A very successful Annual Homecoming for alumni and the Glendon community took place over the last weekend of the summer, Friday through Sunday. A number of events punctuated this event.
As a prelude to Homecoming, the Alumni Committee held a meeting in the afternoon of Friday, September 19 to provide an opportunity for initial contact between the College’s new Principal, Dr. Donald Ipperciel, and the Committee. Dr. Ipperciel made reference to Glendon’s new program offerings and stressed the importance of alumni commitment to the institution’s progress.
At the end of this meeting, Alumni Committee members joined other alumni and community members in Glendon Hall. More than 150 alumni attended this evening reception, with the numbers rising to over 330 for the three subsequent events.
“The opening speaker for Homecoming was Glendon Alumni Committee Chair, David Trick, who introduced York University Chancellor, Greg Sorbara, himself a Glendon graduate. Mr. Sorbara’s words about Glendon were very favourably received by the large number of people in attendance. Dr. Ipperciel, Glendon’s new Principal, then took to the podium and reviewed the College’s mission as a provider of training in the liberal arts, an area of study which can and must ensure that its graduates will be able to participate in and contribute to the public sphere. He also evoked Glendon College founder Escott Reid, who “had to struggle to get Glendon to accept the concept and practice of acquiring second-language skills. The concept and practice of bilingualism are precisely the distinctive features of Glendon’s identity ‘ both now and in the past,” he pointed out.
Mr. Trick then asked Ms. Solange Belluz to address the audience. She has recently taken up her position as “executive-in-residence” at Glendon. Ms. Belluz provides invaluable assistance in advancing the current strategy of making Glendon ‘ and York University ‘ the “hub” for francophone and bilingual academic studies in Southern Ontario. She joined Glendon after more than 20 years of leadership experience in French-language educational support services with the Ontario government. Together with Bronwyn Hannelas, a recent graduate (MPIA ’12), Ms. Belluz shared her experience with alumni. Following these presentations, Alumni Committee President David Trick led a question-and-answer exchange with the audience.
Next, Marie-Thérèse Chaput, Director of the Office of Advancement, Alumni and External Relations of Glendon College, York University, invited the new Principal, Dr. Ipperciel, as well as Dale Taylor, recipient of the 2013 Alumni of the Year Award, to join her on stage for the presentation of the 2014 award. The distinction was given this year to David Trick for his unflinching dedication; for his highly significant contribution to the positioning of Glendon on the playing field of higher education institutions; for his participation as a Glendon representative on the York University Alumni Committee; and for his agreeing to chair the Glendon Alumni Committee over the next few years leading up to the celebration in 2016 of the 50th anniversary of Glendon College.
The presentation of this award marked the end of the formal aspect of the evening; a reception then followed.
Saturday and Sunday
Homecoming 2014 continued over the weekend. On Saturday, September 20, alumni were invited to join the Walk in the Valley to explore Glendon’s unique trails and flora. Together with other West Don Ravine partners, participants had the opportunity to discover the treasures of the Glendon woods, a true oasis in the heart of Toronto. During the afternoon, alumni took part in the celebrations of the Proctor Field House 50th anniversary. The day ended with a friendly, relaxed happy hour at a Yonge Street restaurant.
Finally, Sunday afternoon began with a meeting and discussion with Professors Guy Proulx, Andrew Clifford and Michael Barutciski; this was followed by individual group meetings for alumni of the Glendon School of Public and International Affairs, Psychology, International Studies and Translation and Interpretation.
Homecoming 2014 was prepared by the Advancement Team, with special assistance from Associate Director, Noël Chan, and Alumni Coordinator, Delphine Honoré. In addition, we received support from our hard-working students Wafae Ben Bouazza, Rona Yu Asensi and Neya Abdi, and from a group of 15 students who volunteered over the weekend to help us present this series of events. Glendon Magazine is pleased to congratulate and thank them warmly for all their good work!
To view pictures of the event, please CLICK HERE.
By Michel Héroux
