Pacific Index

As Homecoming draws near, Director of Alumni Engagement, Katy Kilsdonk, shares what to expect 

“Part of being an alum is when you graduate, you’re not like no longer here,” says Katy Kilsdonk, Associate Director of Pacific’s alumni engagement, as well as an alumna herself. “You always will have a relationship with the university, and with fellow alumni, and with Boxer community.”

Soon, alumni will pour into Forest Grove to be a part of Boxer community in the flesh. Homecoming is quickly approaching and with it comes many events, games, and activities for alumni and students alike. Kilsdonk has been one of the masterminds behind curating alumni events and preparing campus for the occasion. Her own history at Pacific makes this task extra special. 

“For me especially, attending Pacific University changed my life,” Kilsdonk earnestly admits. As a student at Pacific, Kilsdonk planned events as part of a mission to make students feel more at home. After she graduated in ’15, the position in alumni engagement opened, offering a mission to help alumni feel at home. Feeling it was the perfect role for her, Kilsdonk applied and has been fulfilling that mission ever since. 

Due to her job, Kilsdonk has the unique opportunity to reminisce her college experience often, but not all alumni have the same opportunity. That’s what makes Homecoming such a special time of year. “Coming back here kind of reminds you of who you became while you were a student, and also how it inspired you and what it made you want to become as you moved on past this place,” Kilsdonk expresses. 

To help alumni celebrate and reflect on the good ol’ days, there are a number of events planned. “There’s sporting events that are happening, both football and soccer, there are opportunities for alumni and other individuals to go into the classroom and take part in lectures or experiences, and then there’s a lot of great events for alumni and students to connect in unique ways,” Kilsdonk lists out. Some of the events for alumni and students to attend together are the Soul Food Dinner, Rainbow Reception, All Greek Breakfast, Boxer Garden Tour, and much more. 

Allowing the alumni to connect with current students is a very valuable part of Homecoming in Kilsdonk’s eyes. “It’s where you see your past, and your present, your future– it’s where you build your community and learn more about where you want to go and who you want to be,” she depicts. “You can build relationships, and you can learn more about how other alumni have used their Pacific experience and find ways that you yourself could do that.” 

Students will have no lack of alumni to interact with over Homecoming as the RSVP list has hit over 300 attendees. While there will be alumni from a span of graduation classes, Kilsdonk is especially excited to see some old faces from her class. “It’s actually my ten-year reunion, so I’m excited to see my class,” she shares. “We’ll be having a reunion tailgate at the football game and then we’ll also be having a gathering that evening at the Growler Garage.” 

Another special year to keep a lookout for is the class of ’75. “They’re celebrating their 50-year reunion at Pacific,” Kilsdonk says with enthusiasm. She mentions the tradition of sign-shake-and ring, which each student who attends Pacific does. They sign their names in a book and ring the bell at Old College Hall, which they do again when they graduate. Now, as they return after 50 years, they get to sign their name permanently into the sidewalk on Pacific’s campus. “I think that that, for many alumni, is a huge honor.” 

“I work with the Alumni Board of Representatives,” Kilsdonk shares, highlighting another group of alumni to be conscious of. She shares that the board is hosting a food drive, which they’re inviting all Homecoming guests to participate in, with the hope of filling up the Boxer Food Share. “They’re really excited to hopefully be making a difference with food stock while the alumni are on-campus.” 

There’s obviously no shortage of action to partake in over Homecoming, but the best part will certainly be alumni and students joining to bring Boxer spirit to the max. “Homecoming is for students, it’s for alumni, employees, and all friends of Pacific University,” Kilsdonk emphasizes. “There’s a bit of something for everyone.” 

For those who want to view all Homecoming activities, visit alumni.pacificu.edu.