Alumni finally returned to Queen鈥檚 after two years of virtual Homecoming celebrations.
Approximately 2,000 alumni and their guests returned to Kingston on the Oct. 28-30 weekend for the first in-person Homecoming since 2019.
鈥淗omecoming is a chance for alumni to rekindle friendships with classmates, explore the campus, and learn how students and researchers are making a positive impact in their fields and around the globe,鈥 says Vice-Principal (Advancement) Karen Bertrand, Artsci鈥94. 鈥淭he past two years of virtual Homecoming celebrations were a success, but we know you can鈥檛 replace the wonderful feeling of being on campus and seeing classmates face to face.鈥
Alumni traveled from as far away as Albania, Australia, Ghana, Poland, and Switzerland, and Homecoming participants spanned many generations, including one alumnus who graduated 76 years ago as a member of Arts鈥46.
Members of the Tricolour Guard (alumni who graduated 50 or more years ago) marched to the cheers of the Richardson Stadium crowd during the half-time parade at the Gaels playoff football game. The team also gave students and alumni another reason to celebrate thanks to a 41-13 victory over the University of Toronto. Gaels sports fans also celebrated when the women鈥檚 rugby team won OUA championship game on Friday night at Nixon Field, defeating Guelph 29-24.
Homecoming is also an opportunity to celebrate how alumni play an active role in bringing the university forward through philanthropy and volunteerism. Many alumni demonstrated this at Homecoming, raising money to help the next generation of Queen's students and to support research priorities by presenting cheques to their faculties.
Alumni also took part in dozens of organized events, including faculty breakfasts, open-house tours, and barbecues. Both the Black and Queer alumni chapters held special socials for their members and supporters. The Tricolour Guard welcomed the classes of 1970 and 1971 鈥 which could not celebrate in 2020 or 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic 鈥 as well as the class of 1972, with an elegant reception to honour their place in the university鈥檚 most distinguished alumni group.
Along with traditional events, there were some new activities to help alumni connect with campus. Several hundred people attended the family-friendly Fall Harvest Alumni Gathering which took place on Agnes Benidickson Field behind Grant Hall. People were treated to live music, buskers, food trucks, games, and a pop-up vendor market. Medicine, nursing, and rehabilitation studies alumni dressed up and took part in a Health Sciences Gala, featuring cocktails, dinner, and dancing.
See our on the Queen鈥檚 Alumni Facebook page for a look at the weekend fun.
