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Week of Welcome starts this weekend! We can't wait to welcome you to campus.

Defender Days

Campus Center
Oct 17, 2025 - Oct 18, 2025
6:45 AM - 9:30 PM

Defender Days is Scheduled for October 17-18, 2025.

It's the biggest event on campus as students, alumni, and parents celebrate ͹Ƶand reunite for home sporting events, concerts, the fall theatre production, and much more.

Registration Available!

Schedule for the weekend

Thursday, Oct. 16

Event

7:30 p.m.

Fall Theatre Production: "Antigone", Te Paske Theatre

  • Join ͹ƵTheatre Arts for an unforgettable modern retelling of Antigone. Written by Sophocles in 441 B.C., Antigone stands as one of the foundational works of Western drama.

“Antigone’s two brothers have just murdered each other in a brutal civil war. Her victorious brother is posthumously exalted; her treasonous brother is declared a terrorist. And new king Creon orders that his body be left to rot, making a law forbidding his burial. But Antigone refuses to obey.”

  • Get your tickets here:

9:30 p.m.

Praise & Worship, De Yager Student Activity Center, Campus Center
  • Join us for worship at Dordt’s student-led praise and worship night, held weekly throughout the academic year.

Friday, Oct. 17

Event

6:45 a.m.

Business Connections Breakfast, Agriculture Stewardship Center *registration required

  • This early-morning breakfast is open for Defender Days attendees as well as guests from the Sioux Center community. We are excited to welcome Craig Culver, co-founder of Culver’s, to share with us.
  • Complimentary tickets are available with online RSVP and will not be available at the door. Tickets are limited. The recommended dress is casual or business casual.

8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Registration, Campus Center Lobby

  • Pick up your nametags, receive the latest information for the weekend, and get your questions answered. Your nametag is used as your complimentary pass into many events, such as athletics.

8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Visit classes, Locations Vary

  • Join your student in class to see firsthand what they're learning and meet their professor. Please visit the registration table to see the list of available classes and their locations.
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.͹ƵMaster's Degree Info Booth, Campus Center
  • ͹Ƶoffers several master’s degrees that are 100% online. Stop by the Graduate Studies Info Booth to learn more about the programs.

11:10 a.m.

Chapel, B.J. Haan Auditorium

  • Join the ͹Ƶcommunity for worship at chapel, held weekly throughout the academic year.

3:10 p.m.

4th Avenue Jazz concert, B.J. Haan Auditorium

  • Enjoy a lively afternoon of music featuring Dordt’s 4th Avenue Singers and 4th Avenue Band.

  • Tickets are not required. A freewill offering opportunity will be provided.
3:30 p.m.͹ƵWrites, Hulst Library
  • Description coming...
3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Mentoring Mingle, ͹Ƶ

  • This is an opportunity for our spring mentoring pairings from 2024-2025 and the current pairings for fall 2025 to meet in person. This is primarily a casual social activity for alumni and current students that have been or are currently involved in the career mentoring program.

4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Engineering Senior Design Meet and Greet, Science Building Atrium
  • Meet the senior engineering students and hear about the early stages of this year’s design projects.
4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.Featured Artist Reception: Chad Postma ('05), Campus Center Art Gallery
  • This year the art gallery will host alumnus and local photographer Chad Postma (’05). His exhibit, “Steady,” will feature landscape photography of the places Chad has lived over the past 20+ years. Artist talk will be at 4:45 p.m.

5:00 p.m. first pitch

Alumni Baseball Game, Open Space Park *Registration required
  • (3 p.m. warm-up and batting practice)
  • Defender Baseball invites all baseball alumni back to campus for a fun and competitive Alumni Game! Reconnect with former teammates, meet the current team, and enjoy and great day at the ballpark.
  • RSVP is required. Please register using the .

5:30 p.m.

Defender Nation Dinner, ͹Ƶ *Registration required

  • At this semi-formal dinner, we will recognize this year’s Distinguished Alumni and Horizon award recipients, presented by Dordt’s alumni office.

  • Tickets are available for purchase with online RSVP and will not be available at the door. Tickets are limited and the recommended dress is business casual. This dinner is not recommended for young children.

7:00 p.m. - 8:15 p.m.

Fall Music Festival: Instrumental Ensembles, B.J. Haan Auditorium

  • Enjoy an evening of music, featuring Dordt’s Wind Symphony, Chamber Orchestra, and Campus-Community Band.

  • Tickets are not required. A freewill offering opportunity will be provided.

7:00 p.m.Hockey vs. Nebraska, All Seasons Center
  • This event is free with your Defender Days nametag.

