Alumni from Alaska to New York and even Australia returned home to Trinity University October 15-18 for a spirited Alumni Weekend celebration. From exciting athletic competitions to a full-blown county fair, this year's Alumni Weekend was packed with unforgettable moments of renewed connections.
Check out some of the highlights below and view photos from Alumni Weekend 2026.
Connecting Across Campus
Alumni Weekend 2026 began with three of the many events scheduled for the weekend. Trinity’s Department of History celebrated the launch of the Professor Carey H. Latimore IV Endowed Scholarship. Dr. Latimore passed away in July 2022. This scholarship honors his memory as a professor, mentor, and friend.
Faculty and staff who are also Trinity alumni gathered for a casual reception hosted by Chaplain Alex ’08 and Elena ’08 Serna-Wallender, enjoying the chance to connect with colleagues from across campus with shared Trinity roots.
Family, friends, and former student workers thanked Ann Knoebel, former director of Conferences and Special Programs, for the impact she made in so many lives at a special celebratory reception in the Holt Center.
Classes Without Quizzes
Alumni College offered the chance to enroll in four different creative classrooms in the Trinity spirit of lifelong learning with no blue books required! The Trinity Chess Club taught alumni the rules and basic strategy of chess and put their newfound knowledge to the test with open play and puzzles. In the Michael and Noémi K. Neidorff Art Gallery, Art and Art History Professor Liz Ward, MFA, discussed her current exhibit, Still Becoming, a selected survey of works made during her decades-long tenure at Trinity with water, in its many forms, as a recurring theme, both as subject and symbol. Rayas Tlahuitl, Trinity’s student-run Ballet Folklórico dance troupe established in 2024, guided alumni through some introductory steps and shared the culture and history of Ballet Folklórico. Human Communication and Theatre Professor Erin Sumner, Ph.D., led an engaging discussion and dialogue on a key element of civil discourse: conflict communication.
A Lasting Legacy of Loving Service
Contrary to his signature catchphrase, “Baby, I ain’t got no time!”, Levi “Knock” Knight always made time for Trinity’s student-athletes. A one-man operation carrying out the duties of both athletic trainer and equipment manager, Knock gave each student his undivided attention and genuine care from the 1940s through 1990. Now, a tribute wall in the William H. Bell Athletic Center stands as a reminder for future generations of Trinity student-athletes, coaches, and staff to lift one another up and strive for excellence, keeping Knock’s legacy alive for years to come.
Sip, Shop, and Celebrate
At the Trinity Market, students and alumni showcased their wares and networked with those interested in their business or product. Many of the alumni vendors from the Trinity Market are listed in the Alumni Business Directory. Over at the Fiesta Room and its newly renovated patio, alumni enjoyed elevated food and drinks at the Friday Fiesta while connecting with faculty and student representatives, reminiscing about their time on campus and learning about the Trinity of today.
Half a Century of Broadcasting Excellence on the Airwaves
Fifty years ago, a group of students, artists, and visionaries officially flipped the switch at 91.7 FM, launching KRTU into the radio-stratosphere from Trinity. From those initial 10 watts, KRTU has since grown into a trusted cultural voice, passionately championing jazz and indie music, elevating local artists, and deeply strengthening community partnerships and a love for music. During Alumni Weekend, the Department of Media and Communication brought alumni, faculty, staff, and students together for this major milestone outside the KRTU studio at the Ruth Taylor Courtyard, where they reunited with professors, mentors, and classmates with refreshments and live music from a jazz quintet.
Recognizing Outstanding Alumni
Trinity alumni, students, faculty, and staff came together on Friday night in the Ruth Taylor Recital Hall to honor seven Alumni Award recipients. The Alumni Awards Ceremony showcased how these incredible alumni are representing their alma mater in extraordinary ways through their remarkable careers and generous service to the university and their communities. Nominations for the 2027 Alumni Awards are open through December 31, 2026.
Celebrating Our Time: The Campaign for Trinity University
Trinity alumni and friends gathered at the newly renovated Holt Center during Alumni Weekend for a special celebration of Our Time: The Campaign for Trinity University. Following celebrations in Dallas, Austin, New York, Houston, and Denver, the morning brought the excitement of the campaign home to San Antonio. Paul Hensley ’87, president of the Trinity University Alumni Association Board, welcomed guests before President Vanessa B. Beasley, Ph.D., shared Trinity's continued rise in national rankings and inspiring stories of students and faculty who embody the Trinity spirit. Zoe Thompson McDaniel ’93, P’25, P’26, P’28, a member of the Campaign Executive Committee and Board of Visitors, concluded the program, celebrating the generosity and shared commitment of alumni and friends whose support continues to strengthen Trinity and shape its future.
Game Day Energy and Tiger Pride
Tiger Pride filled Prassel Lawn, the Multi-Sport Stadium, and the Lynd-Gardner Hospitality Suite for the Tiger Football Tailgate, sponsored by the Bengal Lancer Alumni Foundation. Live music by Bengal Lancer alumnus Cody Coggins ’09 and band Havoc Wagon, plus tailgate food and drinks, energized alumni and their families as they reconnected and enjoyed the beautiful fall weather. Once the game started, alumni fired up the crowd and cheered loudly for the Tigers. At halftime, Trinity Athletics inducted the 2026 Athletics Hall of Fame class.
A Toast to Reunion Classes
Alumni mixed and mingled in the Center for the Sciences and Innovation Cube before Hensley presented Beasley with a check for $1,153,268.54 on behalf of the reunion classes. The Class of 1981 collected the largest class-giving total, the Class of 2006 brought in the largest number of attendees, and the Class of 1991 tallied the highest percentage of class members who gave a gift. Beasley thanked the reunion classes for their collective support and gave a toast in their honor.
Step Right Up to the Oakmont County Fair
This year’s Block Party transformed the entirety of Oakmont into a bustling County Fair. Up and down the street, alumni and families wandered past festive booths, taking in the colorful sights, sounds of live music by Trinity acts, and tempting smells of mouthwatering food, such as warm churros. In addition to those delicious churros, the Oakmont County Fair served up bacon-wrapped hot dogs, Southerleigh’s chicken sliders, quesadillas, elote, kettle corn, and more! Erica Missey ’96 delighted attendees with caricature keepsakes. Children and adults alike walked the street with balloon art and kept returning to games like Leaping LeeRoy, Our Time Plinko, and the Basketball Pop-Shot with the Trinity basketball teams to earn Trinity-themed prizes. There was even a fun science lesson, with the Trinity Chemistry Club demonstrating how to make chewing gum. Laughter echoed through the crowd as fraternity and sorority alumni reconnected and reunion classes posed for class photos. Blending nostalgia with nonstop entertainment, no one wanted the Oakmont County Fair to come to an end!
Save the date: Alumni Weekend 2027 will be October 21-24!
Editor's Notes: The photo at the top of the story was taken at the Department of Media and Communication's Reception and KRTU 50th Anniversary Celebration on Friday, October 16, in the Ruth Taylor Courtyard.