At USF’s fifth CelebrateUSF, the Hilltop became a meeting place for more than reunions. The 2025 gathering brought together current and former Dons, families, and friends, while also marking the inauguration of USF’s 29th president, Salvador D. Aceves. The four-day event included affinity alumni gatherings, food vendors, music, volunteers, and a Silk Speaker Series program, showing how a university weekend can hold ceremony, culture, conversation, and plain old fun in the same frame (USF’s 5th CelebrateUSF) [1].
CelebrateUSF 2026 runs Thursday, October 22 through Sunday, October 25, and USF says everyone is invited, including alumni, parents, families, faculty, staff, students, and friends (CelebrateUSF) [2]. A point-in-time registration snapshot from a USF presentation reviewed by MFFCE listed 1,986 registrations across alumni and guests, families, students, faculty and staff, friends and community members, and trustees. The snapshot is not an audited final total, but it does show a gathering designed to extend beyond one type of university relationship.
This guide helps Bay Area residents understand what CelebrateUSF offers, choose events that fit their interests, register responsibly, and turn a pleasant weekend connection into meaningful follow-through.
The intended reader is an educated general reader in the Bay Area who wants to participate in university and community life without needing specialist knowledge of USF.
You will learn:
- Which CelebrateUSF events best fit interests in family connection, culture, education, sports, service, or public conversation.
- How the weekend connects to larger questions about access, mentorship, belonging, and investment in students.
- What to do before, during, and after the weekend so participation does not end when the last reception closes.
A weekend built around belonging
USF describes CelebrateUSF as its biggest weekend for alumni and families, held every October. The 2026 program includes reunions, soccer, a campus festival, a Silk Speaker Series conversation, family activities, and more (CelebrateUSF) [2].
That broad invitation matters. You do not need to be a graduate to find a reason to attend. A current student’s family may want to understand campus life. A Bay Area resident may be curious about the university’s educational mission. A mentor may want to learn how students connect with support systems. A neighbor may simply want to share a cultural event with someone who has never visited the Hilltop.
The event is also part of a larger institutional moment. USF reported that its Changing the World From Here campaign raised more than $312 million, surpassing its $300 million goal. The campaign included more than $122 million for scholarships, about $146 million for program support, roughly $42 million for facilities, and support from more than 28,420 individual donors (USF campaign announcement) [3].
Those figures do not answer every question about affordability or student support. They do explain why this year’s gathering carries more context than a standard alumni calendar entry. USF has connected the completion of its campaign with CelebrateUSF weekend programming (USF campaign achievement announcement) [4].
Read the registration snapshot carefully
The registration numbers shared in the USF presentation offer a useful, limited view of who was planning to attend. They are not a final attendance count, and they were not independently audited by MFFCE. Still, the mix is revealing.
| Registration group | Snapshot count | What the participation may signal |
|---|---|---|
| Alumni and guests | 531 [5] | Reconnection remains a central reason people return to campus. |
| Families | 668 [5] | Parents and relatives are a major part of the weekend’s community life. |
| Students | 383 [5] | Current students are not just hosts or subjects of the weekend. They are participants. |
| Faculty and staff | 170 [5] | The people supporting students are part of the gathering too. |
| Friends and community members | 188 [5] | The invitation reaches beyond formal USF affiliations. |
| Trustees and trustee emeriti | 26 [5] | Institutional leadership is represented in the weekend’s wider network. |
| Overall registrations | 1,986 [5] | A broad, multigenerational gathering rather than a single-audience reunion. |
The practical takeaway is simple: choose your purpose before you arrive. Are you there to learn about student life, reconnect with an affinity community, attend a cultural event, meet families, or explore a mentoring conversation? A little intention will make a busy weekend feel less like a scavenger hunt.
USF reported 8,913 students in fall 2024, including 5,321 undergraduates and 3,592 graduate students, with an 11 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio (USF Quick Facts) [6]. Its three-year financial plan reported that first-generation students represented 40.9 percent of the student population as of the fall 2025 census, while the student body represented 45 states and 32 countries (USF Three-Year Financial Plan) [7].
That is the human context behind the schedule. A campus visit is not only a tour of buildings. It is a chance to notice who is present, what questions families bring, and which support systems help students make a complicated place feel navigable.
