(Edmonton) This week the University of Alberta's Alumni Association brings together graduates from both near and far for Alumni Weekend, a city-wide celebration of all things green and gold. The annual event is an opportunity for graduates and their families to reconnect with their campus experience.
More than 3,000 alumni are expected to return to campus for the weekend, with special parties for those from the milestone classes of 1953, 1963, 1972 and 1988. Alumni and the rest of the university community will be taking part in more than 50 celebratory events including the Alumni Recognition Awards Sept. 25, and the Dinner & Dance Sept. 28.
New this year are Thursday's Cap 'n Gown ceremony-allowing alumni who graduated in 1963 to relive their convocation ceremony in honour of their 50th celebration year-and RATT Redux, offering alumni who remember the campus hot spot a chance to come back and reminisce in a casual atmosphere.
There is also a 40-by-160-foot tent erected in Quad on Sept. 27 and 28. That's where you'll find alumni mingling with staff and students drawn by the scent of cinnamon buns created from the original Tuck Shop recipe. More than 2,500 of the sticky treats were consumed at last year's temporary Tuck Shop and even more will be enjoyed this year.
Also on Friday is Green and Gold Day. Wherever you are, wear your green and gold colours with pride. Anyone near the North Campus should come to Quad at noon Sept. 27 for an aerial green-and-gold "family photo."
Faculties will also host a variety of tours, lectures and breakout celebrations for their alumni, including a talk by Anna Maria Tremonti, host of CBC Radio's The Current, Friday evening.
The Alumni Association is a volunteer, non-profit organization that works with the Office of Alumni Relations to keep alumni connected to each other and to the University of Alberta. Alumni Weekend is the association's largest annual celebration.