By Evelyn Limberg, Guest Writer 

Xavier University’s All for One Weekend debuts Oct. 23 to 25, bringing students, families, alumni and friends together for a weekend celebrating the people, traditions and experiences that make up the Xavier community. 

All for One Weekend is rapidly approaching, and this year, plan to see upgrades from years prior. Combining the university’s traditional Family Weekend with Alumni Weekend, All for One Weekend gives families time to spend with their students while alumni return to campus to reconnect with classmates. 

“As far as we know, very few campuses have a weekend like All for One. Some campuses might have homecoming, which heavily emphasizes football,” Assistant Vice President for Leadership and Engagement Dr. Leah Busam Klenowski said. “This weekend is bigger than a traditional homecoming in that it includes our talented athletics teams, but also so much more that makes Xavier such an incredible place.” 

Activities begin Friday with the Musketeer Bash and men’s basketball exhibition game, followed by a fireworks show. Saturday’s events include the All for Fun Run, community service through Xavier Action Day and brunch in Hoff Dining. 

“These three activities frame the weekend and demonstrate our commitments to wellbeing, to community and to social connection and belonging,” Klenowski said. “For me, those elements are the heart and soul of the weekend.” Other activities include Xavier Fun Fest, the All for One Weekend Mass and comedian Joel McHale performing Saturday evening.  

According to the All for One Weekend planning team, the weekend is being used as an opportunity to celebrate the university as one community, especially highlighting the commitment to academics, athletics, faith and student engagement. 

“Our planning team identified a set of signature events that we believe highlight some of the best of Xavier and offer our guests a great experience,” Klenowski said. “We put out a call for programs to the campus community to invite them to contribute to the schedule. We are excited to have more than 70 events for the weekend, including numerous academic open houses and a sneak peek of the College of Osteopathic Medicine.” 

Beyond entertainment and athletics, All for One Weekend provides opportunities for students, families and alumni to build relationships and explore different aspects of Xavier. From academic open houses to community service, the weekend highlights the university’s emphasis on creating a well-rounded student experience. To further enhance the Xavier student experience, Brockman Hall is being reopened specifically to accommodate parents and alumni staying on campus during the weekend. 

Student organizations and campus departments also play a major role in making the weekend possible, offering events that reflect the different experiences and interests within the Xavier community. According to Klenowski, the willingness of these groups to host events helps make the weekend special and allows attendees to connect with others across campus. 

With the surplus of events planned, attendees can choose from a variety of activities throughout the weekend. Whether returning to campus to reconnect with old friends and classmates, spending time with family or experiencing Xavier for the first time, All for One Weekend offers something for everyone.