Class of 1976
Come Home to Olivet
We are pleased to invite the Class of 1976 to participate in a pre-50th year class reunion during the Commencement weekend activities at Olivet this spring. The Alumni Office is excited to host you on May 8-9, 2026, for a weekend of nostalgia, fellowship and a celebration of the next class of proud Olivetians!
Connecting with friends and touring the campus will certainly bring back fond memories from your time as a student at Olivet. Although the campus has seen quite a few changes over the past 50 years, the core mission of preparing young adults for lives of Christian service remains. Your lasting legacy will be evident as you lead the Class of 2026 in their march into Centennial Chapel for Olivet’s 113th Commencement Ceremony.
Here is the tentative schedule for our time together:
Friday, May 8th
- 5:45 p.m. – Gather together for dinner at College Church of the Nazarene University Avenue, to fellowship together and celebrate your class milestone.
- 7:30 p.m. – Join the ONU Class of 2026 for Olivet’s 113th Baccalaureate Service in the Betty and Kenneth Hawkins Centennial Chapel. This is an inspirational celebration featuring outstanding music and a message from our University President, Dr. Gregg Chenoweth.
Saturday, May 9th
- 7:45 a.m. – A reception hosted by the ONU Alumni Association will be held at College Church, with breakfast served. Your academic regalia for Commencement will be available for you to pick up at this time, and personnel will assist you in preparation for the line of march. A class photo will also be taken.
- 9:15 a.m. – Class members will be escorted to the line of march in full academic regalia. Because of the sheer number of guests on campus for Commencement, any spouses who are not part of the Class of 1976 will be seated in a reserved section.
- 9:30 a.m. – March with the Class of 2026 in Olivet’s 113th Commencement activities.
Immediately following the Commencement Ceremony
Enjoy a private luncheon in the President’s Dining Room at the Ludwig Center. Following lunch, our formal activities will conclude.
We also have a limited number of hotel rooms reserved for the weekend. Payment will be due upon your arrival at the hotel.
Our sincere hope is that you will join your class council and other members of the Class of 1976 for our Commencement activities in May. It will be a joy to celebrate and honor you and your class — as well as the long line of alumni who have so faithfully supported Olivet and contributed to its unique mission!
Please use the link below or call 815-939-5258 to RSVP today! We hope to have all responses by March 4th if at all possible. We are excited to have you on campus once again!