Alumni

9 Highlights from a Milestone: USF’s 5th CelebrateUSF

by Indi Katz, Office of Development Communications

Dancing on Welch Field
Tainted Love rocks the CelebrateUSF stage
Ice cream and popsicles to cool off
President Salvador Aceves chats with CelebrateUSF guests
USF students enjoy the food and music festival
Dancing on Welch Field
Tainted Love rocks the CelebrateUSF stage
Ice cream and popsicles to cool off
President Salvador Aceves chats with CelebrateUSF guests
USF students enjoy the food and music festival

The Hilltop came alive October 16-19 as over 2,300 current and former Dons, families, and friends gathered for CelebrateUSF — one of the University of San Francisco’s biggest and most anticipated traditions. This year’s iteration featured something entirely new, with the inauguration of USF’s 29th President, Salvador D. Aceves ’83, EdD ’95.

The four-day festival brought family-friendly fun with 21 events, featuring everything from alumni-owned Bay Area food vendors to throwback ’80s jams. The atmosphere buzzed with pride, connection, and celebration as the USF community reunited on the Hilltop.

Here are nine highlights from a magical weekend in 2025:

  • 1 U.S. House Speaker Emerita, Nancy Pelosi, spoke at the presidential inauguration
  • 1 Oscar-winning director and actor, Kevin Costner, took the stage at the Silk Speaker Series
  • 86 volunteers helped out over the weekend 
  • 3 events welcomed USF’s affinity alumni chapters: Asia Pacific Alumni Network, Black Alumni Society, and Latinx Alumni Society
  • 2 centennials were celebrated: School of Management and College of Arts & Sciences
  • 2 hours of jams were played by the ’80s cover band, Tainted Love
  • 5 favorite local alumni vendors served delicious food: Eko Kitchen, Bar None’s Canyon, Original Joe’s, Mother Tongue Coffee, and Boudin Bakery
  • 4 classes celebrated reunions: Classes of ’70, ’75, 2015, and 2020
  • 750 free CelebrateUSF stickers were received by guests

Each year, CelebrateUSF raises the bar with A-list speakers for the Silk Speaker Series, alumni-owned dining establishments, and unforgettable memories. 

This year marked a milestone as the fifth CelebrateUSF. The event kicked off in 2019 but had to pause for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2022, CelebrateUSF returned to welcome 2,900 guests in honor of the university’s successful $312 million Changing the World From Here campaign, and included a yacht rock concert from Mustache Harbor. 

The following year brought NBA legends Phil Jackson, Lisa Leslie, and Bill Cartwright to the Silk Speaker Series, with a crowd-pleasing musical performance by Tainted Love. 

In 2024, Viola Davis headlined the Silk Speaker Series stage, while roller skating and women’s speed networking added new energy to the weekend.

“My favorite part about CelebrateUSF is celebrating a world-class university in a world-class city,” said USF parent David Drutz. “San Francisco holds such importance in U.S. and global culture, and USF’s influence within the city is remarkable. When you bring all of that together on campus, it makes for a day worth celebrating.”

Past and present, CelebrateUSF is a reminder of what makes the USF community so uniquely San Francisco — a time to come together, share ideas, celebrate differences, and be people for each other. 

Missed the fun at CelebrateUSF? There are more alumni events happening throughout this year. Check out our alumni events page.