CAES Homecoming picnic at Webb Hall. 


More than 700 CAES Aggie alumni gathered on the Webb Hall lawn on Friday, Oct. 10 for food, dancing, fellowship as part of N.C. A&T’s 99th Greatest Homecoming on Earth, and sixteen fearless Aggies sat down for the Poultry Club’s Hot Wings Challenge, sponsored by Mountaire Farms.

With sauces peaking at 5 million Scoville units, things got spicy fast, with participants crying, panting and gulping milk for relief. At the end, two victorious Aggies emerged with the title of “2025 GHOE Hot Wing Champion!”

A group of people sit at a long table outdoors, enjoying food together. The man in the foreground, wearing a blue LA cap and bracelets, eats from a plate while others chat and eat beside him. Cups and water bottles are on the table.

Dominic Jones competes during the Hot Wings Challenge at the CAES Homecoming picnic at Webb Hall.

Alumni also got the chance to weigh in on Aggie Ice Cream flavors and colors, coming up with flavor combinations and good names for them. And a limited number of alums got the chance to get a “Sneak Peek” at the new Urban and Community Food Complex, taking shape at the N.C. A&T University Farm. On a tour by Hao Feng, Ph.D., the complex director, the group saw the test kitchen, sensory lab and the area where the creamery will be serving Aggie Ice Cream next year!

Gallery

A group of people stand outside, talking and smiling near a sign for the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences at North Carolina A&T State University. Trees and a table with yellow bags are visible in the background.

CAES Homecoming picnic at Webb Hall, October 10, 2025.

CAES Homecoming picnic at Webb Hall, October 10, 2025.

A person with dark hair holds up a partially eaten fried chicken drumstick toward the camera, with their face blurred in the background. The setting appears to be outdoors.

10_10_2025_CAES GHOE 022 – resized

An eaten wing in the Hot Wings Challenge at the CAES Homecoming picnic at Webb Hall, October 10, 2025.

A person in a blue hoodie with glasses drinks from a red cup at an outdoor gathering, while another person in the foreground holds a water bottle. There are food and drinks on the table in front of them.

10_10_2025_CAES GHOE 014 – resized

Jazlyn Jones, concedes and tries to find relief in a cup of milk while participating in the Hot Wings Challenge at the CAES Homecoming picnic at Webb Hall, October 10, 2025.

Eight bottles of various hot sauces, including Tabasco, Heartbeat Sauce, Da Bomb, and several others with colorful, fiery labels, are lined up on a blue surface outdoors with trees and cars in the background.

10_10_2025_CAES GHOE 021 – resized

Some of the hot sauces used in CAES Homecoming picnic Hot Wings Challenge at Webb Hall, October 10, 2025.

Five men smiling and posing for a selfie outdoors, wearing casual clothes including vests and caps, standing in front of a brick building.

CAES Homecoming picnic at Webb Hall, October 10, 2025.

CAES Homecoming picnic at Webb Hall, October 10, 2025.

Two young men sit at a table outdoors eating food. One wears a blue cap and shirt, the other wears a black We ♥ Agriculture shirt and smiles while holding food. Bottles of water and plates with food are on the table.

10_10_2025_CAES GHOE 031 – resized

Rasheed Hector, right, displays a finished chicken wing during the Hot Wings Challenge at the CAES Homecoming picnic at Webb Hall, October 10, 2025. Hector and Dominic Jones, left, were two of three competitors who finished all of the hot wing offerings, including the final wing that was 2.2 million Scoville units.

A man in a black hoodie eats a chicken wing at an outdoor table, while a person in the background takes a photo with a phone. Bottled water, red cups, and napkins are on the table.

10_10_2025_CAES GHOE 029 – resized

Ian Brown competes during the Hot Wings Challenge at the CAES Homecoming picnic at Webb Hall, October 10, 2025.

Four people stand together outdoors, smiling at the camera. They wear blue and gold clothing with GHOE and A&T logos, indicating a university event. Other people and a large white tent are visible in the background.

CAES Homecoming picnic at Webb Hall, October 10, 2025.

CAES Homecoming picnic at Webb Hall, October 10, 2025.

