The 2025 homecoming bonfire, with its sparks arcing into the sky and scattering in the wind, was a beautiful metaphor for the alumni who have scattered across the world on their own journeys.

"I think the thing I love most about homecoming is just how I feel when I'm back on campus. It rekindles that energy and excitement and love I had when I was a student here," said Matt Ellis, a 2005 graduate in computer science. "It will relight that flame of enjoyment that you had for the campus."

Ellis was one of a record-setting 2,000 alumni and friends who attended this year's homecoming events, surpassing the previous record set last year during the sesquicentennial celebrations. Sporting the iconic Rose-Hulman tartan plaid jacket, Ellis reconnected with Alexandra Jantzen Schroeder at Tent City before the homecoming game; both Ellis and Jantzen Schroeder were members of Residence Life while they were students and enjoyed catching up with their peers in the RA/SA Alumni tent. Jantzen Schroeder, a 2006 biomedical engineering graduate, had also dressed for the occasion, with a pair of LEGO brick earrings dangling from her ears.

"I love [coming to] homecoming to see the people, students, professors, and places and how things have changed and how they've stayed the same," she said. "I think the heart of Rose is still the same, and that's why I'm just so happy to be here."

That joy and nostalgia warmed the hearts of alumni near and far throughout the sunny weekend, beginning with the alumni golf outing and Founder's Luncheon on Friday. The Founder's Luncheon welcomed new members to the 1874 Heritage Society and presented new Chauncey Rose Society members with freshly pressed Rose-Hulman tartan plaid jackets, and afterward, campus thrummed with anticipation for upcoming memories to be made, including that evening's beloved bonfire blaze.

Constructed throughout the week by first-year students and the 2025 Bonfire Committee, the impressive structure withstood the sophomore class's ritualistic attempts to swipe its materials, and per tradition, a colorful wooden outhouse, decorated by this year's seniors during their first year, topped the towering behemoth.

The bonfire was preceded by and lit with a dazzling fireworks display, during which the crowd broke into a chorus of Adele's "Set Fire to the Rain." As the bonfire set the night aglow, the lilting notes of a Chinese bamboo flute floated over the crowd to the cheerful melody of the "Smurfs" theme song. Zixuan Wu, a first-year mechanical engineering student, started playing the instrument last year, and, at the urging of his friends, serenaded the spectators.

"I just like my flute, so I bring it everywhere," he said. Wu has been impressed with the strength of the Rose-Hulman community during his first few weeks, saying, "I feel everyone is very friendly. Everyone is helping me."

For 1993 mechanical engineering graduate Caleb Buchanan, that community included someone especially meaningful – his son, Luke, a senior computer science major at Rose-Hulman. Caleb and his wife, Suzanne, traveled from Martinez, California, to share the excitement of the weekend.

"It's been a lot of fun remembering my history here and being able to share it with him and enjoy the time together," Caleb said.

When the weekend of time together drew to a close, alumni and friends once again scattered in the wind, their pride in their alma mater rekindled, already planning their return trips for next year's homecoming celebrations, scheduled for October 2-4, 2026.