Homecoming 2011 is coming
The start of the school year has such an impact that we feel it long after we graduate and enter the workforce. The cooling, shortening days of fall herald the end of summer and the return to business — and perhaps, for those whose alma maters host homecomings, briefly to school.
At Concordia, alumni are welcomed back to campus for 11 days with a wide variety of events, from lectures with high-profile Canadians and a showcase football game to the award-winning Family Fair Day and the President’s Reunion Dinner.
“Homecoming is a very special time of year for Concordia,” says Dominique McCaughey, acting vice-president of Advancement and Alumni Relations, which organizes the annual multi-day celebration.
“It focuses on alumni but it’s also a major draw for students, faculty members, staff and the wider public because of the sheer diversity of fascinating events we offer.”
Homecoming ’11, which runs from September 15 to 25, boasts an impressive line-up of prestigious speakers. First up is Ken Dryden, NHL Hall of Famer and former Liberal Member of Parliament, who will speak about politics, hockey and life at the AbitibiBowater Lecture on September 15. He will also be available after the lecture to sign copies of his books.
The Henri Habib Distinguished Lecture Series on September 21 features the former Canadian ambassador to Iran Kenneth Taylor, who will recall the 1979 hostage crisis and offer his thoughts on where the Middle-Eastern nation Iran is headed today.
On September 22, it’s Up Close and Personal: A Panel Discussion on Engagement in Haiti, with Paul Farmer, UN Deputy Special Envoy for Haiti, Arcade Fire’s Régine Chassagne, BA 98, and Domtar’s Madeleine Féquière, BA 85. They will explore relief efforts in Haiti, sustainability and capacity building.
All three lectures are free and open to the public but require pre-registration, as do most Homecoming events.
Other Homecoming highlights include the Shuffle, the annual 6.5-km fundraising walk between Sir George Williams and Loyola campuses on September 16. This year, organizers expect the Shuffle to reach a major milestone: $1 million raised since the event began in 1990. The proceeds go toward student bursaries and scholarships.
The Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Banquet takes place that evening, although, like some other events, this is by invitation only. (Visit the Homecoming site to see which require an invitation.)
The afternoon Homecoming Football Game, pitting the Concordia Stingers against the St. Francis Xavier X-Men, and the President’s Reunion Dinner are both scheduled for September 17.
Family Fair Day celebrates its fifth anniversary on Sunday, September 18. This award-winning event, which drew 1,500 people last year, features an array of activities and entertainment that will keep the whole family occupied for hours. It’s free, open to all and happens rain or shine at Loyola Campus.
And on the professional development side, there is the ingenious career speed-networking, in which students have a few minutes to speak with Concordia alumni mentors about the latter’s career experiences. It’s speed-dating with a professional twist.
Related links:
• Homecoming site
• Homecoming FAQ
• Concordia Department of Advancement and Alumni Relations