Find your entry point on Thursday and Friday
The weekend begins Thursday, October 22, with the Mass of the Holy Spirit from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Saint Ignatius Church, 650 Parker Avenue. That evening, the Black Community Reunion, hosted by the Black Alumni Society, runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Sheba Jazz Lounge, 1419 Fillmore Street (CelebrateUSF Schedule) [8].
The Black Community Reunion offers a culturally specific setting for reconnection and conversation. It is hosted at a Black-owned venue in the Fillmore and includes opportunities to meet old classmates, make new connections, and share Ethiopian appetizers (Black Community Reunion) [9].
Friday has several different rhythms. CelebrateUSF registration is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the McLaren Complex Lobby. A campus tour runs from 3 to 4 p.m., meeting at the McLaren Conference Center. The Annual Family Welcome Reception follows from 4 to 6 p.m. in McLaren Complex 252 (CelebrateUSF Schedule) [8].
Families can treat Friday as an orientation rather than a formal program marathon. Start with the tour. Notice where students study, gather, and ask for help. Then use the reception to speak with university leaders, deans, faculty, staff, and other families. USF says students are welcome at the reception with their families, which makes it especially useful for conversations that include the person whose experience matters most (Annual Family Welcome Reception) [10].
Friday evening also includes the Women in Leadership and Philanthropy Networking Reception, the Latine/x Community Reception, a men’s soccer alumni kick-around, and a celebration of 50 years of women’s sports. The Latine/x gathering runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Gleeson Library’s Monihan Atrium (Latine/x Community Reception) [11].
Do not try to attend everything. That is how a meaningful weekend turns into a calendar ambush.
Make Saturday your connection day
Saturday, October 24, offers the weekend’s biggest cluster of public-facing activities. A Big Bus Tour of San Francisco begins at 9:30 a.m. at Fromm Hall. The School of Law Alumni Reunion and USF Celebration begins at 11 a.m. at the Zief Law Library. At 1 p.m., the Welch Field Festival and USF Soccer Doubleheader begin, with the soccer schedule continuing through the evening (CelebrateUSF Schedule) [8].
The Welch Field Festival is the weekend’s easy entry point for people who want a lively, less formal experience. USF describes alumni DJs, Bay Area and alumni food and beverage vendors, family-friendly activities, and a reunion tent for alumni from class years ending in 1 or 6, along with School of Law alumni (Welch Field Festival) [12].
If you want to use the festival as a community-building opportunity, bring one question with you. Ask a student what project or class has stayed with them. Ask an alum which relationship helped shape their path. Ask a family what they wish they had known before a student arrived on campus.
At 4 p.m., the Silk Speaker Series presents Colin Jost at War Memorial Gymnasium in the Sobrato Center. Jost joined Saturday Night Live as a writer in 2005 and has co-anchored Weekend Update since 2014. USF describes him as an Emmy Award-winning writer and comedian whose work turns current events into comedy (Silk Speaker Series Presents Colin Jost) [13].
A recognizable speaker can draw people through the door. The real value depends on what happens after the applause. Comedy can open questions about news, public language, disagreement, and who gets heard. You do not need to treat a comedian as a policy lecturer. You can simply use the program as a prompt for a better conversation on the ride home.
Keep Sunday spacious
Sunday, October 25, begins with the Fun Run from 8 to 9:30 a.m., meeting at Gleeson Plaza. Alumni and Family Mass follows from 10 to 11 a.m. at St. Ignatius Church. Dim Sum with the Asia Pacific Alumni Network runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Harborview, 4 Embarcadero Center (CelebrateUSF Schedule) [8].
Sunday is a useful reminder that participation does not have to look like a formal networking event. Walking, sharing a meal, attending worship, and listening to family stories all count as community life. The Asia Pacific Alumni Network gathering also creates another affinity-based setting for connection beyond the central campus.
For visitors who are not alumni, Sunday may be the least intimidating day to attend. The schedule offers several activities where the point is presence rather than professional positioning. Come with someone. Let the conversation take its own shape.
An illustrative family pathway
Illustrative scenario, not a real named person: Imagine a Bay Area parent whose college student is new to USF and whose family has not yet found a comfortable way to understand campus life. Rather than trying to absorb the entire weekend, the parent registers for the Campus Tour on Friday, October 23, from 3 to 4 p.m., then attends the Annual Family Welcome Reception from 4 to 6 p.m. The tour provides a physical map of the campus. The reception creates a more human map: who leads, who teaches, who supports students, and which other families are asking similar questions.
