The action-packed weekend starts here! Catch up with old classmates over breakfast and celebrate this year’s honorees.
Friday, November 7 | 8 a.m.
Student Union Memorial Center - North ballroom
For questions, contact engrdev@arizona.edu or call 520.626.1741Registration closed. Didn't register in time? Come to the event to pay at the door!
Kick off your Homecoming weekend where every college and generation of Wildcats come together to reconnect, reminisce and raise a glass. Enjoy great food and a lively outdoor setting just steps away from the bonfire - your first drink is on us! Celebrate with your fellow Class of 1975 and Silver & Sage Society friends. Tickets are $10.
Friday, November 7 | 6 to 8 p.m.
Communication Building Lawn
1103 E University Blvd
Friday, Nov. 7 | 2 to 4 p.m. | 715 N Park Ave
Stop by the Engineering Design Center during our drop-in hours to explore this innovative makerspace where UA engineering students practice hands-on learning. Registration is not required.
Remember those days of friends, food, and fun before the big game? Relive those memories with your fellow alumni at the annual College of Engineering tailgate tent.
Saturday, November 8 | 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The University of Arizona Mall (east side of Old Main)
For questions, contact engrdev@arizona.edu or call 520.626.1741Registration closed. Didn't register in time? Come to the event to sign up there!
Get ready to cheer on the Wildcats as they take on the Kansas Jayhawks in a thrilling matchup! Connect with fellow engineering alumni, students, and faculty for a day filled with school spirit, camaraderie, and fun. Whether you’re reliving old memories or making new ones, this is the perfect opportunity to show your Wildcat pride!
Saturday, November 8 | 1:30 p.m.
- Economy Group Option: $36 per ticket (South End Zone, Section 17)
- Value Group Option: $27 per ticket (200s Sections)
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KEYNOTE SPEAKER 'Stars and Stripes in Orbit: Partnering to Preserve and Strengthen Space'Jessica Schafer (BS aerospace engineering, 2002) |
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ADVOCACY AWARD ONeal, a professor of practice and former director of U of A’s software engineering program, is a major proponent of STEM as a tool for career success. She spent 35 years at Raytheon, an RTX Business, where she directed more than 550 engineers and became the first female senior fellow engineer. Drawing on that experience, she built the Bachelor of Science degree in software engineering from the ground up. ONeal has also endowed the Wildcat Engineering Trailblazer Scholarship and founded the Math Science and Technology Funfest in 2003, which has reached more than 75,000 K-12 students. She also serves on the board of directors of the Southern Arizona Research, Science and Engineering Foundation. |
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BEAR DOWN AWARD McDonald spent 40 years in the semiconductor industry, including serving as chief operating officer and board member for Intense Photonics, a semiconductor laser design and manufacturing company. He also ran JDS Uniphase Netherlands as president and CEO. Since 2016, he has mentored more than 30 Interdisciplinary Capstone teams to success at Craig M. Berge Design Day, with many projects focused on biomedical engineering. In June 2025, he and his wife, Sherry McDonald, committed $1 million to fund scholarships and BME capstone projects. |
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PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD David Shilliday (BS mechanical engineering, 1994) Vice President & General Manager, Honeywell Aerospace Shilliday leads Honeywell Aerospace's Advanced Air Mobility unit as vice president and general manager, guiding the company's work in drone systems and urban air mobility. He has steered the unit to secure more than $10 billion in contracts with partners including Archer Aviation, BETA, Wisk and Vertical Aerospace. Now he's strengthening Honeywell's ties with the University of Arizona, building research partnerships with the College of Engineering that span aerospace, autonomy and advanced technologies. |
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ALUMNI OF THE YEAR Gray started at Tucson Electric Power in 1994 as an engineering student and collegiate swimmer. Over three decades, she rose to president and CEO of TEP, UniSource Energy Services and their parent company, UNS Energy Corporation. She now chairs The Chamber of Southern Arizona's board to steward economic development and serves on boards for the Southern Arizona Leadership Council and the University of Arizona's College of Engineering and Eller College of Management. Gray helped found Women in Energy, a company group that develops, mentors and inspires women in the energy industry. |
For College of Engineering Homecoming information, contact Development at engrdev@arizona.edu.Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering Facilities Tour
Friday, Nov. 7 | 10:30 a.m. to noon | AME Courtyard
Join us for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour, where cutting-edge research in hypersonics, turbulence, robotics, and aerospace technology comes to life in state-of-the-art labs like the BLST, ISWT, and APWT.You'll explore high-performance wind tunnels, precision machine shops, and autonomous robotics facilities—all actively supporting Department of Defense projects and student innovation.
The tour also includes a showcase of student clubs like Baja Racing, Wildcat Formula Racing, and AIAA, celebrating the bold creativity of the next generation of engineers; space is limited, so early sign-up is encouraged.
