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Collage of faces of UDC and text reading Firebird Reunion

UDC Homecoming

A Firebird Reunion

Homecoming 2024

It was a fiery Firebird Reunion! The University of the District of Columbia’s Homecoming 2024, held Nov. 9-Nov. 16, honored UDC’s proud legacy as the District’s only public university and the nation’s second-oldest HBCU. To celebrate, we invited every member of our community—alumni, current and prospective students, faculty, staff, families, friends and neighbors—to join in honoring our past and revving up for our future. 

This year’s festivities included a Royal Coronation and Ball, a fashion show in Lamond-Riggs, an alumni basketball game in Van Ness, and much more. Here’s a look back at our incredible week! 

2024 Schedule of Events  Alumni Award Recipients  Give to UDC

We went. We listened. We danced!

Homecoming Silent Headphone Brunch and Day Party

The silent headphone brunch and day party might have started off as a question mark, but by the end, everyone understood the assignment as they moved and grooved to their own beat. The only question at the end: When can we have the next one?

Three djs in a darkly lit room.
A group of people dancing in a darkly lit room wearing glowing headphones.

Can I get an amen?

Homecoming Worship

Nineteenth Street Baptist Church welcomed us with open arms as we gathered at this historic house of worship. Considered the first and oldest Black Baptist church in the District, Nineteenth Street Baptist Church was the perfect place to spend our Sunday. 

19th Street Baptist Church original building

The original site of Nineteenth Street Baptist Church.

Choir singing in a church
Nineteenth Street Baptist Church

Nineteenth Street Baptist Church, Photo by Farragutful, own work, CC BY-SA 3.0

President’s Faculty and Staff Events

As a token of his appreciation, President Edington held several receptions for staff and faculty members across campuses. Tasty food and laughter were abundant. And of course, no party is complete without the electric slide!

President Edington standing at a podium with a coffee cup in his hand, speaking.
A group of UDC staff people doing the electric slide.
Two UDC staff people sitting at a table, eating breakfast and smiling.

Career Fair

UDC students and alumni conversed with over sixty of the nation’s most sought-after employers, including the CIA, Pepco, DC Public Schools, the National Labor Relations Board, and others. The fair was a great way for Firebirds to connect with job and internship opportunities. 

People talking with potential employeers at a career fair
People talking with potential employeers at a career fair

Coronation, Ball and Royal Luncheon

Coronation follows a century of tradition at HBCUs during which students share their joy, beauty, culture and identity. Hailing from Jamaica to Nigeria to Washington, D.C., the UDC Royal Court members displayed their style, grace, and determination to serve their fellow students. 

The previous Mr. and Misses UDC walking into the theater wearing royal attire.
The new Mr. and Misses UDC being crowned.
A woman and a man in formal attire and crowns.
A woman and a man in formal attire wearing crowns.

Homecoming Barbecue and Firebird Festival

There is nothing like a good barbecue, and Homecoming was no exception. Delicious aromas and music filled Heritage Hall as folks enjoyed funnel cake, fried Oreos and fellowship. 

UDC 2024 lit up with balloons around
People standing at a table ready to serve BBQ
Woman standing in front of a sign that says They Not Like Us
Man standing at a Palmers kiosk
Young man wearing a crown and holding up his hand.
Woman standing a table of tshirts talking to another woman on the other side of the table.

Turn. To. The. Left … and Werk!

Fashion Show

UDC students dazzled their way down the runway as they strutted their stuff in fiery fashion-forward fits at the Lamond-Riggs Campus.

Three women in a fashion show.
Young man in a fashion show.
Young woman wearing a hijab in a fashion show.
Three young women sitting in an auditorium smiling.
A group of people dancing in the seats of an auditorium.
A group of people posing in a fashion show.

Just call him “coach!”

Alumni Events: Happy Hour, Reception and Basketball Games

President Edington’s coaching skills were on full display as he led a UDC men’s alumni team during back-to-back alumni games that also featured coaches Leon Cunningham (Class of ’98, Athletics Hall of Fame ’24), Lillian McGill Green (Class of ’11, Hall of Fame ’23), and Lester “Jay” Butler (former head women’s UDC basketball coach, current head men’s coach at Virginia Union University). 

A group of women standing around a table making sorority hand signs.
Two people smiling. One is holding an award.
A group of women making sorority hand signs.
Coach Edington watching the alumni basketball game.
UDC alumni playing basketball in a gym.
Coach Edington coaching the alumni basketball game.

Strategic Plan Launch

UDC officially launched its new five-year strategic plan, Delivering on the Promise, during the Firebird Reunion celebration. The event included university stakeholders, students, faculty and distinguished speakers, including UDC President Maurice D. Edington and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser.

A woman and a man sitting on chairs on a stage having a public discussion.
Delivering on the Promise
A group of people standing on a stage wearing business attire smiling.

Homecoming Basketball Games and Tailgate

Those who returned home to the Nest were happy they did! Attendees had a blast attending the exhilarating men’s and women’s games, and The Nest tailgate party was one for the books. It was the perfect opportunity to catch up with old friends and make new ones with food, music and entertainment.

Man making a fraternity hand sign.
Four men standing outside smiling and making fraternity hand signs.
Two women standing outside wearing red and gold outerwear.
UDC women's basketball team playing a game in a gym.
Four people wearing red leotards in a gym.
UDC men's basketball team playing a game in a gym.
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