This year’s Reunion@Homecoming was the university’s largest on record, bringing students, faculty, and countless alums together to cheer on their beloved Bryant Bulldogs football team and celebrate. From the always lively tailgating scene to individual class gatherings and parties to guided tours of the campus’s recent expansion and new facilities, the weekend gave every Bulldog, old and new, something to cheer about.
No one was more excited for the festivities — and to reconnect — than Heidi Sajkowicz ’85 P’14, who returned to her campus with a group of her former dormmates and close friends to celebrate their 40th Class Reunion. Her Bryant experience, and the relationships she forged, have helped to shape her life long after graduation, she noted.
“It’s about the bonds you share and the warm memories,” Sajkowicz reflected. “But it was more than that: you made so many great friends, but you also got a great education. Bryant opened so many doors for all of us. Coming back here reminds you of all of that — and it makes you feel young again.”
She found her tour of campus — including visits to the university’s new Artificial Intelligence Lab, Sprague Center for Entrepreneurship and Design Thinking, and Navigant Credit Union Field House — to be equally energizing. “I was so amazed to see how the campus had grown when my son, who graduated in 2014, came here,” she noted. “But now there’s even more!”
With all of that newfound energy, Sajckowicz was eager to experience everything Reunion@Homecoming 2025 had to offer. “There’s so much to do, we might not make the football game,” she laughed.
Below are some moments from the Reunion@Homecoming 2025:
Chase Whitman ’26, the co-founder of Chip’s Sunflower Seeds, was just one of several Bryant student entrepreneurs exhibiting their businesses at the Student Startup Showcase. Whitman, a member of the Sprague Center for Entrepreneurship and Design Thinking’s FOUNDERS program, noted that alumni support and guidance has been invaluable as he grows his company. “Making those connections is really fantastic,” he says. “They’ve been in the same spot and they want to help.”
Bryant humanoid NAO v6 put on a show for visitors in the university’s new state-of-the-art Artificial Intelligence Lab — a dancing reminder of how far Bryant has come over the years. “All I can think about is how we used to type out our papers on typewriters,” laughed Susan Whittemore ’85.
Dennis Jacques ’69, far right, marked two important occasions on Saturday: the 100th anniversary of his fraternity Beta Sigma Chi and his own birthday. Luckily, he had a full crowd of fraternity brothers, drawn from across the decades, to celebrate both with him. While they had gone to school at Bryant College’s Providence’s campus, Jacques was thrilled to note that modern day Bryant University in Smithfield still had the same spirit. “I like what I’m seeing!” he enthused.
Tupper, Bryant’s mascot, couldn’t help but indulge his inner attention hound, cavorting for the crowd as the Bryant Athletics Band played behind him. Trumpeter Andre Helm ’27 didn’t mind though; he noted the crowd’s applause only made the music sound better.
Bulldogs fans, family, and friends packed the brand-new Navigant Credit Union Field House. But the top-of-the-line facilities, and enhanced gameday experience, are only half of what makes the building special, noted Beba Villar P’25 ’25MBA, mother of Max Villar ’23 ’25MBA. “There’s so much love here today in the stands, so much energy,” she shared.
Offensive Lineman Destyn Hoggard ’29, a first-year student from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, had his own cheering section as his family came out in force to cheer for him at his first Bryant Homecoming. Posing in front of the Bryant sign, they were excited to watch the game and join the community in supporting their Bulldogs.
During a break from the game, Butch Locke ’89, Michelle Locke ’91, Jill Vecchia ’23, and Dan Locke ’22 all enjoyed a Bulldog Lager, courtesy of Phantom Farms Brewing and its owner Jacob Macari ’01. Returning to campus made the drink even tastier, they agreed. “We’re from New Hampshire, and when we crossed the border, we just started smiling because we knew Bryant was so close,” says Butch.
For one night only, Bryant’s beloved “Country Comfort” returned to campus. The reincarnation of the former pub and hangout was a perfect place for alums to relax, listen to music, enjoy some good food and drink, and reminisce.