For Sean Thompson, Artsci’83, one of the best parts of Homecoming is picking up right where you left off with old friends.
“Sometimes you’re picking up conversations that you started 40 years ago that just never seemed to end,” he said with a big smile inside Grant Hall on Friday.
Thompson was among the thousands of alumni who returned to campus this weekend to keep those connections alive and make new ones.
A record 4,669 alumni registered for the 100th anniversary of Homecoming, Oct. 16-18, surpassing last year’s record-breaking turnout. More than 115 events took place over the weekend – including one of the most thrilling football games in Homecoming history – thanks in part to over 160 reunion volunteers who helped make the milestone celebration possible.
Through registration, alumni also generously gave $84,327 to funds supporting students, programs, and initiatives across Queen’s. Plus, 81 classes participated in reunion giving, with more than $2 million raised for the university and counting.
Old friends embrace outside Grant Hall as Homecoming 100 brings generations of alumni back to Queen's.
Although the weekend started cloudy, campus was lit up in tricolour flags, banners, and displays highlighting 100 memorable moments from Queen’s history.
The energy was unmistakable inside Grant Hall on Friday, where lineups stretched out the doors as alumni arrived to check in and give big hugs to old classmates.
Among them was Robin Williams, Artsci’75, catching up with her longtime pal John Reid, Artsci’75. After returning for her 50th reunion last year, Williams was hooked.
“The older you get, the more you realize how significant that experience was as a student,” she said. “How it changed your life. How you met people who are still in your life. There’s real value in it.”
Elsewhere on Friday, renowned chemistry professor Dr. Cathleen Crudden shared innovations in materials science at Chernoff Auditorium, while retired general Wayne Eyre, Canada’s former Chief of the Defence Staff, discussed the challenges facing Canada’s national defence at Biosciences Complex.
Over at Clark Hall Pub, crowds gathered for the traditional Friday afternoon Ritual. Waiting in line was Michael Harmata, Sc’91, who travelled from Ohio and said his favourite part of Homecoming was connecting with current students.
“I got three or four invites to pancake breakfasts in the morning,” he said. “It’s just sharing stories. Students always want to know what it was like when I was here.”
Robin Williams, Artsci'75, and John Reid, Artsci'75, reconnect at Grant Hall during Homecoming 100.
Saturday began with plenty of opportunities to share those stories as alumni gathered over coffee and breakfast across campus and beyond.
At the Smith Engineering breakfast in Mitchell Hall, Jake Bricknell, Sc’06, was amazed at how far student opportunities had come since his days at Queen’s.
Passing the Queen’s Rocket Engineering Team’s table, he recalled thinking, “Wow, you guys have left Earth!”
“It’s really neat to see where things are progressing, the evolution of the disciplines that are here, and how it’s embracing tomorrow.”
Outside Grant Hall, face painting and signs brought tricolour spirit to Spirit Corner before Queen’s Bands led the alumni parade up University, out Union, and into Richardson Stadium ahead of the football game.
Over at Agnes Benidickson Field, the Fall Harvest Alumni Gathering offered a more relaxed celebration, with acoustic music, lawn games, food trucks, local vendors, and even a petting zoo.
For Anish Muradia, Sc’16, back for his first Homecoming since graduating, Fall Harvest was a great chance to catch up with good friend Jas Kundi, Sc’16, whom he met through a Queen’s dance club a decade ago.
“I think the people that have stuck with me have been the friends, a handful of friends that I still stay in touch with,” he said.
Anish Muradia, Sc’16, returned for his first Homecoming since graduating, catching up with old friends at the Fall Harvest Alumni Gathering.
At Richardson Stadium, fans were treated to a historic nail-biter of a football game against Guelph that will go down as one of the most memorable of the past century. After tying the game 24-24 just before halftime, the Gaels held on for a 42–41 win after Brandon Spence forced a fumble and Wilson Heslop recovered it with less than a minute remaining.
Watching was Paul Shugart, Artsci’79, a member of Queen’s undefeated 1978 Vanier Cup championship team, who still gets together with former teammates decades later, including at Homecoming this year.
“What I've always said about that group of guys I played with was that they were a fantastic group of individuals,” he said. “Not only good football players, but incredible students and people.”
With many of those former teammates now approaching 70, he added with a laugh, they might have to start reuniting more often than every five years.
Gaels offensive lineman Riley Sherman celebrates during the team's thrilling 42–41 Homecoming victory over Guelph at Richardson Stadium on Oct. 17.
The celebrations continued into Saturday night, including at Ban Righ, where Tricolour Guard alumni who graduated 50 or more years ago got together for their annual reception and dinner.
But whether they graduated five years ago or 50, a common throughline for many alumni reflections during Homecoming 100 was just how much their Queen’s experience shaped their lives.
For Tim Culliton, Com’91, who had returned from Stratford, Ont., for his 35th reunion, it was the friends, the “awesome education”, and all the fun that he had that were top of mind.
“When you think about it, it was just four short years. But it’s an amazing, transformational time in your life.”
Mark your calendar for the next Homecoming, set for Oct. 15-17, 2027!
