Thursday night marks the start of Homecoming weekend with the sold-out Alumni Dinner at the Atlantica Hotel in Halifax, featuring host Barb Stegemann, best-selling author and businesswoman. The event also honours Dal’s four Alumni Association Award recipients.
While much of Homecoming’s focus is on Dal’s alumni community, many of the events are open to the broader Dal community. The weekend is a great opportunity to get to know the university a bit better and connect with Dal alumni from across the region and around the world.
Here’s a sampling of some of the activities taking place this weekend in both Halifax and Truro.
More info: Homecoming website
University-wide events
Friday, October 16
Concert at the Grawood with Party Boots
7-9:30 p.m., Grawood
If you managed to catch Party Boots during DalFest earlier this year, you’ll know why the energetic band has quickly become a Halifax favourite. The band performs “Upbeat, worldly dance music with an inviting pop sensibility,” and has played Halifax Jazz Fest, the Evolve Festival and more.
All alumni, students, staff, faculty, friends and community members are invited — and, best of all, it’s free! Food and drinks will be available for purchase. RSVP.
Saturday, October 17
President’s Fun Run/Walk 2015
8 a.m. registration, 9 a.m. run/walk starts, Studley Quad
Ready to get your run on? Join President Richard Florizone and other alumni, students, faculty, staff and retirees for the President’s Fun Run/Walk. It’s a three-campus run, jog, walk or stroll for the whole family.
This year, there’s also a challenge to all Dal faculties. The faculty with the most participants in attendance at the Fun Run will win a $500 cash prize for a post-Homecoming event. There will also be runner-up prizes of $250 for the teams with the second- and third-largest turnout. The event includes a post-run brunch food court and campus celebration with prize draws.
Pre-registration is now closed, but you can still register on-site between 8 and 8:50 a.m. on the day of. And if you’re in Truro and still eager to hit the road for a run, check out Rocky’s Run, also taking place on Saturday, October 17.
Saturday, October 17
Dal Football Club Game vs. UNB Fredericton
Wickwire Field, 7 p.m.
Come cheer on the football Tigers with alumni, students and community members as they take on rivals UNB Fredericton. With both teams currently sitting at a 2-2 record, it’s bound to be a competitive showdown. Tickets are $5, available at the gate starting one hour before kickoff.
Faculty events
Much of the energy and excitement of Homecoming comes when alumni come together with students and faculty/staff in their home faculties. Dal’s faculties are holding several special events through the week, from golf tournaments to special dinners and banquets.
You can view the full schedule of events on the Homecoming website, but below is a sampling of some of the special lectures/celebrations that are being held on Friday, October 16.
Arts & Social Sciences
Celebrating 150 Years of English at Dal
3:30-5 p.m., Dalhousie University Club
Join the Dal English department for a party to celebrate its 150th birthday! There will be cake, prizes and prose.
Computer Science
OPEN the DOOR to the Faculty of Computer Science
3-6 p.m., Goldberg Computer Science Building
Demonstrations from professors and students, sneak peeks of research and work, and tours of Computer Science rooms.
Dentistry
JD McLean Lecture w/ Senator Jim Munson
4:30-5:30 p.m., Dentistry Building Room 3156
Senator Munson’s lecture is titled “The Act of Giving – From Autism to Dentistry and Places In Between”
Engineering/Architecture & Planning
Sexton Campus Homecoming Lecture
4-6 p.m., Architecture and Planning Building Auditorium (HA 19)
“Innovation in Buildings – Architectural and Engineering Design Solutions”: Faculty members Professor Brian Lilley and Dr. Lukas Swan (MASc’06, PhD’10) will present on their experience with cutting edge building design in both disciplines.
Law
Horace E. Read Memorial Lecture: The Happy Lawyer
1:30-2:30 p.m., Room 105, Weldon Law Building
Professor Nancy Levit, Professor of Law, University of Missouri-Kansas City and co-author of The Happy Lawyer: Making a Good Life in the Law, will discuss how law compares to other occupations along various dimensions of job satisfaction, and the behavioural patterns common to happy lawyers and happy law students.
Science
Coffin Lecture: The World of Chemistry Patents
1:30 p.m., Chemistry Building, Room 226
Presented by Dr. Patricia Folkins (BSc’87) partner and head of Chemical Patent Practice Group, Bereskin & Parr, LLP.
Agriculture events
Dal’s Faculty of Agriculture is also hosting its Homecoming activities this weekend — the same as the Ag Campus’ annual College Royal competition (which takes place Friday). Other events include last night’s Atlantic Agricultural Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, the “Rocky’s Run” race this Saturday at 10 a.m. and athletic events featuring the men’s and women’s Rams soccer teams.
For the full schedule of events and more, visit the Ag Homecoming website.
Black and Gold events
Join the Black & Gold Club for an alumni reception during women’s basketball on Saturday, Oct. 17, 7:30 p.m. at Dalplex. Enjoy complimentary light snacks and a cash bar. Come support the Tigers and join in the fun!