On The Vineyard

July 22 to 26, 2027Reconnecting Our Wildcat Legacy

Four days of fellowship, wellness, cultural reflection, and Wildcat pride, as Bethune-Cookman alumni gather on the Vineyard for the first time.

A $100 deposit holds your spot
Pay in full or in three installments
All balances due May 1, 2027

The Story

Our place on the island

Every summer, HBCU alumni gather on Martha's Vineyard. Bethune-Cookman has not been among them. In July 2027, that changes, and Wildcats claim our place on the island for the first time.

Oak Bluffs has welcomed Black families for more than a century, and the Inkwell is one of the most storied stretches of sand in America. It's the right setting for a gathering built around fellowship, wellness, cultural reflection, and Wildcat pride.

This weekend is about finding each other again across the classes and the miles. It also sends something home: every registration above the base level includes a scholarship gift to Bethune-Cookman students, made in your name.

The Weekend

Four days at a glance

Full program details will be posted here as venues confirm.

THU
July 22
Welcome and Reconnection
Arrivals and the Welcome Reception.
FRI
July 23
Spiritual Renewal and Wellness
The Polar Bear Plunge and Spiritual Ceremony, the Wildcat Wellness Experience, and the Wellness Panel with luncheon.
SAT
July 24
Golden Maroon Wildcat Day
The Legacy Panel with luncheon and the Maroon and Gold Wildcat Day Party.
SUN
July 25
Faith, Legacy, and Commitment
Sunday Worship and the Closing Luncheon and Panel.
MON
July 26
Departures
Safe travels home, Wildcats.

Registration

Choose your level

Registration covers your programming, meals at our scheduled events, island group transportation, and your commemorative item. The base cost is $400 per person, and every level above it adds a scholarship gift to Bethune-Cookman University, made in your name. Lodging, airfare, and ferry passage are not included.

Wildcat
$450
$400 registration + $50 scholarship gift
- Full weekend registration
- A $50 scholarship gift in your name
Register Now at the Wildcat level (opens the B-CU registration site in a new tab)
Inkwell
$500
$400 registration + $100 scholarship gift
- Full weekend registration
- A $100 scholarship gift in your name
- Name listed in the printed program as a scholarship contributor
Register Now at the Inkwell level (opens the B-CU registration site in a new tab)
Golden Maroon
$650
$400 registration + $250 scholarship gift
- Full weekend registration
- A $250 scholarship gift in your name
- Priority seating at all panels
- Upgraded commemorative item
- Recognition in the program and on the website
Register Now at the Golden Maroon level (opens the B-CU registration site in a new tab)
Legacy
Top level
$900
$400 registration + $500 scholarship gift
- Full weekend registration
- A $500 scholarship gift in your name
- Reserved seating at the Closing Gala and all panels
- A second commemorative item
- Recognition from the podium
- Named recognition in the program and on the website
- Early access to optional excursion sign-ups
Register Now at the Legacy level (opens the B-CU registration site in a new tab)

All amounts are estimates while venue and vendor costs are finalized.

Every level includes

Welcome Reception
Polar Bear Plunge and Spiritual Ceremony
Wildcat Wellness Experience
Friday Wellness Panel with luncheon
Saturday Legacy Panel with luncheon
Maroon and Gold Wildcat Day Party
Sunday Worship
Sunday Closing Luncheon and Panel
Welcome bag, credentials, and printed program
Commemorative item
Professional group photograph
Island group transportation to and from all included events
Full travel and lodging guide

Not included

Lodging, which is booked separately
Airfare and ferry passage
Meals outside our scheduled events
Optional excursions, including the fishing charter, day cruise, and heritage tour
Friday Night at Noman's
Travel insurance, which is strongly recommended

Deposit and Payments

Pay in full or in three installments

Due at registration

$100 deposit

Your deposit holds your spot and applies toward your total. It's non-refundable under every payment option, including pay in full, so please be certain before you register. The deposit holds your registration. It does not hold lodging.

February 1, 2027

Payment plan enrollment closes. After this date, registration is pay in full only.

May 1, 2027

All payments must be complete. No balances carry past this date.

Deposit and installment amounts by registration level
Level	Deposit	Jan 15, 2027	Mar 15, 2027	May 1, 2027
Wildcat $450	$100	$117	$117	$116
Inkwell $500	$100	$134	$133	$133
Golden Maroon $650	$100	$184	$183	$183
Legacy $900	$100	$267	$267	$266

Installments are charged automatically to your card on file, and you'll get an email reminder before each date. If a payment is missed, you'll receive a notice and a grace period. Reach out to us and we'll work with you.

Claim your place on the Vineyard

Registration and payment are handled on Bethune-Cookman University's secure registration site. B-CU serves as fiscal agent, and you'll receive a confirmation and receipt by email after every transaction.

The $100 deposit is non-refundable. Payment plan enrollment closes February 1, 2027, and all balances are due by May 1, 2027.

Have these ready

Your class year and contact information
An emergency contact
Your registration level
Names and class years for any guests
Apparel size, dietary needs, and any accessibility needs
A card for your $100 deposit or full payment

Lodging and Travel

Plan your stay

Lodging is booked separately. Reservations, leases, and lodging payments do not run through this site or the university, and your registration does not hold lodging. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.

