Homecoming Weekend Celebrates Bloomsburg Tradition, Generosity and Husky Pride

CU-Bloomsburg’s Homecoming weekend brought alumni, donors, students, faculty, staff, and friends together Oct. 23–25 for a celebration of the people, generosity, and traditions that continue to shape the Bloomsburg experience. From honoring distinguished alumni and philanthropic leaders to celebrating a historic campaign milestone, dedicating new campus landmarks and cheering on the Huskies, the weekend showcased the lasting impact of the Bloomsburg community.

Friday: Honoring a Legacy of Generosity and Celebrating a Campaign Milestone

Friday’s festivities began with the induction of several distinguished donors into the Bloomsburg University Foundation’s Wall of Distinction, which recognizes individuals and families whose lifetime giving to the university has reached $1 million or more. The honor celebrates their extraordinary generosity and the lasting impact of their philanthropy on Bloomsburg students and programs.

The honorees included Maria Cannon and her sister, Andrea B. Stilger, who were recognized in honor of their parents, Margaret Suchy Baron and Charles Baron, whose legacy continues through their family’s philanthropic support. John Wolak ’83 was also inducted, along with the Rinehimer sisters: Shirley R. (Rinehimer) Leitner ’54, Marilyn R. (Rinehimer) Lehew ’62 and Bonnie K. (Rinehimer) Silvetti ’69.

The evening continued with the Campaign Finale Celebration and dedication of the Steph and Allie Pettit Center for the Arts, marking a major milestone in the university’s philanthropic history. The celebration recognized the successful completion of The Campaign for Bloomsburg: It Starts With Us, which surpassed its $100 million goal a year ahead of schedule.

“Seeing Steph and Allie and all the donors in the room tonight, I’m reminded of the incredible commitment this community has to making sure our students have those same opportunities,” said Commonwealth University President Jeff Osgood. “That means a great deal to me because, at the heart of everything we do here at Bloomsburg, our focus is always on student success. It’s about ensuring our students have the resources, experiences and support they need to earn their degrees and leave here on a trajectory for a meaningful life and career.”

Jerome Dvorak, executive director of the Bloomsburg University Foundation, highlighted the campaign’s tangible impact on students and programs.

“Throughout this campaign, we provided $45.8 million in direct support for Bloomsburg students and programs, including more than $21 million in scholarship support to help thousands of students pursue their education and build their futures. That represents a transformative leap in what our donors are making possible for this university. Every scholarship awarded and every program strengthened reflects your confidence in Bloomsburg and your belief in what we can accomplish for our students,” Dvorak said.

Made possible in part by a transformative $6 million gift from Steph Pettit ’89 and Allie Pettit, the new Center for the Arts represents an unprecedented investment in the arts at Bloomsburg. The dedication celebrated the power of philanthropy to transform campus spaces and create meaningful experiences for generations of students.

Saturday: A Tradition Renewed and New Landmark and a Husky Victory

A Bloomsburg tradition was renewed Saturday when the annual homecoming parade returned after a seven-year absence.

Saturday brought another memorable moment with the dedication of the Rally Statue, a new campus landmark honoring Bloomsburg Director of Athletics Dr. Michael McFarland. Funded entirely through the generosity of Steph and Allie Pettit, the statue recognizes McFarland’s leadership and contributions to Bloomsburg Athletics.

The dedication added another lasting symbol of Husky pride to campus and reflected the Pettits’ continued commitment to the university and its athletic programs.

That spirit carried into the afternoon as the Huskies took the field against Millersville University. In a hard-fought matchup, Bloomsburg came away with a 20-14 victory, giving alumni and fans another reason to celebrate throughout Homecoming weekend.

Sunday: Celebrating Bloomsburg Athletics Legends

Homecoming weekend concluded Sunday with the induction of seven honorees into the Huskies Athletic Hall of Fame, recognizing individuals whose achievements and dedication have left a lasting mark on Bloomsburg Athletics.
The 2026 class included Shanna Fritz ’04, Denise Henderson ’84, Tom McGuire, longtime sports information director; Eric Miller ’00; Steph Pettit ’89; Kelly Reimert ’84; and Brad Rozanski ’96.

The inductees represent the breadth of contributions that define the Huskies athletic tradition, from outstanding student-athlete accomplishments to the leadership and service that support the university’s athletic programs. Their induction celebrated not only individual achievements but also the enduring connections forged through competition, teamwork and a shared commitment to Bloomsburg.

A Weekend That Reflects the Best of Bloomsburg

From the generosity celebrated through the Wall of Distinction and the completion of a transformational fundraising campaign to new campus landmarks, a football victory and the recognition of athletic excellence, Homecoming weekend offered a powerful reminder of what makes Bloomsburg special.

The weekend’s celebrations reflected the deep connections between alumni, donors, students and the university — connections that continue to create opportunities for students, strengthen campus traditions and shape Bloomsburg’s future.

As the university community looks ahead, the spirit of Homecoming lives on through the generosity, pride and shared commitment of the Huskies who make Bloomsburg more than a place to learn. They make it a community that lasts a lifetime.