Anniversary Gala Proceeds to Support Student Scholarships
UTICA, NY – SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly) invites alumni, students, faculty, staff,
families, friends, and the greater community to campus September 18-20 for its 2026 Wildcat
Homecoming Weekend, a three-day celebration of SUNY Poly’s history, community, and
Wildcat spirit. The weekend will feature a variety of events open to the public, with many
activities free to attend.
A centerpiece of the weekend will be SUNY Poly’s 60th Anniversary Gala on Saturday,
September 19 at 6 p.m. in the Campus Center. The celebration will bring together members of
the SUNY Poly community to commemorate the university’s 60th anniversary while supporting
its future. Tickets are $60, with proceeds from the Gala benefitting student scholarships,
helping create opportunities for current and future Wildcats. The evening will conclude with
fireworks over campus at 9:15 p.m.
“Wildcat Homecoming Weekend is a special opportunity to bring together the many people
who have shaped SUNY Poly over the past 60 years while celebrating the students who will
carry our university forward,” said Andrea LaGatta, SUNY Poly Vice President of Institutional
Advancement. “The 60th Anniversary Gala makes this year’s celebration especially meaningful.
As we recognize this important milestone, we are also investing in the next generation of
Wildcats by supporting student scholarships.”
Throughout the weekend, attendees will have opportunities to reconnect with SUNY Poly,
celebrate university traditions, and enjoy activities for the entire Wildcat community.
Weekend highlights include a ribbon cutting for the Gathering Place (SUNY Poly’s newly
renovated campus dining hall), a Welcome BBQ, Movie Night featuring Super Mario Galaxy, and
S’mores and More on Friday evening.
Saturday will feature the Awards Breakfast and 50th Class Reunion/Wildcat Induction
Ceremony honoring the Class of 1976, Wildcat Fest, alumni athletic games, and SUNY Poly
women’s soccer taking on SUNY Brockport in an Empire 8 conference matchup. Attendees can
also take part in “From the Mills to Marcy” and Beyond: Honoring Our Past, Shaping Our Future,
a special program reflecting on SUNY Poly’s history and future.
SUNY Poly Baseball and Softball will host the 1st Annual Coach Robert “Bobby” Richie Memorial
Golf Tournament on Sunday, September 20 at Sleepy Hollow Golf Course. Registration begins at
8:00 a.m., followed by a 9:00 a.m. shotgun start. The tournament honors the memory of
longtime SUNY Poly coach and facilities staff member Robert “Bobby” Richie, whose dedication
and service left a lasting impact on the university community.
For the complete 2026 Wildcat Homecoming Weekend schedule and registration information,
visit https://sunypoly.edu/wildcat-homecoming-weekend.html.
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About SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly)
SUNY Polytechnic Institute, located in Utica, N.Y., is a vibrant and inclusive community where
students, faculty, and staff are empowered through a forward-looking STEAM education and
dynamic campus experience. Founded in 1966, SUNY Poly is currently celebrating its 60th
anniversary, marking six decades of impact, innovation, and service to the Mohawk Valley and
beyond. As New York State’s premier public polytechnic, SUNY Poly fosters innovation and
interdisciplinary learning across its four colleges—Arts & Sciences, Business, Engineering, and
Health Sciences—preparing graduates to lead in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
Guided by a bold vision for societal impact, SUNY Poly advances use-inspired research and
transformative collaborations that drive economic development, technological progress, and
humanitarian solutions—locally in the Mohawk Valley and globally across diverse communities. For
more info, visit http://www.sunypoly.edu.