The parent could arrive with three practical questions: Where should students go when they need academic guidance? Which offices help families understand the student experience? What established opportunities exist for mentoring, student support, or family engagement?
The point is not to leave with every answer. It is to identify the right office and one next step. USF lists Parent Engagement and Philanthropy at 2130 Fulton Street, Lone Mountain Rossi 323, with parents@usfca.edu and (415) 422-4579 (Family Weekend) [14]. The reception itself is designed for families to meet university leaders, deans, faculty, staff, and one another (Annual Family Welcome Reception) [10]. A follow-up message within a week can turn a pleasant introduction into a useful relationship.
The connection to MFFCE’s work
MFFCE is encouraging its community to participate because educational opportunity is not only about enrollment or credentials. It is also about relationships, belonging, cultural exchange, mentorship, and the willingness to ask who is being supported and who may still be missing from the conversation.
MFFCE’s community leadership focus centers grassroots leaders and community-rooted organizations across Oakland and the Bay Area, with attention to education, youth development, civic engagement, health, arts, and economic justice (MFFCE Community Leadership) [15]. MFFCE also maintains an endowed scholarship at USF supporting student leaders (MFFCE Staff, “Backing the People Closest to the Work”) [16].
That connection does not mean MFFCE sponsors, hosts, or funds CelebrateUSF. It means the weekend aligns with questions MFFCE cares about: How do students find support? How do institutions build relationships beyond their usual circles? How can people with knowledge, time, resources, or influence become more useful to the next generation of leaders?
USF also highlights national recognition related to diversity and value, but rankings should never substitute for listening to students and families about their lived experience (USF Fast Facts) [17].
Timeline: from campaign launch to CelebrateUSF 2026
- 2019: USF publicly launches the Changing the World From Here campaign with a $300 million goal (USF campaign announcement) [3].
- 2019: CelebrateUSF begins as a recurring university community gathering connected to alumni, families, students, and friends (USF campaign announcement) [3].
- 2022: USF reports completing the campaign with more than $312 million raised, including more than $122 million for scholarships (USF campaign announcement) [3].
- October 2025: USF’s fifth CelebrateUSF brings the community together for the inauguration of its 29th president, Salvador D. Aceves (USF’s 5th CelebrateUSF) [1].
- August 5, 2026: USF announces the completion of its largest fundraising campaign in university history (USF campaign completion announcement) [3].
- August 12, 2026: USF publishes a milestone recap of the fifth CelebrateUSF and its community participation (USF’s 5th CelebrateUSF) [1].
- August 20, 2026: USF announces campaign achievements in connection with CelebrateUSF weekend programming (USF campaign achievement announcement) [4].
- September 19, 2026: MFFCE reviews a USF planning presentation containing a point-in-time registration snapshot for the 2026 weekend (CelebrateUSF) [5].
- October 22 through 25, 2026: CelebrateUSF 2026 takes place across campus and selected San Francisco venues (CelebrateUSF) [2].
- October 24, 2026: The Silk Speaker Series presents Colin Jost from 4 to 5 p.m. at War Memorial Gymnasium (Silk Speaker Series Presents Colin Jost) [13].
- October 25, 2026: Closing activities include the Alumni and Family Mass and Dim Sum with the Asia Pacific Alumni Network (CelebrateUSF Schedule) [8].
What smart critics argue
“Alumni weekends can feel insular or mainly focused on fundraising.” That criticism is fair. Institutions should not assume that a donor, graduate, or family member is automatically the center of community life. CelebrateUSF’s response is visible in its range of affinity gatherings, including the Black Community Reunion and Latine/x Community Reception, as well as campus tours, family programming, athletics, and public events (Black Community Reunion; Latine/x Community Reception) [9] [11].
“A festival does not solve the affordability problem in higher education.” Correct. A weekend gathering cannot resolve tuition, housing, financial aid, or institutional budget pressures. USF’s campaign included more than $122 million for scholarships, which is a significant institutional investment, but it does not eliminate the need for continued scrutiny of cost and access (USF campaign announcement) [3].
