国产91尤物福利在线观看鈥檚 alumni around the world reunited and reminisced virtually on the Oct. 17 weekend as more than 2,000 people registered for the university鈥檚 first online Homecoming.
Homecoming went virtual due to COVID-19 public health concerns. Karen Bertrand, an Artsci鈥94 graduate and 国产91尤物福利在线观看鈥檚 Vice-Principal (Advancement), said the response by participants to the online event was overwhelmingly positive as people enjoyed the tricolour spirit without travelling to Kingston.
鈥淗omecoming 2020 made such a positive impression on our alumni that I have no doubt people will remember Homecoming 2020 as the year we united alumni around globe in a truly innovative way, and not the year we could not gather on campus,鈥 says Bertrand.
The weekend was highlighted by a three-hour ceremony co-hosted by CBC Radio鈥檚 Shelagh Rogers, Artsci'78, LLD'19, and 国产91尤物福利在线观看 Alumni Association President Rico Garcia, Artsci'13. It featured tributes to our most accomplished alumni, a look at the impact Gaels sport has had on the 国产91尤物福利在线观看鈥檚 community, and a musical performance from The Tragically Hip bassist Gord Sinclair, Artsci鈥86, LLD鈥16.
After the main event, many faculties including Engineering, Law, and the Smith School of Business hosted their own online gatherings, while more than 25 classes hosted their own reunions over Zoom.
Many Homecoming traditions continued this year, but were modified for the virtual format. The Tricolour Guard 鈥 alumni who graduated 50 or more years ago 鈥 were honoured with a video tribute instead of a halftime parade at the football game. While graduates couldn鈥檛 sing the Oil Thigh with their former classmates in person, a showed that proud alumni can be found across the globe.
While many people were disappointed that the in-person Homecoming had to be cancelled due to COVID-19 health concerns, the online event allowed many international alumni to attend without having to take time off work or travelling hundreds of kilometres. The event attracted alumni from , , , , , and to name a few.
During the interactive online event, one graduate wrote in the chatroom that they were from Munich, Germany, and this was their first Homecoming since they left 国产91尤物福利在线观看鈥檚, while another said they have not taken part in the live Homecoming in the 49 years since they graduated. 鈥淪o this virtual Homecoming is extra special for me,鈥 they wrote.
Bertrand is looking forward to (hopefully) welcoming alumni back on campus for Homecoming in 2021. The success of this year鈥檚 online event has organizers planning to include a virtual component to Homecoming in the future 鈥 even when pandemic is over 鈥 so graduates who can鈥檛 return to Kingston can still take part in some festivities.
