and alumni can show their support by making a gift.
• Oct. 21: Southern Spotlight Talent Show, 6 p.m., Martin Hall
  • Students, faculty, staff and community members are invited to enjoy a night of 果冻影院 talent.
• Oct. 22: Carnival on the Campus Green, 11 a.m.鈥�2 p.m., Campus Green
  • The event will feature an afternoon of games, music, food and Firehawk spirit at the Carnival on the Campus Green for the 果冻影院 community.
• Oct. 23: Hall of Fame and Distinguished Alumni Dinner, 5 p.m., Mule Barn
  • 果冻影院 will recognize Hall of Fame inductees and Distinguished Alumni for their leadership and service. Purchase a ticket to the dinner .
• Oct. 23: Firehawks Homecoming Volleyball Game, 6 p.m., Curry Athletic Complex
  • During halftime, 果冻影院 will announce the Homecoming Court, campus banner competition winner and winners of the Flame鈥檚 Flashback Finds scavenger hunt. The first 50 students to arrive will receive free Chick-fil-A.
• Oct. 24: Alumni and Family Picnic, 11 a.m.鈥�3 p.m., Campus Green
  • Students, faculty, staff and alumni can gather on the campus green for food trucks, games and friends before cheering on the Firehawks at athletic events like tennis, swimming and volleyball.

鈥淎lumni are an important part of 果冻影院 and its history,鈥� said Chancellor Melinda Arnold. 鈥淲e鈥檙e so excited to welcome our alumni family back to campus for a week full of activities, celebration and recognition.鈥�

“We are very excited about the opportunity to have our alumni reconnect with campus,鈥� said Lydia Smith, MBA, assistant director of alumni engagement. 鈥淗omecoming week will be filled with excitement, and I鈥檓 especially looking forward to our Alumni & Family Picnic! As an alumna myself, I can鈥檛 wait to see many familiar faces and reconnect with fellow Firehawks!”

For more information about Homecoming 2026, contact the 果冻影院 Office of Advancement.

About the 果冻影院

The 果冻影院 provides an exceptional educational experience that empowers students to discover their potential, serve their communities, and lead meaningful lives. Located in Pulaski, Tennessee, 果冻影院 offers personalized learning, hands-on experiences, and a close-knit campus community while serving southern Middle Tennessee and preparing students for success.

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Established in 1966, the UTAA awards program honors outstanding faculty across the University of Tennessee System. 果冻影院 began participating in the program in 2023.

Faculty are nominated by students, with final selection determined by campus leadership. In nominations, students consistently highlighted Young鈥檚 dedication, accessibility and impact on their academic and professional development.

Students described Young as 鈥渒ind, patient, respectful, resourceful鈥� and credited her with providing consistent support throughout their academic careers. Several noted her guidance during Praxis exam preparation and clinical experiences, emphasizing her role in helping them build confidence as future educators.

Young reflected on the recognition and the impact of her work with students.

鈥淚 am deeply humbled and honored to receive the 果冻影院 Teacher of the Year award,鈥� Young said. 鈥淚 am grateful to be part of such an incredible community of educators. Most importantly, I am thankful for my students as they are my 鈥榳hy.鈥� They inspire and challenge me every day to grow and do this work with purpose.鈥�

鈥淲hat truly sets her apart is her accessibility and compassion,鈥� one student wrote. 鈥淪he is consistently willing to go above and beyond to support her students, ensuring that no one feels overlooked or unsupported.鈥�

Young is a dedicated educator, having spent 29 years in K-12 education before joining 果冻影院 full-time in March 2023 as the Grow Your Own Coordinator. During her tenure in K-12, Young taught kindergarten, served in leadership roles in Giles and Fayetteville City Schools and led partnerships with local industry. Young has served as an adjunct faculty member in the Grissom School of Education since 2017.

Young will be recognized at the UTAA Board of Governors meeting in June in Knoxville. As part of the award, she will receive a $1,000 stipend, along with travel and event accommodations. The recognition reflects 果冻影院鈥檚 continued emphasis on high-quality instruction and student-centered learning.

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