The weekend of Homecoming draws in Illini fans of all ages, as well as alumni who return to support their Fighting Illini. The University annually invites its alumni back for Homecoming to reminisce on their college years and reconnect to their alma mater.

Throughout the years, there have been specific alumni that are highlighted as “highly accomplished in their field,” said Lynn Chaney, associate director of the alumni relations for the Alumni Association. Referred to as “comeback guests,” these individuals spend two days on campus visiting classes, attending meetings and participating in Homecoming events.

Alumni are also invited to attend the association’s annual post-game party in the Alice Campbell Building. An estimated 600 to 700 alumni are expected to attend this year. Included in the celebration are food, games, a student band and giveaways.

The association is joined by other departments in welcoming back alumni. This year, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, or LAS, will host a Homecoming bash for alumni who graduated from the college. It will take place from nine to 11 a.m. in the Gateway Building. Along with a breakfast buffet, “we have a big, orange Block I that we ask the alumni to sign, with their name and year of graduation,” said Deb Kimme, associate director of alumni relations and special events for the College of LAS.

Alumni will also have the chance to recall the University as they remember from their time spent here as well as learn about recent changes in an interactive display.

“We’re going to showcase some of the projects and work we’ve been doing around the campus,” Kimme said.

With construction on Lincoln Hall underway, old slate roof tiles from the building are not reusable. The College is currently inviting alumni and other donors to purchase old roof tiles as keepsakes. All proceeds will go to the Lincoln Hall Scholarship Fund, a scholarship to be founded for students with unmet financial need as well as merit.

The College of Business has also prepared special festivities for those returning to the University. Every year, they host a “Business Bash” at the Business Instructional Facility. About 175 people are expected to attend, said Paula Besson, associate director of alumni affairs for the College of Business.

To accommodate guests to the University, the Champaign County Convention and Visitors Bureau has been working with local hotels in order to create a calendar of events.

“Our goal is to help get more people down here,” said Cory Hatfield, sales director at Champaign County Convention & Visitors Bureau. “This is a huge weekend for hotels in the county … which is great for the community.”

Through such events, Chaney said she hopes that alumni will continue to keep alive the Homecoming comeback tradition.

“We want the alumni to remain connected with U of I,” Kimme said.