Sights and Sounds of Homecoming 2015
More than 15,000 alumni, students and friends brought their purple pride to more than 50 events across campus during Western’s Homecoming weekend, September 27-29.
Many alumni, like Christina Goldt, Shirley (Spencer) Macdonald, Sinclair Robinson and Carol Beatty, all graduates of the class of 1965, returned to campus to celebrate with classmates at a number of annual Homecoming events, including faculty events, the Alumni Awards of Merit Dinner and the Golden Anniversary Dinner.
“It’s our 50th reunion and it’s so great to be back. Homecoming is all about lasting memories, spending time with old friends, and keeping in touch,” said Goldt, who encouraged her fellow classmates to attend this year and made the trip from Vancouver, via the North West Passage and Greenland.
On Saturday, the stands at the annual Homecoming football game were a sea of purple as thousands cheered on the Mustangs as they took on the Carleton Ravens and emerged still undefeated. Many alumni who couldn’t make it home gathered for the game and celebrated with fellow alumni as part of Western’s Homecoming Away from Home events.
Saturday’s festivities also included some new programming, with the addition of #HOCOonthehill, a morning and evening concert event held on UC Hill. Between the morning show featuring headliners EDM duo DVBBS and the all-Canadian evening line-up featuring Our Lady Peace with Sloan and Coleman Hell, nearly 10,000 people took part in this incredible concert experience that ended with a fireworks display. See a video of some of Saturday’s highlights in slow motion here.
Many of our extraordinary alumni were recognized and celebrated with a number of awards at faculty and campus ceremonies held throughout the weekend, including the Alumni Awards of Merit, ‘W’ Club Hall of Fame, WAA Elfrida Berzins Award, L.S. Lauchland Engineering Alumni Medal, the Schulich Medical and Dental Alumni of Distinction Awards, Don Wright Faculty of Music Wall of Fame and the Faculty of Health Sciences Young Alumni Award.
Other highlights from the weekend included the 50th anniversary celebration of Delaware Hall, the Jewel in the Crown event at the Macintosh Gallery, and the photo booth and the kids’ activities at the Welcome Centre. Check out the Facebook album of event photos and the photo booth album.
“There’s so much going on,” said Ann Seabrook, who was visiting the Welcome Centre with her husband and fellow Western graduate, Drew, and their daughter Abby, 4. “This is the first time we’ve come to Homecoming and there really is something for everyone. Even our future Mustang is having fun!”