Rental homes

Our island realtors refresh their listings every week, so these links always show current availability. Leases are written directly by the realtor.

Studio Realtystudiorealty.com (opens in a new tab)
Island rental homes. Listings refresh weekly.

Rental homes carry a re-rental policy rather than a refund policy. Review your lease and payment terms before you sign.

Hotels

Hotel group booking links are coming soon.

Hotel stays follow each property's own terms, which are stricter than our registration terms.

Share a home

Looking to split a rental home with fellow Wildcats? Let us know and we'll help connect alumni with similar plans.

Email Lodging Team

Getting there

Travel to the island

By ferry

Ferry routes, terminals, and booking tips will be in the Travel Guide, coming soon.

By air

Flight options to the island and nearby airports will be in the Travel Guide, coming soon.

On the island

Group transportation to and from all included events is part of your registration. Other island transportation options will be in the Travel Guide.

Travel Guide coming soon

Sponsorship

Stand with Wildcats on the Vineyard

Sponsors underwrite the signature events, the programming, and the details every attendee touches. A portion of every sponsorship supports Bethune-Cookman University students.

Presenting Sponsor
$25,000
Title recognition across the weekend, premier logo placement, a speaking opportunity at the Closing Gala, a full page in the program, a named scholarship gift, eight weekend registrations, and a social media feature series.
Legacy Sponsor
$15,000
Naming rights to one signature event, prominent logo placement, recognition from the podium, a half page in the program, a named scholarship gift, five weekend registrations, and a social media feature.
Inkwell Sponsor
$10,000
Naming rights to one programming element, logo on the website and event signage, recognition from the podium, a half page in the program, three weekend registrations, and a social media feature.
Wildcat Sponsor
$5,000
Sponsorship of the welcome bags, credentials, or printed program, logo on the website and in the program, a quarter page in the program, and two weekend registrations.
Oak Bluffs Sponsor
$2,500
Logo on the website and in the program, recognition at one event, and one weekend registration.
Friend of the Vineyard
$1,500
Name listed on the website and in the program, with recognition at the Closing Gala.
Class or Chapter Sponsor
$1,000
For B-CU classes, alumni chapters, and Divine Nine chapters giving together. Name listed on the website and in the program, with recognition from the podium.

FAQ

Questions, answered

Registration and Payment

What does registration include?: Your programming, meals at our scheduled events, island group transportation to and from included events, a welcome bag, credentials, the printed program, your commemorative item, and a professional group photograph. It doesn't include lodging, airfare, ferry passage, meals on your own, optional excursions, or travel insurance.
How much should I budget overall?: Registration runs from $450 to $900 depending on your level. Plan separately for lodging, airfare, ferry passage, meals outside our events, and any optional excursions.
Can I bring guests?: Yes. Include your guests when you register. Questions about guest registration can go to WildcatsontheVineyard@cookman.edu.
What if I need to cancel?: The $100 deposit is non-refundable. Amounts paid beyond the deposit are fully refunded through March 1, 2027, and refunded at 50 percent through April 15, 2027. No refunds are issued after May 1, 2027.
Can I transfer my registration?: Yes. Registrations transfer to another Wildcat at no charge through June 1, 2027.

Travel and Lodging

How do I get to the island?: Martha's Vineyard is reached by ferry or by air. The Travel Guide will walk through your options and island transportation.
Where should I stay?: A hotel, a rental home, or with family. Lodging is booked directly with the property or realtor, not through this site. Current links are in the Lodging and Travel section.
Do I need travel insurance?: It's strongly recommended. Lodging follows each property's own terms, which are stricter than ours, and rental homes carry a re-rental policy instead of refunds.

Getting Involved

How do I join a planning circle?: Circles include Program, Travel and Lodging, Social Media, Fundraising, and SWAG. Email WildcatsontheVineyard@cookman.edu with the circle that interests you, and a circle lead will follow up.
Who do I contact with questions?: Email WildcatsontheVineyard@cookman.edu and a member of the planning team will get back to you.

The fine print

Terms and Policies

Deposit and refunds

The $100 deposit is non-refundable at all times. Amounts paid beyond the deposit receive a full refund through March 1, 2027 and a 50 percent refund through April 15, 2027. No refunds are issued after May 1, 2027, when vendor commitments are locked.

Payment plans

Plan enrollment closes February 1, 2027. Installments are charged to the card on file on January 15, March 15, and May 1, 2027, with a reminder before each. All balances must be complete by May 1, 2027.

Transfers

Registrations are transferable to another Wildcat at no charge through June 1, 2027.

Lodging

These terms apply to registration only. Lodging follows the property's own terms. Rental homes carry a re-rental policy rather than a refund policy.

Photo and video release

Photo and video release language will be posted here before the event.

Fiscal agent and tax deductibility

Bethune-Cookman University serves as fiscal agent for Wildcats on the Vineyard 2027. All payments and sponsorships are processed through the university. Sponsorships are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law, and the university issues receipts.

All amounts are estimates while venue and vendor costs are finalized.

Wildcats on the Vineyard 2027

Our place on the island

Four days at a glance

Welcome and Reconnection

Spiritual Renewal and Wellness

Golden Maroon Wildcat Day

Faith, Legacy, and Commitment

Departures