[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/classof40_bench.jpg” caption=”The Class of 1940 kicks off Alumni Weekend with President Peter George by gathering around a new bench they donated to the University.
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(Clockwise L to R): Bob Waugh, Alumni interns Nav Baldeo, Krystal Berwick & Jessica Shelley; Jean McClung-Allin, Norma Martin, Peter George, Margaret Maclennan, Fred Martin. (* Absent: Arthur Dabald) Photo credit: John Bugailiskis “]McMaster alumni will return to their alma mater this weekend for the 2006 Alumni Weekend, featuring tours of campus, dessert party, mixed slo-pitch softball tournament, an annual general meeting, class reunions and an awards ceremony.

“We're looking forward to a wonderful Alumni Weekend,” says Karen McQuigge, director of the McMaster Alumni Association. “It's always a special pleasure to welcome McMaster graduates back to campus, to celebrate the accomplishments of the newest members of the Alumni Gallery, and to thank all of the volunteers who work on behalf of the McMaster Alumni Association throughout the year. It promises to be a great occasion.”

McMaster graduates celebrating their reunions are the classes of 1936, 1941, 1946, 1951, 1956, 1961, 1966, Commerce and MBA 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, Engineering 1966, 1971, 1976, 1981, 1986, Midwifery 10 year all class reunion and Nursing 1986.

Members of the class of 1940 met on campus earlier this week to celebrate their results of their latest reunion gift. To mark the occasion of their reunion held last year, the class chose to fundraise to place a new bench in front of the Refectory. The class, which has 49 active members, has provided several other reunion gifts over the years including supporting the Museum of Art with funding for acquisitions and an interview room in the MUSC. After more than 65 years, the class still retains close ties to the University.

Two events that are celebrating their second year as part of Alumni Weekend activities are the Half Century Luncheon and the Mixed Slo-pitch Softball tournament, which has 12 teams competing on Saturday and Sunday. The Half Century Luncheon is for the classes of 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954 and 1955 and is held at the President's Residence.

“The Class of 1953 reunion committee were the ones that came up with this wonderful event idea and we are very pleased with the response by our alumni as we have over 100 alumni registered for the informal luncheon,” says Karen McQuigge. “The softball tournament is a great way to engage our younger alumni, staff and community in the alumni program and McMaster. Both events have been a fantastic edition to our alumni program.”

The McMaster Alumni Association (MAA) will recognize the achievements of various alumni on Saturday June 3, including accomplished graduates, recent graduates and one member of the Hamilton community that has made significant contributions to McMaster.

Thirteen new inductees will enter the McMaster Alumni Gallery, a forum for recognizing accomplished McMaster alumni who have made significant contributions to their vocations and avocations. The Alumni Gallery has over 300 members and please click here for a list of our newest inductees.

The MAA will also recognize the achievements of five recent graduates with the Arch Award, to recognize the achievements of the University's most recent graduates. Receiving awards will be Tanya Thompson BSc 1994, Lisa McGrail BKin 1997 and Steve McGrail B.Kin 1997, and Michael W. Brown BEng & Mgt. 2001, MBA 2003 and Tal Dehtiar MBA 2005.

Honorary membership in the Alumni Association will be presented to John Evans. Honorary membership in the Alumni Association may be granted to any person who is not otherwise a member of the Alumni Association for unusual contribution to the Association or the University.

McMaster also will host the tenth annual Marauder Scholar Brunch to celebrate its top student-athletes on Sunday June 4, at 10:30 a.m. in the CIBC Banquet Centre of the McMaster University Student Centre.

Awards will be presented to the top male and female academic performers as well as to all student-athletes achieving greater than 80 per cent in their course of study.

Highlights of Alumni Weekend:

2006 Alumni Gallery Induction & MAA Awards Ceremony

Saturday, June 3, 2-4 p.m.

Convocation Hall, University Hall, Room 213

The McMaster Alumni Association invites you to discover a uniquely McMaster celebration. Join them as 13 new inductees enter the McMaster Alumni Gallery, McMaster's forum for recognizing the achievements of its grads.

Traditional campus tour

Tour your alma mater by foot or in the air-conditioned comfort of our alumni tour bus on a 45-minute guided) tour of what's new and old at McMaster. The tours start and finish at the new McMaster University Student Centre (MUSC) allowing people visit the Centre at their leisure when the tours are finished.

President's Dessert Party

In the Marketplace of the McMaster University Student Centre Join President Peter George for high tea in the bustling centre of what has become the heart of the McMaster University campus. Sample the assorted desserts while listening to live music. Everyone is welcome.

McMaster Alumni Association Annual General Meeting

Sunday, June 4, 1 p.m.

Donaldson Family Marketplace, McMaster University Student Centre (MUSC).

For a full listing of Alumni Weekend events, please visit www.mcmaster.ca/ua/alumni/, email alumni@mcmaster.ca or call ext. 23900.