“A celebrity speaker can overshadow substantive educational content.” That can happen. Colin Jost may draw attention because of his television and comedy career, but the weekend also includes a campus tour, Mass, a fun run, soccer, academic and alumni receptions, and affinity community events (CelebrateUSF Schedule) [8]. The sensible approach is to choose the speaker event if it interests you, then balance it with a program that helps you understand student life or community history.
“Family weekends can pressure people to spend money on travel, hotels, and activities.” Also fair. Families should not confuse an invitation with an obligation to build an expensive itinerary. USF publishes a range of registration-based events and offers weekend discounts, including 10 percent off at the bookstore for milestone reunion alumni and 30 percent off Big Bus Tours San Francisco. Check the official registration materials for current requirements and any applicable charges before making plans (CelebrateUSF) [2].
Key Takeaways
- CelebrateUSF runs from Thursday, October 22 through Sunday, October 25, 2026.
- Everyone is invited, including friends and community members who are not USF alumni.
- The registration snapshot showed substantial participation from families, students, and community members, not only alumni.
- Friday is a strong choice for families who want a campus tour and welcome reception.
- Thursday’s Black Community Reunion and Friday’s Latine/x Community Reception offer affinity-based spaces for connection.
- Saturday’s Welch Field Festival is the most informal entry point for music, food, family activities, and conversation.
- The Colin Jost event can be enjoyed as a cultural program without pretending it answers every educational question.
- Sunday’s Fun Run, Mass, and Asia Pacific Alumni Network gathering offer a slower, relationship-centered close.
- USF’s scholarship investment provides important context, but a weekend event cannot resolve every affordability concern.
- The value of attending increases when one conversation receives thoughtful follow-through.
Six practical actions
At work: Share the official CelebrateUSF registration page with a colleague who works with students, families, education, or mentoring. Make the invitation personal rather than forwarding it without context.
At home: Choose one event with a family member or friend. The Annual Family Welcome Reception, Welch Field Festival, and Sunday Dim Sum gathering each offer different ways to participate.
In the community: Register for the Campus Tour or a community reception, and arrive with one question about student support, belonging, or mentorship.
In civic life: Listen for what students and families say about access, support, and opportunity. Let those experiences inform how you think about education policy and community investment.
Follow through: Within one week of meeting someone, send a brief message that names the conversation and proposes one realistic next step.
Extra step: If you have more time or influence, ask USF staff about established mentoring and student support programs before offering to create something new. The most useful contribution may be strengthening a pathway that already exists.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can attend CelebrateUSF?
USF invites alumni, parents, families, faculty, staff, students, and friends. The official event page describes the weekend as open to everyone (CelebrateUSF) [2].
Do I need to be a USF alum?
No. Friends, families, students, faculty, staff, and community members are included in the invitation. You can attend because you are connected to someone at USF, interested in education, curious about campus life, or looking for a thoughtful Bay Area activity (CelebrateUSF) [2].
Is registration required?
Registration is the appropriate starting point for planning. USF lists an online RSVP for the weekend and a registration location in the McLaren Complex Lobby on Friday, October 23. Review the official RSVP page for event-specific requirements (CelebrateUSF RSVP) [2].
What does the weekend cost?
Do not assume one price covers every event. The official materials describe registration, event-specific details, discounts, and applicable charges. Check the RSVP information before making travel or activity plans (CelebrateUSF) [2].
Is the weekend accessible?
The reviewed schedule identifies venues and times but does not provide one complete accessibility guide for every event. Contact the Office of Alumni Engagement in advance to ask about mobility access, seating, communication access, or other arrangements for a specific program (CelebrateUSF) [2].
How do I ask about mentoring or student support?
Ask USF staff which established programs or offices handle mentoring, family engagement, and student support. Do not assume that an informal offer to help is the right pathway. Families can contact Parent Engagement and Philanthropy at parents@usfca.edu or (415) 422-4579 (Family Weekend) [14].
Who do I contact with questions?
Contact the Office of Alumni Engagement at alumni@usfca.edu or (800) 449-4873. The office is located at Lone Mountain Rossi, 2800 Turk Street, San Francisco, California 94118, and lists weekday hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (CelebrateUSF) [2].