8:30 p.m. - 9:45 p.m.

Fall Music Festival: Choral Ensembles, B.J. Haan Auditorium

  • Enjoy an evening of music, featuring Concert Choir, Chorale, Canons of Dordt, and Bella Voce.
  • Tickets are not required. A freewill offering opportunity will be provided.

9:00 p.m.

Late Night with the Defenders, De Witt Gymnasium

  • Back by popular demand! Join us as both the women’s and men’s basketball teams tip off the season and we reveal the 2025 National Championship banner for our women’s basketball team.

  • This event is free with your Defender Days nametag.


Saturday, Oct. 18

Event

8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Registration, Campus Center Lobby

  • Pick up your nametags, receive the latest information for the weekend, and get your questions answered. Your nametag is used as your complimentary pass into many events, such as athletics.

8:00 a.m.

Men's and Women's Swimming vs. Iowa Lakes, All Seasons Center
  • This event is free with your Defender Days nametag.

8:30 a.m.

President’s Brunch, Recreation Center *Registration required

  • Hosted by President Erik and Dr. Barb Hoekstra, this meal is a great opportunity to meet or reconnect with other ͹Ƶfamilies and friends. The program includes a welcome and campus update from the Hoekstras. This is not a come-and-go event.

  • Complimentary tickets are available with online RSVP and will not be available at the door. Tickets are limited. The recommended dress is casual. This breakfast is not recommended for young children.

9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.Family Fun Zone, American State Bank Sports Complex
  • A popular family event with activities for all ages, including bounce houses, games, and facepainting.

10:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.Dining Commons and Recital Hall Dedication, The Atrium
  • Come celebrate with us as we dedicate the new Dining Commons and Recital Hall. After the celebration, tours will be available for other recently built facilities: the Townhomes, the Campus Cottages, and the Spronk Animal Science Education Center.

11:15 a.m.

Hymn Festival, B.J. Haan Auditorium

  • Featuring Dordt’s Casavant organ, brass, and other instruments. All are welcome to come and sing beloved hymns of our faith!

12:00 p.m.

Men's Soccer vs. Doane, Soccer Complex

  • This event is free with your Defender Days nametag.

1:00 p.m.

Football vs. Mount Marty, Football Field

  • Dance & Cheer will also be performing

  • This event is free with your Defender Days nametag.

2:00 p.m.

Fall Theatre Production: "Antigone", Te Paske Theatre

  • Join ͹ƵTheatre Arts for an unforgettable modern retelling of Antigone. Written by Sophocles in 441 B.C., Antigone stands as one of the foundational works of Western drama.

    “Antigone’s two brothers have just murdered each other in a brutal civil war. Her victorious brother is posthumously exalted; her treasonous brother is declared a terrorist. And new king Creon orders that his body be left to rot, making a law forbidding his burial. But Antigone refuses to obey.”

    • Get your tickets here:

2:15 p.m.Women's Soccer vs. Doane, Soccer Complex
  • This event is free with your Defender Days nametag
3:00 p.m.Recital Hall Dedication Concert, Recital Hall
  • ͹Ƶstudents and faculty will dedicate our new performance space with an offering of praise! This recital will feature a variety of solo and small ensemble music and is an exclusive event for members of the ͹ƵMusic Patrons society.
  • If you’d like to attend this recital, join the DMP today!

3:30 p.m.

JV Women's Volleyball vs. Midland, De Witt Gymnasium

  • This event is free with your Defender Days nametag.

5:00 p.m.

Varsity Women's Volleyball vs. Midland, De Witt Gymnasium
  • This event is free with your Defender Days nametag.

5:45 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

25th Reunion (from 1997 to 2000), Founder’s Room (located in the President’s Home) *Registration required

  • Enjoy a light meal and reconnect with old friends at a standing reception hosted by President Erik and Dr. Barb Hoekstra.
  • Complimentary tickets are available with online RSVP to ͹Ƶgraduates from 1998 through 2001 plus one guest. Tickets are not available at the door and are limited.

7:30 p.m.

Fall Theatre Production: "Antigone", Te Paske Theatre

  • Join ͹ƵTheatre Arts for an unforgettable modern retelling of Antigone. Written by Sophocles in 441 B.C., Antigone stands as one of the foundational works of Western drama.

    “Antigone’s two brothers have just murdered each other in a brutal civil war. Her victorious brother is posthumously exalted; her treasonous brother is declared a terrorist. And new king Creon orders that his body be left to rot, making a law forbidding his burial. But Antigone refuses to obey.”

    • Get your tickets here:


A picture of campus behind yellow prairie flowers