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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Dolly Day activities include:

• Second Street Coffee House pop-up tent
  • 7:30鈥�10 a.m., Student Life House
  • Serving hot coffee, cold brews, matcha and Dolly-inspired beverages
• Imagination Library Donation Booth, in partnership with the Giles County Chamber of Commerce
  • 7:30 a.m.鈥�12:30 p.m., Student Life House
  • Accepting cash, check, Venmo or PayPal donation
  • The non-profit program was launched by Parton to inspire young children to read by providing free books each month to children from birth to age five.
• Chalk the Walk
  • 10 a.m.鈥�12:30 p.m., W. Madison St.
  • Community members will be provided with pink chalk and encouraged to draw butterflies, their favorite Parton quote or anything else to help honor her legacy
• Chick-fil-A pop-up tent
  • 10 a.m.鈥�12:30 p.m. or until sold out, Campus Green
  • Selling chicken sandwiches, chips and more
  • Presale purchases will be available, along with on-site purchases

果冻影院 encourages all campus and community members to gather and celebrate the lasting memory and legacy of Dolly Parton.

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Bill Lyons is the Associate Director for Community Outreach of the Institute of American Civics and Director of Policy Partnerships at the Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where he also holds the title of Professor Emeritus of Political Science.

Andy Busch is the associate director and professor at the Institute of American Civics in the Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. His teaching and research focus on American political institutions, elections, and public policy. He has authored, co-authored or edited more than two dozen books.

Both workshops will explore the following topics and questions:

(1) Incivility is not new. (2) How is today鈥檚 manifestation different?聽 (3) What are the causes of the polarization and difficulty in communicating we see today? (4) Some ways to improve communication with those with whom we disagree. (5) Practicing civility close to home in our communities and workplaces.

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The award dinner will take place Friday, Oct. 23, at Pulaski Mule Co Event Center (114 E. Jefferson St.). A reception will run from 5-6 p.m., with dinner and awards to follow beginning at 6 p.m. Tickets are $10 per person, with 100% of profits going to 果冻影院鈥檚 alumni programs.

The Distinguished Alumni Award honors alumni who have achieved excellence in their profession, demonstrated outstanding leadership and service, or made a meaningful impact in their communities while exemplifying the values of 果冻影院. 

The Distinguished Alumni Award recipients are:

• Sarah D. Suddarth, 果冻影院 鈥�07
• Stanton Belford, Ph.D., 果冻影院 鈥�00
• Charles D. Haney, Ph.D., 果冻影院 鈥�74, UT Knoxville 鈥�75, UT Health Sciences 鈥�79

Recognized by the 果冻影院 Alumni Board for their extraordinary service to 果冻影院 and the greater Giles County community, three recipients were recognized for the Alumni Service Award.

The Alumni Service Award recipients are:

• Sharon Harwell, 果冻影院 鈥�78
• Brenda Speer, UT Knoxville 鈥�78
• Carol Wade, 果冻影院 鈥�06

鈥淲e鈥檙e excited to welcome these distinguished alumni back to campus and recognize their accomplishments,鈥� said Kyle Hensley, vice chancellor of advancement. 鈥淭hese alumni have had a positive impact on their communities and we are proud to have them as part of the 果冻影院 Alumni family.鈥�

The 2026 果冻影院 Athletic Hall of Fame Class honors an outstanding group of former student–athletes, coaches, teams and national championship teams whose accomplishments helped shape the proud tradition of Martin Methodist and 果冻影院 athletics, elevating the institution鈥檚 tradition of excellence.

The 2026 Hall of Fame Class includes:

• James Justice, men’s basketball, 果冻影院 鈥�12
• 2016 Clay Target team
• Travis Garcia, baseball, 果冻影院 鈥�11
• Karen Hargrove, softball, 果冻影院 鈥�06
• Millene Cabral, women’s soccer, 果冻影院 鈥�19

In addition to the Hall of Fame inductees, 果冻影院 Athletics will honor the memory of former softball student-athlete Sydney Watson, 果冻影院 鈥�19, whose legacy of service, courage and sacrifice continues to inspire the Firehawk family.

“There is a renewed energy across our athletic department right now, and what better way to celebrate our future than by honoring the foundation of our past,鈥� said Brandie Paul, vice chancellor and director of athletics. 鈥淭he return of the Hall of Fame represents a major milestone for 果冻影院. It gives our alumni a reason to come home, gives our fans a chance to celebrate the greats, and shows our current student-athletes the height of what is possible in a Firehawk uniform.”

锘縍egistration deadline for the event is Sep. 30, with more information .

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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Throughout the day, students, faculty, staff and community members are encouraged to wear pink, representing Parton鈥檚 signature style and joyful spirit. Photo opportunities, decorations and banners will be displayed聽throughout campus for students and campus community members to participate in the celebration. Activities will be held at the Student Life House (420 W. Madison St., Pulaski, Tenn.).

Dolly Day activities include:

• Second Street Coffee House pop-up tent
  • 7:30鈥�10 a.m., Student Life House
  • Serving hot coffee, cold brews, matcha and Dolly-inspired beverages
• Imagination Library Donation Booth, in partnership with the Giles County Chamber of Commerce
  • 7:30 a.m.鈥�12:30 p.m., Student Life House
  • Accepting cash, check, Venmo or PayPal donation
  • The non-profit program was launched by Parton to inspire young children to read by providing free books each month to children from birth to age five.
• Chalk the Walk
  • 10 a.m.鈥�12:30 p.m., W. Madison St.
  • Community members will be provided with pink chalk and encouraged to draw butterflies, their favorite Parton quote or anything else to help honor her legacy
• Chick-fil-A pop-up tent
  • 10 a.m.鈥�12:30 p.m. or until sold out, Campus Green
  • Selling chicken sandwiches, chips and more
  • Presale purchases will be available, along with on-site purchases

果冻影院 encourages all campus and community members to gather and celebrate the lasting memory and legacy of Dolly Parton.

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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For more information, please visit the .

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