“Homecoming is not only an opportunity to re-ignite friendships and celebrate our Queen’s alumni community, it’s also a chance to explore campus and discover how Queen’s is having an impact on the world,” says Vice-Principal (Advancement) Karen Bertrand, Artsci’94. “From Nobel Prize-winning research to restoring and displaying priceless works of art at the Agnes Etherington Art Centre, to improving and saving lives, Queen’s faculty and alumni are making a difference in the world.”

There are more than 80 official events listed on the Homecoming website happening over the Oct. 20-22 weekend. Many of the popular Homecoming events are back. The football game sees Queen’s taking on the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees, and the Tricolour Guard will be honoured during the halftime parade. Most faculties and schools will have open houses and returning classes have individual reunion activities throughout the weekend.

Planning your Homecoming schedule and looking for something new and different? Here are a few suggestions:

• Bader College Pub Quiz (Grad Club, Oct. 20, 7:30 pm): Join fellow Bader College (formerly Bader International Study Centre) alumni and put your general knowledge to the test. 
• Fall Harvest Alumni Gathering (Benidickson Field, Oct. 21, 11 am–2 pm): This second-annual family-friendly event allows people to experience the delights of Kingston artisans, live music, face painting, lawn games, a scavenger hunt, food trucks and a pop-up vendor market. The event is free and celebrates the spirit of the fall season. 
• Queer Alumni Chapter Mix and Mingle (University Club, Oct. 21, 4:40–6:30 pm): All 2SLGBTQIA+ alumni, students, and their allies are welcome to enjoy some refreshments and connect with the Queer Alumni Chapter for a casual mix and mingle.
• Black Alumni Chapter Reunion Cookout (Summerhill, Oct. 21, 4–7 pm): Black Alumni Chapter members and guests are invited to enjoy delicious food and connect with members of the chapter.

Along with attending events and reconnecting with campus, alumni also use Homecoming weekend as an opportunity to support future alumni – our students – and make campus a better place. Many returning classes have been fundraising for special projects in support of the university, such as members of Arts/PHE’73 supporting Prescription Exercise at Queen’s (PE-Q), which helps students with anxiety and depression.

At last year’s Homecoming, 47 of the 90 reunion classes had fundraising campaigns, collecting more than $1.2 million in support of Queen’s student experience.

Learn more on the Homecoming 2023 website.