Ouachita to hold Homecoming & Family Weekend October 7-10
September 23, 2026
- Chase HartsellOuachita Baptist University will host its Homecoming & Family Weekend from Oct. 7-10, featuring nightly performances of the 48th annual Tiger Tunes.
The festivities will begin with a Tiger Tunes show on Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 6:30 p.m. Performances start at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday. Tiger Tunes will close on Saturday, with two shows at 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. All performances will be held in Jones Performing Arts Center. A livestream of Saturday’s late show will be available through Tunescast 2026, sponsored by the Ouachita Campus Store and produced by Ouachita Student Media.
Hosted by the Ouachita Student Foundation, Tiger Tunes is an annual musical competition featuring social clubs and organizations from across campus. The event raises more than $200,000 for student scholarships each year.
The 48th annual Tiger Tunes features five shows from Oct. 7-10 in JPAC.
Photo by Mckinley Melcher
“With local churches and schools hosting clubs’ practices and the overall buzz that radiates out from campus, Tiger Tunes takes over the town in the best way,” said Blaise Batson, a political science and Spanish double major from Arkadelphia, Arkansas. “I have many fond memories of watching the show when I was younger and experiencing the energy like no other that Tunes brings.”
That familiarity has made Batson’s role as OSF special events chair and student director of Tiger Tunes all the more meaningful.
“Being the student director of Tiger Tunes is the most rewarding position I have ever held,” Batson said. “To facilitate the process of growing each individual show from an idea into a full performance is both exciting and fulfilling, and I cherish the connections I’m able to form due to this role.”
Before Thursday’s show, Trucks & Tunes! invites guests to enjoy dinner from local and regional food trucks between 5th and Ouachita Streets from 4:30-7:30 p.m. There will also be a reception celebrating the 2026 Ouachita Alumni of Distinction Award recipients. Honorees include Rick Briscoe, Doug Hibbard, Jenifer Kendrick, Carmen Lane, Rebecca Sanders and Gus Williamson.
On Friday, alumni can join students, faculty, staff and prospective students and their families for the Purple Plaza Party from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in Grant Plaza and on the campus lawn. Amenities include games and activities planned by campus clubs and organizations, live music, a pep rally and a BBQ lunch. Ahead of Friday night’s Tunes performance, there will be a Ouachita Family Reunion Dinner in Tiger Alley at 6 p.m. The meal celebrates the classes of 1976, 1986, 1996, 2006 and 2016, but all classes are welcome.
Ouachita’s homecoming football game versus SNU kicks off at noon on Saturday, Oct. 10 at Cliff Harris Stadium.
Photo by Joshua Rhine
Saturday’s activities will begin with the Tiger Fest! Tailgate & Brunch from 9-11:30 a.m. at Kluck Pavilion. Pregame activities, including the presentation of the Homecoming Court and the crowning of the 2026 Ouachita Homecoming Queen, will commence at 11:30 a.m. inside of Cliff Harris Stadium. Kickoff against Southern Nazarene is slated for noon. Immediately after the game, guests can attend a lawn party at Cone-Bottoms Hall before heading to the Homecoming Street Festival, which will be held in Tiger Alley from 4-8:30 p.m.
Volleyball will host conference matches at Sturgis Physical Education Thursday at 6 p.m. and Friday at 5 p.m. The men’s and women’s Tigersharks are set to welcome Oklahoma Christian to Waggoner Pool for a meet on Friday at 3 p.m. The women’s soccer team will face East Central at Kluck Field Saturday at 1 p.m. Additional athletic events and reunions for teams, clubs and other campus organizations will be held throughout the weekend.
“Ouachita Homecoming feels more like a family reunion than a class reunion,” said Anna Roussel, director of alumni relations and OSF. “Whether you’re connecting with a lifelong friend or meeting someone new, there’s an instant bond that ties our alumni together. It’s a distinct joy you can sense across campus the entire week, and I think that’s why this week is so important to our campus. People truly feel like they’re coming home.”
A limited number of seats may be released for select shows during the week before Homecoming. To check ticket availability and learn more about this year’s shows, visit obu.edu/tunes. For a full schedule and additional information about Homecoming & Family Weekend, visit obu.edu/homecoming or contact the Office of Alumni Relations at [email protected].
Lead photo by Joshua Rhine
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