Events > Homecoming | Florida Tech

Schedule of Events and Activities

All experiences are open to alumni, students, staff, faculty and Panther families.

Wednesday, October 15

Time	Event	Location
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.	Family Weekend Check-In	Denius Student Center
7:00 p.m.	Men’s Soccer vs. Nova Southeastern University	Rick Stottler Field
8:00 p.m.	Battle of the DJs	Gleason Performing Arts Center

Thursday, October 16

Time	Event	Location
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.	Family Weekend Check-In	Denius Student Center
5:30 p.m.	HOCO 2 Miler Run/Walk	Panther Plaza
6:30 p.m.	Global Bites with ResLife	Residence Quad

Friday, October 17

Time	Event	Location
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.	Family Weekend Check-In	Denius Student Center
6:00 p.m.	HOCO Carnival	Crawford Green
6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.	Alumni Awards Gala	Clemente Center

Saturday, October 18

Time	Event	Location
8:00 a.m., 8:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.	Botanical Garden Tours	Starts in Panther Plaza
8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.	Esports Expo	Esports Center
9:00 a.m.	Men’s Lacrosse Scrimmage	VTC Field
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.	"Winning Through Uncertainty" with Sam Goodwin	Gleason Performing Arts Center
4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.	Party on the Green	Crawford Green
Panther Paths
7:00 p.m.	Hangar Hangout	Florida Tech Aviation
7:00 p.m.	Women’s Soccer vs. Florida Southern College	Rick Stottler Field
7:00 p.m. - reception 8:00 p.m. - curtain	College Players Presents: Tuck Everlasting LIVE	Gleason Performing Arts Center
7:00 p.m.	Mertens Meetup	Mertens Marine Operations Center
10:50 p.m.	Club Ice Hockey vs. University of South Florida	Space Coast Iceplex

Sunday, October 19

Time	Event	Location
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.	Panther Family Brunch: Muffins, Mimosas & Memories	Panther Dining Hall
11:00 a.m.	Homecoming Mass	All Faiths Center

Alumni Awards Gala

Theme: "Innovation In Bloom"

A Night of Connection and Celebration Honoring Our 2025 Alumni Award Winners

The Alumni Awards Gala celebrates the Jerome P. Keuper Distinguished Alumni Award winner, the GOLD Ad Astra Alumni Award winner, ten Alumni-Owned Businesses and one Outstanding Alumni Award winner from each academic college. Reconnecting, reminiscing, cocktails, dinner, awards, live music and dancing make this event the highlight of HOCO 2025. Gather your friends, family and colleagues and get your tickets for an unforgettable evening!

Gala admission includes:

Cocktail hour
Three-course dinner
Alumni awards program
Live music & dancing, featuring Paradigm Party Band
Professional photography (complimentary photos available for download following the event)

Event Details

Date: Friday, Oct. 17

Time: 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Location: Charles and Ruth Clemente Center for Sports and Recreation

RSVP: Tickets must be purchased by Oct. 3.

Dress: Black Tie Optional (Dress to impress and have fun with this year's theme, "Innovation in Bloom!")

Tickets: $150 (Tickets available soon!)

Sponsorships for the Alumni Awards Gala start at $500—contact alumni@fit.edu for more details on how to get involved.

2025 Alumni Award Winners

Jerome P. Keuper Distinguished Alumni Award

Duane DeFreese '81 M.S., '88 Ph.D.

GOLD (Graduate of the Last Decade) Ad Astra Alumni Award

Warren Pittorie '15, '18 M.S., '22 Ph.D.

College of Aeronautics Skurla Outstanding Alumni Award

James Blackford '85 A.S., '85

HOCO Sponsors

Florida Tech extends its sincere gratitude to all of our 2024 HOCO Sponsors and welcomes renewed support from our friends and partners for HOCO 2025!

Save the Date: Oct. 15-19

Alumni Awards Gala

Schedule of Events and Activities

Wednesday, October 15

Thursday, October 16

Friday, October 17

Saturday, October 18

Sunday, October 19

Alumni Awards Gala

Theme: "Innovation In Bloom"

A Night of Connection and Celebration Honoring Our 2025 Alumni Award Winners

Event Details

2025 Alumni Award Winners

Jerome P. Keuper Distinguished Alumni Award

GOLD (Graduate of the Last Decade) Ad Astra Alumni Award

College of Aeronautics Skurla Outstanding Alumni Award

Nathan M. Bisk College of Business Outstanding Alumni Award

College of Engineering and Science Outstanding Alumni Award

College of Psychology and Liberal Arts Outstanding Alumni Award

HOCO Sponsors

2024 HOCO Sponsors

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