- Welcome
- Highlights
- Registration
- Go-Kart Races
- Cardboard Boat Races
- Schedule
- FAQ
Mark your calendars to join us for our 80th! Homecoming & Family Weekend (October 1–3, 2026) will be full of spectacular activities. This weekend is specifically designed for both our alumni and our current students and their families. Whether building your first relationships with the LETU family or reconnecting with longtime friends, this is the event for our faculty and staff and their families, our alumni, and our entire student body and their families.
We look forward to Go-Kart Races, Drone Races, the Academy of Engineering & Engineering Technology, Alumni Chapel, Cardboard Boat Races, Rope Pull, and more. This is a momentous Homecoming & Family Weekend you don’t want to miss!
We welcome back our Golden Jackets as we celebrate 50 years with the Class of 1976! Make sure to update your information for the Golden Jacket Memory Book.
Review of 2025
Revisit highlights from last year’s Homecoming & Family Weekend.
Saturday Morning
Planes & Pancakes
Whether you are a pilot, an aviation enthusiast, or simply ready for a great breakfast, you are invited to spend Saturday morning at the Abbott Aviation Center.
Enjoy the pancake breakfast, support LeTourneau University’s Precision Flight Team, and explore the Abbott Aviation Center through guided tours.
A LeTourneau Tradition
Go-Kart Races
The Automotive Society will once again host the Homecoming go-kart races. Alumni, students, faculty, and staff are invited to participate in the Stock or Open class competitions or cheer on the teams from the sidelines.
Time trials will take place Saturday morning, followed by qualifying heats and final races Saturday afternoon.
Select the Go-Kart Races tab above for race classes, schedules, rules, and registration information.
Weekend Highlights
Thursday, October 1
- Community Prayer in Speer Chapel
- Science & Faith Seminar
- Academy of Engineering & Engineering Technology Banquet
Friday, October 2
- Coffee with the President
- Homecoming Chapel
- Golden Jackets Luncheon
- Campus and Academic Tours
- Baseball Home Run Derby
- Dinner on the Patio
Saturday, October 3
- Planes & Pancakes at the Abbott Aviation Center
- Bodacious Bar-B-Q at the Pond
- Cardboard Boat Races and Rope Pull
- Kids Zone in the Dome
- Go-Kart Finals
Homecoming & Family Weekend
Register for 2026
Let us know you’re coming and select the meals, activities, and special events your group plans to attend during Homecoming & Family Weekend.
Register NowHaving trouble opening the registration form?
Already Registered?
Manage Your Registration
Review your order, update attendee information, or make changes to your selected Homecoming events.
Edit RegistrationNeed assistance?
Contact the Alumni Relations Team at 903-233-3840 or alumni@letu.edu.
A LeTourneau Tradition
Go-Kart Races
The Automotive Society invites alumni, students, faculty, and staff to compete in the annual Homecoming Go-Kart Races.
Teams may compete in either the Stock Class or Open Class, with time trials Saturday morning and the heats and final races Saturday afternoon.
Competition Divisions
Race Classes
Stock Class
Predator 212cc or Briggs & Stratton 206cc engines.
Open Class
Up to 250cc four-cycle, 125cc two-cycle, or 5 kW electric.
Saturday Events
Race Schedule
Morning
Time Trials
9:30–11:00 a.m.
Afternoon
Heats and Final Races
2:00–5:00 p.m.
Before You Race
Review the Race Regulations
All participating teams are responsible for reviewing the official race regulations before registering and arriving on race day.
View Race Regulations
Team Entry
Register Your Team
Go-kart team registration is $50 per team. Only one person from each team needs to complete the race-registration portion of the Homecoming & Family Weekend registration form.
During registration, select the Go-Kart Races option and provide the requested team and race-class information.
Register a TeamRegistration Instructions
- Begin the Homecoming & Family Weekend registration form.
- Add at least one adult or LETU student to the registration.
- Locate the Go-Kart Races option in the event-selection portion of the form.
- Select either the Stock Class or Open Class.
- Enter the requested team information and submit the remainder of the Homecoming registration.
Need help registering your team? Contact the Alumni Relations Team at 903-233-3840 or alumni@letu.edu.
A Homecoming Favorite
Cardboard Boat Races
Students and alumni are invited to build a boat, gather a team, and take part in one of LeTourneau’s most entertaining Homecoming traditions.
Teams may choose between the Pre-Build and Speed Build competitions, with prizes awarded for both speed and design.
Build in Advance
Pre-Build Competition
Teams may construct their boats before Homecoming and bring the completed boat to the race. Teams are responsible for providing their own building materials.
