With a presidential inauguration, Homecoming Weekend and first Norbertine Heritage Ball anchoring the programming, weeks don’t come much bigger than our Oct. 8-15 festival. We hope as many of you as possible will join us!

Biggest Heritage and Homecoming Week Ever Centers on Presidential Inauguration

It’s a big one! This year the college keeps not one, but two of its eight presidents top of mind as it celebrates a heritage that encompasses nine centuries of Norbertine history and the 119 years since its own founding by a young Norbertine priest.

As usual, Heritage Week honors the college’s founder and first president on Founder’s Day, Oct. 10. But this year, the festivities also encompass the Oct. 11 inauguration of the college’s eighth president and second alumnus president, Brian Bruess ’90. 

It’s Homecoming, too. And the week dances to an end with the first annual Norbertine Heritage Ball. But that’s not all! Read down our calendar – and select a few events to mark on your own!

Heritage Week

Sunday, Oct. 8

• The week of festivities opens at a 7 p.m. Mass to be followed by Light up the Campus, a prayerful candle-lit ceremony when the flag will be raised over Main Hall and flood-lighting turned on to illuminate its façade.

Monday, Oct. 9

• President Brian Bruess ’90 is reportedly showing good form in the run-up to the Cannonball Contest, 7 p.m. at the new campus swimming pool. Rumor has it that other faculty and staff members will join student competitors in this fun event.

Tuesday, Oct. 10

• An 8 a.m. Founder’s Day Breakfast (registration required) and 11:30 a.m. birthday party for St. Norbert College, celebrating 119 years of leadership in Catholic higher education.
• First lady Carol Bruess ’90 meets the women of campus at a 3:30 p.m. reception (invitation only).
• A Norbertine Heritage and SNC History Trivia Contest in Michels Commons, 5:30 p.m., tests the knowledge of the entire St. Norbert community.
• A 7 p.m. concert in Walter Theatre features Street Corner Symphony. Tickets are complimentary, but required.

• 12:30 p.m. Mass of Celebration at St. Norbert Abbey.
• 2:30 p.m. Presidential Inauguration.

• The Alumni Awards Dinner (invitation-only) gives the wider community of St. Norbert College the privilege of honoring the achievements of its graduates and their commitment to the Norbertine mission.
• A pep rally and bonfire get everyone ready for the Homecoming game.

Saturday, Oct. 14

• The Silver Knight Induction and Class of 1992 reunion brunch begin at 10 a.m.
• Tailgating for the football game, starting at 11:30 a.m., features the annual chili cook-off.
• The 1 p.m. Homecoming game against the University of Chicago is followed by a DJ, food truck and festivities.
• The Hall of Fame Banquet takes place at 6 p.m.
• The Norbertines of St. Norbert Abbey invite you to the first Norbertine Heritage Ball, starting at 7:30 p.m.

• 10 a.m. Mass and brunch wraps up the week. Brunch ($7 per person) will be served in Michels Commons from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.