Concordia Journal Home > Archives > October 11, 2007 issue >

Coming home and reaching out 

By Barbara Black

The balmy fall weather was perfect for a Homecoming weekend, as about 800 residents of Montreal West, Notre Dame de Grâce and Côte St. Luc turned out for the university’s first Family Fair Day on Sept. 30.

The Loyola Campus's front lawns looked like a fairground, and were filled with children busily making paper, ice cream, masks and designs for T-shirts. Parents and children were entertained all afternoon by strolling clowns, magicians, puppeteers and “mad scientists,” and their snacks were served by five deans.

Author Kim Klein brought her energy and humour to Concordia on Sept. 27. The expert on philanthropy talked about “the 10 things you should know about how to raise funds during uncertain times,” a subject well suited to a Concordia audience as the university prepares to launch a major comprehensive campaign.

Klein is well aware of the university's strong tradition of activism, and will join the Institute of Management and Community Development next January for seven months as a resource person in residence, working with community networks and foundations in Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal. She will also give lectures at Concordia.

The 18th annual Shuffle inter-campus walkathon, held Sept. 28, raised more than $40,000, thanks to many volunteers, shufflers and their supporters, and set a record for early registration. In the past, early bird registration brought in about $17,000, whereas this year's Shuffle drew $28,000 with 400 participants.

Other Homecoming activities so far this month included the launch of an alumni chapter of the Garnet Key, a lecture on reasonable accommodation (see page 8), a workshop on research creation, presentations of their research by half a dozen professors, inductions to the Sports Hall of Fame, and the Homecoming football game.

Enjoy the colourful photos on Loyola Becomes a Fairground and Shufflers are fit folks. For more photos of Homecoming events, please visit homecoming.concordia.ca/.