A New Academic Year Is Almost Here
Summer is wrapping up, students will soon be returning to campus, and another exciting fall is right around the corner at Lakeland!
On September 3, we will host our Opening Convocation featuring Megan (Stock) Pickell ’08, MBA ’10 as this year’s speaker. Megan will welcome students back to campus and share her experience and advice as they begin a new academic year.
This event is free and open to students and the public. Alumni interested in attending can email alumni@lakeland.edu to reserve a seat.
Homecoming is One Month Away!
September 25-27, 2026
Homecoming weekend will be here before we know it! Join fellow Muskies back at Lakeland for a weekend filled with opportunities to reconnect, celebrate and make new memories.
Kick Off Homecoming Weekend
September 25-27, 2026
Wine Education Class & Food Pairing
Friday, Sept. 25 | 2–4 p.m.
Lakeland University Main Campus | Location TBD
Join alumna Rebecca (Wierwille) Miller DipWSET ’76 for a guided wine tasting with food pairings. $50 per person includes the tasting, food pairings and a souvenir wine glass.
Alumni Welcome Reception
Friday, Sept. 25 | 6–8 p.m.
The Osthoff Resort | Lakeview Room & Ballroom A/B
Reconnect with fellow Muskies over heavy hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar and great conversation. $25 per person.
Tailgate. Football. Fifth Quarter.
Make a day of it! Join fellow alumni and friends for our Homecoming Tailgate before cheering on the Muskies at the 3 p.m. football game.
Come hungry! The Lakeland Grill will be open from 11 a.m.–1 p.m., followed by the Tailgate Lunch from 1–5:30 p.m. at the south end of Taylor Field. Game Day concessions will also be available, and the Pub will be open from 1 p.m. through the end of the Fifth Quarter.
After the final whistle, stick around for the Fifth Quarter featuring live acoustic music, drinks and another chance to reconnect with fellow Muskies.
2026 Lakeland Athletic’s Hall of Fame
Homecoming weekend is also a time to recognize and celebrate the Muskies who have made their mark on Lakeland Athletics.
See the 2026 Hall of Fame inductees and join us for the Hall of Fame celebration on Sunday, Sept. 27.
Help Make the Lakeland Experience Possible
As a new academic year begins, you can help make the Lakeland experience possible for today’s students.
Gifts to student scholarships help provide greater access to a Lakeland education and create opportunities for students to learn, grow and make their own impact.
Muskies Meet Up: Yard 65 Brewery & Events
On August 15, we headed to Yard 65 Brewery and Events in Kiel for another Muskies Meet Up and had a blast!
Thank you to everyone who joined us, and a special thank you to 2008 grad Corey Petzold for the great hospitality and tour of the brewery!
If you haven’t checked out Yard 65 yet, make sure to stop by and support a fellow Muskie!
Lakeland Ladies Golf Outing
Sip, Swing & Scramble
On July 29, we hosted our first Lakeland Ladies Golf Outing! Thank you to everyone who joined us and to our sponsors for supporting student scholarships.
Congratulations to our winning team: Kristi Bachar ’04, M.Ed. ’14, Sara Kluck ’06, M.Ed. ’11, Stacey Ross and Jenn McCluskey!
Stay tuned for our 2027 date!
Lakeland Athletics Golf Outing
Another great day on the course supporting Muskie Athletics!
Congratulations to the winning team of Kurt Jansen ’15, Brandon Hagenow ’16, Danny Wimmer ’15 and Joey Burris ’15. Thank you to all the alumni and friends who joined us!
Japan 2027: Trip Updates & Q&A
April 4–13, 2027
Experience Japan during cherry blossom season with fellow Lakeland alumni and friends! Our 10-day journey includes Tokyo, Mt. Fuji and Hakone, Kanazawa, Kyoto and a special visit to Lakeland University Japan.
We’ve secured group airfare and are holding additional seats through October 6 for those interested in joining us.
Have questions? Join our next virtual Japan 2027 Q&A on September 10 from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. to hear trip updates and get your questions answered.
Questions? Reach out to Sydney at alumni@lakeland.edu
Have News? We Want to Celebrate You!
New job? Promotion? Wedding? Award? Accomplishment?
We want to hear about it! Submit your update for the opportunity to be featured on Lakeland Alumni social media, in Muskie Pride and in the next edition of Lakeland Magazine.
Upcoming 2026 Events
Sept. 3 – Opening Convo
Sept. 25-27 – Homecoming Weekend