Founder's Day finds alumni celebrating worldwide
This Founder’s Day, alumni are celebrating their Western connection in more locations and countries than ever before.
More than 20 events are being held around the globe in honour of the University’s 137th birthday on March 7. Events include deli dining in Shanghai, art collecting in Ottawa and a mix and mingle in London, UK.
Kari McCreath, BA’00, who currently lives in the UK, is one of hundreds of Western alumni gearing up to celebrate their purple pride this Founder’s Day. It is a shared history and connection, she says, that draw alumni together in a foreign country – and Western’s Founder’s Day is the perfect excuse to come together.
“Most alumni attending our Founder’s Day event are originally from Canada, but now – like me – call London (UK) home,” says McCreath. “When you live in a foreign country, it’s so important to draw a sense of community with those around you. Western is the common thread between us and that’s why we love getting together.”
In New York, Jason Chrein, MBA’92, is organizing a networking reception to provide Big Apple-based Western alumni the opportunity to celebrate their shared connection and the accomplishments of the University itself.
“Western alumni have a lot of pride in the institution, which is iconic and has such a storied history,” says Chrein. “Following our alumni events, people go home feeling a sense of gratification, which could have been the result of a meaningful conversation, meeting a new contact, running into an old friend, volunteering, being among fellow Canadians, and also from having come out and supported their beloved educational institution that has remained a critical part of their make-up – and for which we all have a soft spot.”
The Western community celebrates Founder’s Day each year on March 7. It is a day for friends, family and alumni of the University to proudly wear purple in honour and recognition of the contributions of Western’s founders and accomplishments of students, staff, faculty and alumni.
Can’t attend an event?
This Founder’s Day, join fellow alumni and show your pride – wherever you may be in the world – by donning your Western gear and snapping a selfie to share via Twitter, Facebook or Instagram. Remember to tag your images with #since1878. You can also update your profile image with our #purpleandproud badge (https://twibbon.com/Support/purpleandproud-2) and participate in our Twitter trivia contest. Make sure to register for the contest here: http://www.alumni.westernu.ca/connect/events/founders-day-trivia-2015.html
Happy Founder’s Day, Western alumni.
