Fun and friendship was in the air as Felician University welcomed over six hundred students, alumni, and community members to its 2021 Homecoming Weekend, September 24 and 25, on our Rutherford Campus. Felician alumni, some who graduated 20, 25, and even more than 30 years ago, had a chance to visit with their respective Schools under the Deans’ Tent.

Diane Sedlmeir, Director of Alumni Engagement, was delighted with the turnout saying, “Homecoming 2021 was a chance for family and friends to enjoy a day filled with Felician pride along with great food, music, and games. Children enjoyed a trampoline, bungee jumping, face painting, and much more. They played all kinds of games, and even decorated pumpkins which they picked from a pumpkin patch right here on campus.”

The Royal Express train took both children and adults on a ride around the campus. Some visitors toured the newly opened Wellness and Recreation Center (WaRC) where they had the chance to take a yoga class and check out the new meditation and yoga studio.

Felician’s recently renovated and upgraded RadioFelician University, “The Falcon,” was open for tours.  Rutherford Mayor Frank Nunziato stopped by for an air-on interview with station manager Matt Blezow. “I am just beyond ecstatic about this because Matt and Brian Ersalesi, a Rutherford High School teacher, both work part-time at 1010 WINS and it’s just a great opportunity for students to learn more about a field they may be interested in going into,” said Mayor Nunziato.

Many who took part in the Homecoming Weekend expressed gratitude that the Felician Community was able to come together once again for Homecoming after the Covid-19 pandemic forced the 2020 Homecoming online. Dr. Heather Pfleger, Dean of the School of Business and Information Sciences said, “What’s really fun is watching faculty see students they haven’t seen in a while and giving them big hugs, saying we are glad you are here, and we are so happy you’re doing well. Felician is such a caring place. It is so evident the care that was put into making this such a special event for everyone.”

Felician Senior Alyssa Patunas came to the Homecoming with her mother, grandfather, sister, and aunt. “After covid and being inside for a full year, it was nice to come outside and have fun, and hang out with friends, family, co-workers, and meet new people.”

The Homecoming festivities began Friday evening with the Hall of Fame Dinner in the Joal and Joseph Job Gymnasium adjacent to the newly opened WaRC. Four Felician student-athletes were inducted into the Hall of Fame including, Michael “Mickey” Zudonyi ‘11 (Baseball), Eric Miceli ’02 (Baseball), Ciera Clark, ’15 (softball), and Rob Albano ’14 (Men’s Cross-Country). The 2009/2010 Men’s basketball team, the first to win a CACC Conference Championship in Felician history was also inducted, along with Felician Past President, Sister Theresa Mary Martin, who was inducted posthumously.

President James W. Crawford, III said, “The athletics program at this institution allows you to become that person that God created you to be.”

Dr. Mildred Mihlon, Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences summed up the success of Felician’s 2021 Homecoming when she said, “It was very family-oriented, and there was that real sense of Community that you could feel and see in the conversations and in the energy. When people talk about that small environment that Felician really embodies, it just reminds us of what our mission is and how happy we are as a Felician Community.”