[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/alumniweekend08.jpg” caption=”Many of McMaster’s alumni will make their way back to campus Saturday for Alumni Weekend events. File photo.”]McMaster University will welcome back graduates, friends and family for its annual Alumni Weekend happening this Saturday May 23, 2009. This year's festivities feature a special veteran's event recognizing those veterans who attended McMaster University. The highlights include a performance of the play Jake's Gift, written by Vancouver-based actor-playwright Julia Mackey, and a veterans dinner on Saturday evening.

Alumni Weekend is McMaster's longest-standing program and this year it celebrates its 108th anniversary. Karen McQuigge, director of alumni advancement, says this will be another fantastic event.

“Alumni Weekend is always exciting,” says McQuigge. “Welcoming McMaster graduates back to campus provides a sense of history, a chance for us to meet many of McMaster's graduates and take a trip down memory lane with our older alumni. We are so pleased that this year we will be celebrating an 80th reunion when a member of the class of 1929 returns to McMaster.”

The celebrations begin Saturday morning at 11:30 a.m. with the President's Luncheon, an event hosted by McMaster President Peter George for the anniversary classes and earlier graduates. Graduates ranging from 1929 to 1959 will be in attendance. Coinciding with this, the Half Century Club Luncheon begins at 12 noon and celebrates alumni from the classes of 1950 to 1958. Additionally, campus tours will run on Saturday between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Other weekend highlights include several class and faculty reunions, as well as the President's Dessert Party. Anyone wishing to attend the party is invited to the McMaster Student Centre where they can socialize with fellow alumni, sample desserts and listen to music.

The veterans dinner will wrap up the events of Saturday evening. Reception begins at 5 p.m. and dinner is at 6 p.m.

Registration for all weekend events is available online now. For additional information, please click here.