The University of Delaware community is gearing up for an exciting week of events celebrating Blue and Gold spirit. Blue Hens are invited to flock back to campus for Homecoming Weekend, Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 19-22, to catch up with friends and watch the Fightin’ Blue Hens battle Morgan State. Plus, the classes of 1972, 1977, 1982, 1987 and 1992 will be celebrating milestone reunion years. The class of 1972 will mark a special 50th reunion, which includes campus tours and a cocktail hour and dinner reception at the Audion on STAR campus. 

Double Dels Kathy Keogh, Class of 1972, and Mike Keogh, Class of 1973, hope to see a great turnout at the 50th reunion, especially because Kathy is a reunion ambassador who helped in the planning of the event.  

“I really enjoyed being a part of my class reunion committee,” Kathy Keogh said. “It made me think about my time at UD and the memories made. It’s fun to think back to when you were there as a student.”

What are they most excited about? Reconnecting with old friends, including Kathy’s art history classmates and Mike’s Theta Chi brothers. Reminiscing about his time on campus, Mike shared one of his fraternity’s traditions.

“One of my fondest memories was meeting my brothers at the fraternity house on Sunday nights in coat and tie and marching down to The Mall (now The Green) to serenade a sweetheart of Theta Chi. I still keep in touch with my fraternity brothers,” he said. 

The Keoghs are also looking forward to the added energy and excitement Homecoming festivities bring to campus. Reflecting on what’s changed since their time as undergraduates, they highlight Main Street’s vibrancy and the University’s expansion in Newark. 

“UD has done a tremendous job,” Kathy Keogh said. “It’s a beautiful campus and I’m always impressed with how well cared for it is. I’m looking forward to the tours during our reunion celebration and seeing the new Whitney Athletic Center.” 

As a retired coach of the UD men’s golf team, Mike has paid special attention to the growth of the UD athletics program and is hoping for a Homecoming victory. He said that there’s an “electricity” to UD’s football team, due in part to the Fightin’ Blue Hens winning streak and the recent hiring of Ryan Carty, a former UD football player, as the new head football coach. 

“He’s someone who bleeds Blue and Gold,” Mike Keogh said. 

Even though the Keoghs don’t have to travel far to attend Homecoming and class of 1972 reunion events, they said the trip is worthwhile for all alumni looking to rekindle friendships and make new memories.

“Living in Newark, it’s like we never left campus. It’s been an extended college stay for 50 years,” Mike Keogh said with a laugh. “People around here are devoted to UD. The connections we made are always much more enhanced at Homecoming.”

For more information about the class reunion events planned for Homecoming Weekend, visit https://www.udel.edu/alumni-friends/homecoming/.