Contact: Ami Jones | amijones@arizona.edu | 520.621.1256
AME Engineering Homecoming Lunch
Friday, Nov. 7 | noon to 1 p.m. | AME Courtyard
Join the AME community for a fun BBQ-style lunch bringing together alumni, students, faculty, staff, and families for good food and great conversation.Reconnect with old friends, build new relationships, and network with fellow AME Wildcats across generations.
Meet current students, faculty, and staff, hear what’s new in AME, and celebrate the engineering excellence and innovation that unite us.
Contact: Ami Jones | amijones@arizona.edu | 520.621.1256
Applied Research Building: A Guided Tour of Innovation
Friday, Nov. 7 | 1 to 2 p.m.| ARB (1420 E. Helen St.)
The Applied Research Building (ARB) is a state-of-the-art facility designed to support University researchers and industry partners in space assembly, integration testing, and mission operations.It houses some of the most advanced testing infrastructure available on campus, including the largest university-owned and operated thermal vacuum chamber, structural dynamics and vibration testing, an EMC and antenna measurement anechoic chamber, and high bay integration facilities.
The ARB enables end-to-end development and testing for a wide range of aerospace and engineering missions.
Tours are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Sign up early; space is limited.
Children under 10 must always be under adult supervision.Contact: Ami Jones | amijones@arizona.edu | 520.621.1256
CHEE Lab Tours
Friday, Nov. 7 | 11 a.m. to noon | Harshbarger 118A2
Kim Ogden, CHEE Department Head, will meet with alums and friends for a brief update on department news, followed by an engaging tour of the labs.Contact: Holly Altman | 520.621.2591 | haltman@arizona.edu
Centennial Awards Luncheon
Friday, Nov. 7 | 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. | Arizona Sands Club, 565 N. Cherry Ave., Skybox Suites Lounge
Join us as we honor the accomplishments of CAEM alumni and special guests. This event is open to all. Tickets must be purchased in advance. There are no refunds. Pre-payment required. SOLD OUT - wailist available.
Contact: Jennifer Kruse | jkruse@arizona.edu
CAEM BBQ
Saturday, Nov. 8 | 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. | Civil Engineering Building Courtyard
Annual Homecoming BBQ for CAEM alums, industry partners, and other invited guests.Registration required by Thursday October 30.
Contact: Jennifer Kruse | jkruse@arizona.edu
Distinguished Alumni Awards
Raymond J. Oglethorpe, president of Oglethorpe Investments, former president and CEO of America Online Inc. (AOL) and electrical engineering alumnus (BS 1966), and Sundararajan Sankaranarayanan, distinguished engineer of storage at Micron Technology and electrical engineering alumnus (MS 2001, PhD 2006), will be honored.Friday, Nov. 7 | 10:15 to 10:30 a.m. | Grand Challenges Research Building, Room 130, 750 North Cherry Avenue
Distinguished Lecture
Mark Pierpoint, executive emeritus consultant for Keysight Technologies, presents "From Rocks to Recommendations."
Friday, Nov. 7 | 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. | Grand Challenges Research Building, Room 130, 750 North Cherry AvenueContact: Keli Brinke | kbrinke@arizona.edu
Registration closed.
Graduate Student Poster Session and Lunch
Graduate students showcase their research in an interactive forum. Awards include Best Poster, Best Poster Design Concept, Best Demonstration, People’s Choice, and IAB’s Outstanding Poster.
Friday, Nov. 7| 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. | Grand Challenges Research Building Lobby
Contact: Keli Brinke | kbrinke@arizona.edu
Registration closed.
MSE Potluck
Saturday, Nov. 8 | 11 a.m. | Applied Research Building, 1420 E. Helen St.
Potluck event for MSE alumni, faculty, students, and staff. Tours of the research facility labs will be given to attendees.Contact: Elsa Morales | elsam@arizona.edu
W.C. Lacy Distinguished Lecture
Friday, Nov.7 | 4 to 5 p.m. | Center for Creative Photography
Guest Speaker: Pat Risner, South32 Hermosa President
Join the School of Mining Engineering and Mineral Resources for the annual W.C. Lacy Distinguished Lecture with a reception to follow. Visit the event page for more information. Please contact Denise Sandoval if you’d like to register.Contact: Denise Sandoval | midsandoval@arizona.edu
Grad SlamX Poster Presentation 2025
Friday, Nov. 7 | 10 a.m. to noon | Old Engineering Courtyard
SIE Grad Students present their research in a friendly poster presentation competition.Contact: Mia Schnaible, mias@arizona.edu, 520-621-6551
SIE BBQ 2025
Friday, Nov.7 | noon to 2 p.m. | Old Engineering Courtyard
SIE alums and friends are welcome to join us for our annual BBQ.For questions or dietary restrictions, please contact: Mia Schnaible, mias@arizona.edu, 520-621-6551
Learn more about Class of '75 Reunion events. Make sure to visit the Homecoming Hub reunion page.
You can make a gift in honor of your class, a cherished professor or your favorite program.