Prize Categories
- Fastest Boat — $200 prize
- Best Design — $200 prize
Build on Race Day
Speed Build Competition
Teams will have three hours on race day to design and construct their boats. All required building materials will be provided.
Prize Categories
- Fastest Boat — $100 prize
- Best Design — $100 prize
Saturday at the Pond
Race Information
Time
1:00 p.m.
Location
The Pond
Participation
Students and Alumni
Team Entry
How to Register
Boat-race teams will register through the Homecoming & Family Weekend registration form. Only one person from each team needs to complete the race-registration portion.
During registration, select the Cardboard Boat Races option and choose the competition category your team plans to enter.
Register a TeamRegistration Instructions
- Begin the Homecoming & Family Weekend registration form.
- Add at least one adult or LETU student to the registration.
- Locate the Cardboard Boat Races option in the event-selection portion of the form.
- Choose either the Pre-Build or Speed Build competition.
- Enter the requested team information and submit the remainder of the Homecoming registration.
Questions about the boat races? Contact the Alumni Relations Team at 903-233-3840 or alumni@letu.edu.
THURSDAY
Registration and check-in are available from 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. in the Allen Family Student Center. View campus maps.
11:00 a.m. | Community Prayer | Speer Chapel
Led by our Campus Pastor and LSM student leaders, take advantage of this opportunity to gather with others and pray for LeTourneau University.
11:00 a.m. | Science & Faith Seminar | Glaske C101
Discover how science and Christian faith work together through thought-provoking presentations that inspire curiosity and deepen our understanding of God's creation.
12:00 p.m. | Will & Estate Advisory Sessions | Free
Are you interested in creating or updating your will, estate plan, or legacy plan? Schedule a private consultation with Foundation President Tom Bevan to discuss how thoughtful legacy planning can benefit you and your spouse.
To learn more before your meeting, visit LeTourneau Foundation Legacy Planning.
2:00 p.m. | Meet & Greet | AFSC Commons Area | Free
Reconnect with fellow alumni and parents in the Allen Family Student Center.
5:00 p.m. | Academy of Engineering & Engineering Technology Banquet | AFSC Great Room | $75
Since 2018, the Academy of Engineering and Engineering Technology has recognized engineering alumni who are leaders in their respective fields and disciplines. Seating is limited.
6:00 p.m. | Alumni-in-Action Dinner | Corner Café | Free
Are you participating in Alumni-in-Action by sharing in classes on Thursday or Friday? Join the Alumni Advisory Council for dinner—a great opportunity to connect and our way of thanking you for giving back to LeTourneau during your time on campus.
FRIDAY
Registration and check-in are available from 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. in the Allen Family Student Center.
9:00 a.m. | Coffee with the President | AFSC Great Room
Join President Steven Mason as he shares campus news and updates covering LeTourneau's students, legacy, and God's sovereign and gracious hand in accomplishing our mission.
10:35 a.m. | Homecoming Chapel | Belcher Center | Free
Worship, celebrate, and be encouraged in your faith as we gather for this year's alumni-led Homecoming & Family Weekend chapel.
11:45 a.m. | Golden Jackets Luncheon | AFSC Great Room | $15
Celebrate the 50th reunion of the Class of 1976 and its induction into the Golden Jackets.
12:00–4:00 p.m. | Legacy Experience | AFSC Media Room
2:00 p.m. | Campus Tour with Dr. Terry Zeitlow | AFSC Commons
2:00 p.m. | Center for Bioethics & Human Dignity Seminar | HHH 104
5:00 p.m. | Dinner on the Patio | AFSC Patio | $16
Join us for dinner, games, food, and festive fun. Play a round of cornhole, catch up with longtime friends, or enjoy a variety of activities as alumni, families, students, staff, and faculty come together to celebrate.
6:30 p.m. | Baseball Home Run Derby | Conrad Vernon Field
Take a look at last year's derby here.
7:18 p.m. | Acousticafé | AFSC Patio
SATURDAY
Registration and check-in are available from 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. in the Allen Family Student Center.
8:00 a.m. | Planes & Pancakes: Pancake Breakfast | Abbott Aviation Center | $10
Support LeTourneau University's Precision Flight Team and its competitions throughout the year by participating in this beloved annual favorite.
8:00 a.m. | Abbott Aviation Center Tours | Free
Tour the Abbott Aviation Center, including the recent R.G. plane display. Tours are offered every half hour, with the final tour beginning at 9:30 a.m.
