[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Alumni_House.jpg” caption=”The President’s Residence is now known as Alumni House. Photo by Susan Bubak.”]The President's Residence, which has been home to the Office of Alumni Advancement and McMaster Alumni Association since 2003, will now be known as Alumni House. The name change was approved by the Board of Governors yesterday.

“Calling the building 'Alumni House' would follow the tradition of many of North America's leading universities and be a signal to McMaster's alumni, campus community and student body about the significance of our alumni to the life of the University,” said Joe Stephen, past president of the McMaster Alumni Association.

The building was once used as a private residence for chancellors and presidents of the University. It was also used to host social events, receptions and guests when the president was not formally living there.

“McMaster's alumni have always considered our campus as their home,” said Peter George, the last University president to reside in the building. “It is now time to give them an official home on our campus.”

The Office of Alumni Advancement and McMaster Alumni Association currently occupy the second floor of the building while the main floor is used for small meetings, receptions and events.

Since moving to the building, the Association has hosted more than 450 events and meetings on the main floor. Alumni volunteers also have access to the office, meeting space and event space.