K-State Alumni Association announces 2026 Homecoming theme, grand marshal and more
Kansas State University’s Homecoming, one of the university’s oldest traditions, will take place Oct. 11-17. The week marks K-State’s 111th Homecoming celebration. Homecoming is a universitywide celebration coordinated by the K-State Alumni Association's Student Homecoming Committee.
“We are excited and ready to celebrate Homecoming with the greater K-State community,” said Karadan Kinsey ’25, assistant director of student programs and K-State Homecoming chair. “Homecoming week is going to be a wonderful time for K-Staters of all ages to connect and celebrate the spot we love full-well.”
The All-University Homecoming Committee and the K-State Alumni Association are excited to announce the following updates for this year’s celebration:
The Homecoming Theme
Chapters of K-State will be the theme for the 2026 celebration. The theme was selected by the Homecoming Committee and serves as the unifying element for the entire week’s celebration. This year’s theme connects the ways K-State is a part of the different chapters of our lives.
The Parade Grand Marshal
Frank Tracz will serve as the grand marshal of the Homecoming Parade. Tracz served as a professor of music and director of bands at K-State from 1993 until his retirement this July.
Under his direction, the marching band was awarded the Sudler Trophy in 2015 by the John Phillip Souza Foundation, an honor given to collegiate marching bands that demonstrate the highest musical standards. He was also a key force behind the campaign to build the Tracz Family Band Hall at WWI Memorial Stadium in 2023.
5K Run/Walk Philanthropy
Proceeds from the annual Homecoming Philanthropy 5K Run/Walk will benefit the Flint Hills Breadbasket, a non-profit community food pantry for Manhattan, Riley County, St. George, and Fort Riley.
The 5K Run/Walk will take place on Sunday, Oct. 11. You can sign up for the 5K Run/Walk at k-state.com/5k.
More updates to come
Stay up to date on all things Homecoming by visiting our website, k-state.com/homecoming.