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Florida Tech HOCO 2025
Featured Events Full Schedule Alumni Awards Gala HOCO Sponsors

Save the Date: Oct. 15-19

Florida Tech invites alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends to celebrate HOCO 2025—a week of Panther pride and campus tradition. From spirited gatherings and special events to reconnecting with old friends, homecoming unites Panthers from around the globe. Join us!

Alumni Awards Gala

The Alumni Awards Gala is the signature event of the week! Enjoy an elegant evening of cocktails, dinner, awards ceremony, live music and dancing. This year's gala theme, Innovation in Bloom, will celebrate the vibrant fusion of technology and creativity at Florida Tech.

HOCO 2-Miler

Join us for the HOCO 2-Miler run/walk through Florida Tech’s beautiful campus. Every participant gets a commemorative race t-shirt and top finishers take home a custom HOCO 2025 medal!

Register for the Race
Party On The Green

Party on the Green offers the perfect way to experience the heart of Homecoming in a lively, laid-back setting. Join us for food and drinks, a variety of family-friendly activities and live music.

Let's Party!
Featured Speaker

Join us for "Winning Through Uncertainty" with Sam Goodwin—bestselling author, entrepreneur and world-traveler—who will share his remarkable story of resilience. Pre-order Goodwin’s book at samrgoodwin.com to have it signed after the lecture!

Get Tickets
Panther Paths

A choose-your-own adventure evening. Join us for the Sand on the Beach Social, Women's Soccer Game, Tuck Everlasting Live presented by the College Players, or a fun-filled night at the Mertens Marine Operations Center.

Choose Your Path
Florida Tech Homecoming 2025 Schedule

Schedule of Events and Activities

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

Most HOCO activities are free and open to attend. Ticketed events requiring payment are marked with an asterisk(*).

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. Sand on the Beach Social Sand on the Beach
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 

Get Alumni Awards Gala Tickets

*Please note: The Alumni Awards Gala is limited to guests age 21 and up.

2025 Alumni Award Winners

Jerome P. Keuper Distinguished Alumni Award

Duane E. De Freese '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 "Jim" L. Blackford '85 A.S., '85

Nathan M. Bisk College of Business Outstanding Alumni Award

Joan Higginbotham '92 M.S., '96 M.S.

College of Engineering and Science Outstanding Alumni Award

Kristin Kopperud '17 Ph.D.

College of Psychology and Liberal Arts Outstanding Alumni Award

Jordin T. Chandler '19

 

HOCO Sponsors

Florida Tech extends its sincere gratitude to all of our 2025 HOCO Sponsors!

Become A Sponsor

Sponsorship Sign-Up Form

Sponsorship Details

Anne Allan Group
Melbourne Orlando International Airport
Florida Tech

150 W. University Blvd.
Melbourne, FL 32901

(321) 674-8000

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