Three people sit at a table with a yellow tablecloth, eating chicken wings during a hot wings contest. Bottled water, cups, and napkins are on the table. A Hot Wings Contest sign is visible in front.

10_10_2025_CAES GHOE 058 – resized

Aliyah Alexander, left, Hailey McCoy, and Vance Apple participate in the Hot Wings Challenge at the CAES Homecoming picnic at Webb Hall, October 10, 2025.

Two women wearing blue and gold college apparel smile and pose together on a grassy lawn at an outdoor event. A DJ and audio equipment are set up nearby, and a U-Haul van is parked in the background.

CAES Homecoming picnic at Webb Hall, October 10, 2025.

CAES Homecoming picnic at Webb Hall, October 10, 2025.

Five women smiling and posing together outdoors on grass, dressed casually in jeans and college-themed shirts and jackets, with a building and a white event tent in the background.

CAES Homecoming picnic at Webb Hall, October 10, 2025.

CAES Homecoming picnic at Webb Hall, October 10, 2025.

Four people sit and stand around a yellow table with food at an outdoor event. Behind them is a gold and blue balloon shaped like the number 2. Everyone is smiling and dressed in casual clothes, enjoying the gathering.

CAES Homecoming picnic at Webb Hall, October 10, 2025.

CAES Homecoming picnic at Webb Hall, October 10, 2025.

Two women smiling and walking arm in arm on grass; one wears a yellow and blue varsity jacket, the other wears a bright blue tracksuit. A truck and another person are visible in the background.

CAES Homecoming picnic at Webb Hall, October 10, 2025.

CAES Homecoming picnic at Webb Hall, October 10, 2025.

Two people sit on folding chairs outdoors. One person, with red hair, leans forward laughing while holding a water bottle. The other, with curly hair and glasses, smiles at them. People are gathered in the background.

10_10_2025_CAES GHOE 025 – resized

Kjuana Baker tries to cool her mouth after participating in the Hot Wings Challenge at the CAES Homecoming picnic at Webb Hall, October 10, 2025.

A large group of people, many in blue and gold attire, sit at tables under a tent eating and socializing at an outdoor event. Two people in the foreground smile at the camera, holding cups.

CAES Homecoming picnic at Webb Hall, October 10, 2025.

CAES Homecoming picnic at Webb Hall, October 10, 2025.

A man wearing sunglasses, a cap, and an NC A&T pullover smiles and chats with a woman outdoors at a gathering, holding a drink cup. Other people and trees are visible in the background.

CAES Homecoming picnic at Webb Hall, October 10, 2025.

CAES Homecoming picnic at Webb Hall, October 10, 2025.

A group of people, some wearing blue and gold clothing, dance and celebrate on a grassy area outside a brick building. One person wears a WEBB HALL sweatshirt. The atmosphere is lively and joyful.

CAES Homecoming picnic at Webb Hall, October 10, 2025.

CAES Homecoming picnic at Webb Hall, October 10, 2025.

A man with wavy hair, wearing a blue shirt, sits at a table outdoors and licks his finger while looking at the camera. There are water bottles, a paper plate, and a red cup on the yellow tablecloth.

10_10_2025_CAES GHOE 090 – resized

Dustin Chandler finds a sauce to be finger licking good during the Hot Wings Challenge at the CAES Homecoming picnic at Webb Hall, October 10, 2025.

A person stands on a chair hanging a Welcome Home Alumni banner for a College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences event, while three others watch under a tent decorated with signs and tables.

CAES Homecoming picnic at Webb Hall, October 10, 2025.

CAES Homecoming picnic at Webb Hall, October 10, 2025.

Two people wearing blue jackets excitedly smile and reach out for a hug outdoors. The man’s shirt reads “Carver Hall.” Several other people are gathered in the background, some also smiling and talking.

10_10_2025_CAES GHOE 008 – resized

CAES interim dean Radiah Minor greets a guest at the Homecoming picnic at Webb Hall, October 10, 2025.

A man sits at a picnic table with food and paper plates, while others, including children, sit and smile nearby. The scene appears festive, with a crowd and tents in the background, suggesting an outdoor gathering or event.

10_10_2025_CAES GHOE 032 – resized

Widdi Zougouri after finishing the final wing (that was 2.2 million Scoville units) in the Hot Wings Challenge at the CAES Homecoming picnic at Webb Hall, October 10, 2025. Zougouri was one of three competitors who finished all of the hot wing offerings.