Plan your CelebrateUSF visit
Review the official CelebrateUSF registration page, choose one or two events that match your interests, and contact the Office of Alumni Engagement at alumni@usfca.edu or (800) 449-4873 with questions about attendance or access arrangements.
MFFCE is inviting its community to participate as an encouragement to learning, connection, cultural engagement, and thoughtful follow-through. MFFCE does not host, sponsor, or fund CelebrateUSF. We hope you find a way into the weekend that feels useful, welcoming, and grounded in the kind of relationship you want to carry forward.
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Sources
[1] University of San Francisco, “9 Highlights from a Milestone: USF’s 5th CelebrateUSF,” University of San Francisco, August 12, 2026, https://www.usfca.edu/news/9-highlights-milestone-usfs-5th-celebrateusf, Accessed September 19, 2026.
[2] University of San Francisco, “CelebrateUSF,” University of San Francisco, 2026, https://www.usfca.edu/alumni/celebrateusf, Accessed September 19, 2026.
[3] University of San Francisco, “USF Completes Largest Fundraising Campaign in University History,” University of San Francisco, August 5, 2026, https://www.usfca.edu/news/usf-completes-largest-fundraising-campaign-university-history, Accessed September 19, 2026.
[4] University of San Francisco, “USF Celebrates Campaign Achievements with CelebrateUSF,” University of San Francisco, August 20, 2026, https://www.usfca.edu/news/usf-celebrates-campaign-achievements-celebrateusf, Accessed September 19, 2026.
[5] University of San Francisco, “CelebrateUSF Planning Presentation Reviewed by MFFCE,” University of San Francisco, September 19, 2026, internal presentation reviewed by MFFCE, Accessed September 19, 2026.
[6] University of San Francisco, “USF Quick Facts,” myUSF, 2026, https://myusf.usfca.edu/cipe/usf-facts, Accessed September 19, 2026.
[7] University of San Francisco, “Three-Year Financial Plan,” myUSF, March 27, 2026, https://myusf.usfca.edu/sites/default/files/users/harrington/Three-Year%20Financial%20Plan%20FINAL_Remediated.pdf, Accessed September 19, 2026.
[8] University of San Francisco, “CelebrateUSF Schedule,” University of San Francisco, 2026, https://www.usfca.edu/celebrate-usf-schedule, Accessed September 19, 2026.
[9] University of San Francisco, “Black Community Reunion hosted by the Black Alumni Society,” University of San Francisco, 2026, https://www.usfca.edu/event/black-community-reunion-hosted-black-alumni-society/13413595, Accessed September 19, 2026.
[10] University of San Francisco, “Annual Family Welcome Reception,” University of San Francisco, 2026, https://www.usfca.edu/event/annual-family-welcome-reception/13413996, Accessed September 19, 2026.
[11] University of San Francisco, “Latine/x Community Reception hosted by the Latinx Alumni Society,” University of San Francisco, 2026, https://www.usfca.edu/event/latinex-community-reception-hosted-latinx-alumni-society/13172268, Accessed September 19, 2026.
[12] University of San Francisco, “Welch Field Festival,” University of San Francisco, 2026, https://www.usfca.edu/event/welch-field-festival/13319727, Accessed September 19, 2026.
[13] University of San Francisco, “Silk Speaker Series Presents Colin Jost,” University of San Francisco, 2026, https://www.usfca.edu/event/silk-speaker-series-presents-colin-jost/13578009, Accessed September 19, 2026.
[14] University of San Francisco, “Family Weekend,” University of San Francisco, 2026, https://www.usfca.edu/parents/family-weekend, Accessed September 19, 2026.
[15] McFadden-Finch Foundation for Community Enrichment, “Community Leadership,” MFFCE, 2026, https://mcfaddenfinchfoundation.org/program-areas/community-leadership/, Accessed September 19, 2026.
[16] MFFCE Staff, “Backing the People Closest to the Work: Why Flexible Community Investment Matters in Oakland,” McFadden-Finch Foundation for Community Enrichment, September 5, 2026, https://mcfaddenfinchfoundation.org/backing-the-people-closest-to-the-work-why-flexible-community-investment-matters-in-oakland/, Accessed September 19, 2026.
[17] University of San Francisco, “Fast Facts,” University of San Francisco, 2026, https://www.usfca.edu/who-we-are/fast-facts, Accessed September 19, 2026.
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