9:30–11:00 a.m. | Go-Kart Time Trials | Glaske Labs
Carrying on a legacy that began in the 1970s, cheer on this year's go-kart teams as they race for placement in the afternoon qualifying races.
10:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m. | Kids Zone in the Dome | Air Dome | Free
Cool off inside the new Air Dome, where children can enjoy inflatables, participate in races for prizes, and experience virtual reality.
11:00 a.m. | Drone Races | Intramural Field | Free
Join us near the Pavilion, just south of Glaske, for drone races sponsored by the LeTourneau Model Aviation Club. Open to the public.
12:00–1:45 p.m. | Bodacious Bar-B-Q | Basketball Pavilion | $15 Adult, $8 Child
Mingle with others while enjoying some of the best barbecue in Longview.
1:00 p.m. | Cardboard Boat Races & Intersociety Rope Pull | The Pond | Free
Alumni, parents, and students are invited to gather around the pond and cheer for their teams during these classic campus competitions.
View the Boat Race Rules. Alumni may field a team or join a student team in the speed-build or pre-build competitions. Floors, societies, and clubs are encouraged to participate.
1:00–4:00 p.m. | Red Dirt Rumble | Glaske South Lobby
Watch LeTourneau students compete against colleges and individuals from across Texas in a smaller-scale robot battle. The LETU Robotics Club hosts the Red Dirt Rumble in its custom-built Glaske arena, featuring remote-controlled robots equipped with spinning blades, beaters, and other weapons.
1:30–4:30 p.m. | Homemade Ice Cream | Glaske South Parking Lot | $5
Enjoy homemade ice cream provided by Little Green Ice Cream Machine.
2:00 p.m. | Go-Kart Qualifying & Final Races | Glaske Labs | Free
Cheer on student and alumni go-kart teams during the final fall races, sponsored by the Automotive Society.
4:00 p.m. | The Endowed Heritage Dinner | AFSC Great Room
Join us for a celebration recognizing endowment holders and student recipients to discover how generosity fuels dreams and changes lives.
7:00 p.m. | Crowder Concert | Belcher Center
Helpful Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to some of the most common questions about Homecoming & Family Weekend. If your question is not answered here, contact the Alumni Relations Team at 903-233-3840 or alumni@letu.edu.
Why is Homecoming & Family Weekend in October rather than April?
Homecoming & Family Weekend is designed to reconnect alumni with one another while also welcoming new students and their families into the LeTourneau community. A fall Homecoming provides that opportunity earlier in the academic year and helps avoid the weather challenges often associated with April.
What about Hootenanny?
Hootenanny Weekend, including the annual talent and variety show, will continue to take place in the spring. Homecoming & Family Weekend and Hootenanny Weekend provide two distinct opportunities each year for alumni, families, students, faculty, and staff to gather and celebrate.
How do I register for Homecoming & Family Weekend?
Select the Registration tab above to register each member of your group and choose the meals, activities, and special events you plan to attend.
I have already registered. How do I make changes?
Use the edit link included in your confirmation email or locate your registration online. You may also contact the Alumni Relations Team at 903-233-3840 for assistance.
What does it cost to attend Homecoming & Family Weekend?
Most weekend events are free. Some meals, banquets, and student-group fundraisers have an additional cost.
Please register even if you are attending only free events. Registration helps the university plan appropriately for attendance, seating, meals, activities, and supplies.
I am a 1976 graduate celebrating my 50th reunion. Where do I complete the Golden Jacket form?
We are excited to celebrate the Class of 1976 and welcome its members into the Golden Jackets. Please complete the Golden Jacket response form.
Who can compete in the Cardboard Boat Races?
Current students and alumni may participate in the boat races. Competition categories, team requirements, prizes, rules, and registration instructions are available in the Cardboard Boat Races tab above.
Only one person from each team needs to complete the boat-race portion of the Homecoming registration form.
Does the university provide information about local hotels?
Yes. LeTourneau University has arranged special rates at selected Longview-area hotels. Mention that you are visiting LeTourneau University when making your reservation.
Which airports are near LeTourneau University?
East Texas Regional Airport is only minutes from campus. Additional options within driving distance include Shreveport Regional Airport, Dallas Love Field, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, and George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Visit the travel information page for more details.
Which groups are holding reunions during Homecoming & Family Weekend?
Reunion information will be added as plans are confirmed. Alumni organizing a reunion for a class, floor, society, club, academic program, athletic team, or other group may contact alumni@letu.edu or call 903-233-3840.
Still Have Questions?
Contact Alumni Relations at alumni@letu.edu or 903-233-3840.