A young woman with long hair and long, decorated fingernails is eating a sandwich outdoors. She is wearing a furry brown jacket, rings on her fingers, and has facial piercings. Green trees are blurred in the background.

10_10_2025_CAES GHOE 012 – resized

Zoe Hunter competes in the Hot Wings Challenge at the CAES Homecoming picnic at Webb Hall, October 10, 2025.

A woman speaks into a microphone while a man holding papers listens. They stand on grass in front of a brick building, surrounded by a group of people wearing yellow and blue clothing.

10_10_2025_CAES GHOE 015 – resized

Radiah Minor, Ph.D., interim dean, College of Agriculural and Environmental Sciences, left, and Antoine Alston, Ph.D., associate dean, CAES, greet attendees at the CAES Homecoming picnic at Webb Hall, October 10, 2025.

People sit at long tables outdoors, eating and talking during a community event. Others watch from chairs nearby. A large tent and trees are in the background, with red and yellow cups and plates of food visible on the tables.

10_10_2025_CAES GHOE 024 – resized

Hot Wings Challenge at the CAES Homecoming picnic at Webb Hall, October 10, 2025.

Three women sit on grass eating food and smiling at the camera. They wear glasses and casual clothing, with a brick building labeled “Webb Hall” in the background. Other people are visible behind them.

CAES Homecoming picnic at Webb Hall, October 10, 2025.

CAES Homecoming picnic at Webb Hall, October 10, 2025.

A woman wearing blue gloves serves fried chicken from a large bin to another woman holding a plate at an outdoor event, with tents and people visible in the background.

CAES Homecoming picnic at Webb Hall, October 10, 2025.

CAES Homecoming picnic at Webb Hall, October 10, 2025.

A man and woman smile and hug outside B.C. Webb Hall, surrounded by other people. The man wears a N.C. A&T Aggies Animal Science hoodie, and everyone appears cheerful at the outdoor gathering.

CAES Homecoming picnic at Webb Hall, October 10, 2025.

CAES Homecoming picnic at Webb Hall, October 10, 2025.

Two women smiling and posing outdoors on grass at a gathering. One woman wears a gray jacket and jeans, the other a black jacket, white hat, jeans, and white boots. People and balloons are visible in the background.

CAES Homecoming picnic at Webb Hall, October 10, 2025.

CAES Homecoming picnic at Webb Hall, October 10, 2025.

Two women sit at an outdoor table covered with papers and items. One wears a blue Aggie shirt, sunglasses, and a hat; the other wears a gray hoodie and sunglasses. Both are smiling. Bright flowers and cardboard boxes are behind them.

CAES Homecoming picnic at Webb Hall, October 10, 2025.

CAES Homecoming picnic at Webb Hall, October 10, 2025.

A group of people gather outdoors at an event. A man in the center wears glasses, a cap, and a black jacket, smiling as he talks with others. The background is blurred, with several people standing and chatting.

10_10_2025_CAES GHOE 011 – resized

M. Ray McKinnie, Ph.D., associate dean and Extension director, at the CAES Homecoming picnic at Webb Hall, October 10, 2025.

A woman and man, both wearing NC A&T Aggies apparel, smile and pose together in front of B.C. Webb Hall as other people walk by in the background.

CAES Homecoming picnic at Webb Hall, October 10, 2025.

CAES Homecoming picnic at Webb Hall, October 10, 2025.

A man with short curly hair and a beard wears a black hoodie and looks directly at the camera with his lips rounded, as if whistling or surprised, outdoors with blurred greenery in the background.

10_10_2025_CAES GHOE 030 – resized

Ian Brown reacts after finishing a wing that brought a tear to his eye during the Hot Wings Challenge at the CAES Homecoming picnic at Webb Hall, October 10, 2025.

A man and woman smiling and greeting each other with open arms at an outdoor gathering, surrounded by people. The man wears a blue jacket and cap, while the woman wears an Aggie Pride hoodie and cap.

CAES Homecoming picnic at Webb Hall, October 10, 2025.

CAES Homecoming picnic at Webb Hall, October 10, 2025.