Published by Communications and Public Affairs (519) 824-4120, Ext. 56982 or 53338
News Release
June 20, 2002
U of G to host biggest alumni weekend to date
The University of Guelph's Alumni Weekend 2002 will be the biggest alumni weekend to date, with 36 classes returning to campus June 21 to 23.
This year's theme is "All Roads Lead to Guelph." The event is expected to draw 1,200 Guelph graduates to campus to share memories, make connections with old friends and celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Bullring.
Most alumni will remember the Bullring as a student pub, but some returnees were on campus when the round building was used as a livestock show ring and judging pavilion. The Bullring will host a welcome barbecue June 21 at 5:30 p.m., as well as a special 100th-anniversary pub Saturday night.
The U of G Alumni Association will hold a wine-and-cheese reception in conjunction with its annual general meeting June 22 at 3 p.m in the Macdonald Stewart Art Centre.
Other weekend highlights include:
. Presentation of alumni awards Saturday at 11:30 a.m. in the Gryphon Dome. This year's Alumnus of Honour is George Atkins, a 1939 bachelor of science graduate who created the Developing Countries Farm Radio Network. The Alumni Volunteer Award goes to Thomas Sanderson, a 1961 graduate of OVC who established the OVC Alumni Trust and helped revitalize the Ontario Veterinary College Alumni Association.
. The unveiling of plaques that recognize three heritage buildings on campus, Johnston, Zavitz and Graham halls. The plaques will acknowledge the early contributions of Profs. Charles Zavitz, William Johnston and William Graham, for whom the buildings are named.
. A College of Arts Alumni Association open house in the MacKinnon Building Saturday and a morning coffee break in the McLaughlin Library, which will feature a special exhibit on the 175th anniversary of the city of Guelph.
. "Food for Thought" seminar series Friday at the Springfield Golf and Country Club. Speakers are cookbook author Margaret Dickenson and writer and nutrition consultant Lynn Roblin.
. A dean's tea and building tour Saturday at 2 p.m, sponsored by the Mac-FACS Alumni Association. Guests will be served tea on the original china and silver from early college days. Prof. Alun Joseph, dean of the College of Social and Applied Human Sciences, will lead a tour of the FACS Building.
. Class reunions, annual general meetings of college alumni associations, the golden and silver anniversary dinners and campus tours by horse-drawn trolley.
For more information about Alumni Weekend 2002, call 519-824-4120, Ext. 6544, or send e-mail to alumni@uoguelph.ca.
