Mark your calendars!
In April 2020, I was on a Teams call with the class presidents of the Classes of 2020 and 2021, Nigel Verret and Emily Shaw. Convocation and Reunion 2020 had just been postponed. We had no real choice with the pandemic raging across the world.
Nigel had one request on behalf of his classmates. They still wanted to have the opportunity to walk across the stage at Convocation Hall. Emily offered to have the Class of 2021 share their Convocation Weekend with the Class of 2020. What a lovely offer. We had a plan in place.
Like many well-laid plans, this was not to be. In January 2021 the University, in consultation with the 2021 Grad Class Executive, announced there would be no in-person Convocation again this year due to the continued COVID-19 restrictions. It came as no surprise, but it was still a sad moment for the Class of 2021. A virtual conferring of degrees will take place May 17, 2021.
The Class of 2021 did ask us one thing 鈥 the very same thing Nigel asked on behalf of the Class of 2020 鈥 鈥淐an we still have an in-person Convocation after COVID?鈥
Of course, we said yes.
We are looking forward to welcoming the Classes of 2020, 2021, and 2022 back to campus on the weekend of May 13-15, 2022, with their friends and family, for three separate Convocation ceremonies. We will be working hard to make sure this weekend is 鈥渆pic.鈥
Once that decision was made, we knew we could not possibly accommodate our regular class reunions in 2022 that same weekend, with three full graduation classes on campus.
We have also been planning a young alumni reunion for the Classes of 2013-2019. First and five-year reunions are very important and well attended. In the 2020 Alumni Engagement Survey, our younger alumni requested that our office offer career and networking opportunities. The programming for this young alumni reunion is all about career development and reconnecting. We have surveyed our younger alumni and they are all very keen for this type of reunion.
We also have classes who missed their reunions in 2020 and 2021.
What to do?
After consultation, we have decided to hold our young alumni reunion (Classes of 2013-2019) on May 13-15, 2022. A perfect combination with the Convocation for the Classes of 2020, 2021, and 2022.
And we are inviting the following classes to join us at our mega reunion July 7-10, 2022, for those who missed in-person reunions due to COVID-19:
- 1945
- 1950, 1951, 1952, 1955, 1956, 1957
- 1960, 1961, 1962, 1965, 1966, 1967
- 1970, 1971, 1972, joint 1974 and 1975, 1976, 1977
- 1980, 1981, 1982, 1985, 1986, 1987
- 1990, 1991, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1997
- 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007
- 2010, 2011, 2012
- 1970s basketball teams
If you don't see your class listed above, no problem. Register anyway! All are welcome. If COVID has taught us anything, it is that we have to take every opportunity to gather in person at every opportunity we can. If you want to come back 鈥 please, come back!
If you would like to help us plan these reunions, contact us at alumni@mta.ca and we will add you to a planning committee. We will also be sending out a survey to all the classes listed above to give us feedback on what types of activities you would like to see us offer in July 2022.
Our plan is to go back to our regular class reunion schedule at Convocation Weekend in 2023.
Carolle de Ste-Croix ('90)
Director of Alumni Engagement
Editor of the Record