Bringing alumni back home again

Dal Homecoming moves to September

- August 24, 2012

Alumni Association President Jim Wilson sporting his black and gold. (Danny Abriel photo)
Alumni Association President Jim Wilson sporting his black and gold. (Danny Abriel photo)

The smell of reunions, dinners and good times is in the air again – and somewhat earlier this year.
 
This year, Dal Homecoming is moving to September—the 27th through the 29th, to be exact—to take advantage of the beautiful early-fall weather on campus.

Events that connect students and alumni


“It’s an opportunity for alumni and students to come together and have some fun,” says Jim Wilson, president of the Dalhousie Alumni Association. “It’ll be a ride back down memory lane for so many of our alumni.”
 
Mr. Wilson, who tries to attend as many events as possible, says that he’s particularly excited about the annual dinner moving back to campus and focusing more on alumni. The newly-renamed Alumni Dinner will take place Thursday, September 27 at the McInnes Room, and features science alum Maria Panopalis (BSc’99) of CTV as its master of ceremonies.
 
He’s also a big fan of the football game, as a big supporter of the club—he jokes that he’d gladly hit the field if they let him, but he’d have to be carried off in a stretcher—and the lobster tailgate reception beforehand.
 
There will also be reunion events happening across Dalhousie’s faculties, with particular celebration around reunion events from 2002 (10th), 1992 (20th), 1987 (25th), 1972 (40th), 1962 (50th) and 1952 (60th).

Reuniting with old friends


One of the 50th anniversary events will be in the Schulich School of Law. Brian Flemming, a renowned policy advisor and international lawyer, is helping organize it with his classmate Larry Hebb.
 
“We’ve been doing these every 10 years, and we always have a terrific turnout,” he says, noting that around 20 or so of his classmates generally make it out each time – rather impressive for a class of 39, several of whom are no longer with us.
 
Mr. Flemming, an Order of Canada recipient, has held onto a close connection with Dalhousie Law throughout his career. He taught the first advanced course in public international law, is an honorary fellow of the Marine and Environmental Law and was the founding president of the Dalhousie Law Alumni Association. He received the 2010 Weldon Award for Unselfish Public Service.
 
He’s looking forward to golfing, dinners and just generally spending time with some cherished lifelong friends.
 
“We’re a tiny group and we try and stay in touch as best we can,” he says. “We just love seeing each other.”
 
As for advice on how best to enjoy Homecoming 2012, Mr. Wilson offers this advice.
 
“Try and participate in as many things as you can,” he says. “There’s something for everyone.”
 
For a full listing of events, and to register, visit dal.ca/homecoming.