Queen’s alumni around the world reunited and reminisced virtually on the Oct. 17 weekend as more than 2,000 people registered for the university’s first online Homecoming.
Homecoming went virtual due to COVID-19 public health concerns. Karen Bertrand, an Artsci’94 graduate and Queen’s Vice-Principal (Advancement), said the response by participants to the online event was overwhelmingly positive as people enjoyed the tricolour spirit without travelling to Kingston.
“Homecoming 2020 made such a positive impression on our alumni that I have no doubt people will remember Homecoming 2020 as the year we united alumni around globe in a truly innovative way, and not the year we could not gather on campus,” says Bertrand.
The weekend was highlighted by a three-hour ceremony co-hosted by CBC Radio’s Shelagh Rogers, Artsci'78, LLD'19, and Queen's University Alumni Association President Rico Garcia, Artsci'13. It featured tributes to our most accomplished alumni, a look at the impact Gaels sport has had on the Queen’s community, and a musical performance from The Tragically Hip bassist Gord Sinclair, Artsci’86, LLD’16.
After the main event, many faculties including Engineering, Law, and the Smith School of Business hosted their own online gatherings, while more than 25 classes hosted their own reunions over Zoom.
Many Homecoming traditions continued this year, but were modified for the virtual format. The Tricolour Guard – alumni who graduated 50 or more years ago – were honoured with a video tribute instead of a halftime parade at the football game. While graduates couldn’t sing the Oil Thigh with their former classmates in person, a video montage of people singing “Queen’s college colours” showed that proud alumni can be found across the globe.
While many people were disappointed that the in-person Homecoming had to be cancelled due to COVID-19 health concerns, the online event allowed many international alumni to attend without having to take time off work or travelling hundreds of kilometres. The event attracted alumni from Australia, Brazil, Hawaii, New Zealand, Holland, and Switzerland to name a few.
During the interactive online event, one graduate wrote in the chatroom that they were from Munich, Germany, and this was their first Homecoming since they left Queen’s, while another said they have not taken part in the live Homecoming in the 49 years since they graduated. “So this virtual Homecoming is extra special for me,” they wrote.
Bertrand is looking forward to (hopefully) welcoming alumni back on campus for Homecoming in 2021. The success of this year’s online event has organizers planning to include a virtual component to Homecoming in the future – even when pandemic is over – so graduates who can’t return to Kingston can still take part in some festivities.
