At Homecoming 2023 on October 12-15, more than 2,300 alumni, friends, and community members came together on campus and online to celebrate milestones, reconnect and cheer on the Huskies. A heartwarming Golden Grad class of 1973 reception saw more than 145 people gather, some for the first time in 50 years. "We really enjoyed our Golden Grads Luncheon—51 years ago for me already—how did that happen in the blink of an eye…" said Bob Bissett, Golden Grad.
This year, Homecoming kicked off with the panel discussion Pathways to Success: From Saint Mary's to International Diplomacy—an opportunity for the Department of Philosophy to introduce the new major, "Law and Ethics," at Saint Mary's. Each speaker shared their journey, discussed challenges and successes, and helped students and young alumni explore the possibilities after graduating with a Bachelor of Arts.
Later that evening, our alums and community attended an eye-opening panel discussion on artificial intelligence (AI) to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Computer Science Program. This event brought together science and business alumni and students to connect, network, and discuss AI. Discussions included how AI is advancing business, research and technology, as well as the importance of ethics in academic integrity, finance and government.
2023 was a big year for celebrating milestones at the university. Fifty years ago, the 1973 Huskies Basketball, Football, and Hockey teams took home championships. Almost 100 alumni gathered in the O'Donnell Hennessey Student Centre for a 1973 champion teams reunion, where they celebrated and swapped stories from their big year.
The 1973 Men's Football team gathered for a reunion reception in the Gorsebrook Lounge. MLA Barbara Adams, Minister for Seniors and Long-Term Care, presented the team with certificates from the province. ADM Dwayne Provo BEd'95 addressed the team to celebrate their success in '73. There was a buzz of stories—from on and off the field—as if no time had passed.
Despite the rain on Friday evening, more than 900 former Huskies, fellow alumni and Saint Mary's community members cheered on the Huskies Football team. The Huskies won (33-18) against Acadia, sending them into the playoffs. Later that night, alums and friends gathered in the Gorsebrook Lounge for a Flashback Friday Pub night celebration following the football game—an opportunity to reconnect with friends and dance the night away with Halifax DJs PINEO & LOEB.
Homecoming also celebrated the classes of 1998 and 2013 with a brunch in the Gorsebrook Lounge on Saturday. The morning was full of laughs, tasty food and many graduates catching up with old classmates. The weekend was packed with sporting events and reunions with alumni cheering on the men's and women's hockey and soccer teams on the Huskies field.
Saint Mary's Alumni sends a huge thank you to all who came out to make another successful Homecoming weekend. Our alumni, friends and community were able to reconnect and celebrate monumental milestones for themselves and the university.