Welcome home Mustangs

The University of Western Ontario welcomes more than 15,000 alumni back to London this week (October 2-5) for Canada’s biggest Homecoming event.
 
Western prides itself on its more than 231,000 graduates, living in 130 countries around the world. An estimated 35,000 alumni live, work and play here in London.
 
“Homecoming is a time to celebrate, a time to reminisce, and a time to be unquestionably proud of being a Western alum,” says Anne Baxter, Western’s Homecoming 2008 Chairperson. “It is a time to reflect on where life has taken you since graduation, what you have accomplished and what you still have to accomplish.

“It is also a time to enjoy to the fullest, the many events planned especially for you and to continue your relationship with Western, your university,” she adds.

A variety of events are scheduled across campus over the weekend including:
 
FRIDAY, OCT. 3
34th Annual Alumni Awards Dinner, The Great Hall, Somerville House, begins at 5:30 p.m. – Western honours outstanding alumni. The dinner includes a three-course meal, complete with musical entertainment. Please register online or call 519-661-2199 ext. 85739.
 
Alumni Award of Merit Recipients
John Nash, BA'63 - Dr. Ivan Smith Award
Christine Elliot, LLB'78 - Community Service Award
Louise Pitre, BMus'79, DMus'06 - Professional Achievement Award
Stephan Moccio, BMus'94 - Young Alumni Award
 
Elfida Berzins Award Recipients (WAA)
Marion Munro, BSc'70
Patricia Kitchen, BA'74, BEd'75, MA'77
Stacey Allaster, BA'85, MBA'00
Natascha Wesch, MSc'98
 
'W' Club Hall of Fame Inductees
Joe Dell'Aquila, BA'78
Barry Mitchelson, BA'64
Jens Kraemer, BA'85, BEd'86
Ted Hessel, BA'58, BA Honors '67
 
Six Degrees Homecoming, The London Tap House, located at 545.5 Richmond Street, starting at 9 p.m. – Young alumni from the classes of 1998-2008 are invited to kick off Homecoming weekend and connect with friends from Western, as well as meet new alumni at London’s hottest night spot. Please register online. For more information, contact Christina Fox at 519-661-2111 ext. 88671 or cfox8@uwo.ca
 
SATURDAY, OCT. 4
Homecoming Hospitality Tent, TD Waterhouse Parking Lot from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – This is Homecoming central and it’s where to find registration, Manulife South End Zone Football Lunch tickets, refreshments and entertainment by The Don Wright Faculty of Music, children’s activities, faculty displays, Western Libraries’ exhibit, Alumni Western staff and faculty volunteers and a BBQ lunch.
 
Homecoming Parade, starts at 10 a.m. on Richmond Street – This family-friendly Homecoming tradition brings Richmond Street to life with live music, floats and acrobats.
 
Manulife South End Zone Lunch, TD Waterhouse Stadium at noon – Enjoy the Homecoming Football Game in style with VIP seating at field level and a football ticket in the stadium following kick-off. These are truly the best seats in the house! Space is limited. Please register online or call 519-661-2199, ext. 85739.
 
Homecoming Football Game, TD Waterhouse Stadium, kickoff at 2 p.m. – The defending OUA champions take on the Windsor Lancers. For tickets, contact the Mustang Ticket Office at 519-661-4077 or Ticketmaster at 519-488-1012.
 
Golden Anniversary Dinner, The Great Hall, Somerville House at 6 p.m. – Alumni from 1958 and earlier meet for an elegant evening, featuring a three-course meal, musical entertainment and a visit from Dr. Davenport. Please register online or call 519-661-2199 ext. 85739.
 
An Evening with Jazz Vocalist Sonja Gustafson, Maggie's Supper & Jazz Club, 478 Richmond Street at 8 p.m.  – Local jazz vocalist Sonja Gustafson headlines an indulgent evening of food and entertainment. Gustafson (DipMus’01, MA’08) has appeared on the reality TV series Bathroom Divas for aspiring opera stars and has recently released her debut jazz CD. Please register online or call 519-661-2199 ext. 85739. This event is sponsored by Manulife Financial.
 
SUNDAY, OCT. 5
Golf Event at Firerock, 10345 Oxbow Drive, Komoka, begins at 7:30 a.m. – One of London’s premier golf clubs hosts Western’s alumni. Firerock is an 18-hole championship design by renowned Canadian golf course architect Tom McBroom. Please register online or call 519-661-2199 ext. 85739. This event is sponsored by MBNA.
 
President’s Reception, Gibbons Lodge, 1836 Richmond Street, from 1:30- 3 p.m. – Graduates celebrating reunion years are invited as special guests to a garden reception at the home of President & Vice-Chancellor Paul Davenport and his wife Josette. Gibbons Lodge is the official residence of Western’s president. It was donated to the University in 1960 by Miss Helen Beresford Gibbons. Please register online or call 519-661-2199 ext. 85739.

For more information visit Homecoming 2008.