This year's Alumni Weekend extravaganza will kick off with the unveiling of a new sculpture in the heart of the university on Thursday, Sept. 24.
The sculpture, titled The Visionaries, will commemorate University of Alberta founders - Alexander Rutherford, Alberta's first premier; and Henry Marshall Tory, the first U of A president.
The Visionaries was created by distinguished Arts alumna and acclaimed artist Barbara Paterson ('57 BA [Cert], '88 BFA) who will be on hand at the Presidents' Circle - a new outdoor space on campus dedicated to all former university presidents - for the unveiling at noon. The sculpture is a gift to the university from the Alumni Association, in celebration of its 100th anniversary.
On Thursday night, you can head over to the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium (11455 87 Ave) for the annual UAlberta Alumni Awards - an inspirational evening celebrating the outstanding accomplishments of the university's graduates. This year, eight Arts alumni and one Arts student will be honoured. The ceremony is at 7 p.m. and will be followed by a reception, where alumni and guests can snag dessert and sip sparkling wine with the award recipients.
The Alumni Association isn't the only one celebrating an anniversary this year.
The Arts Building and Convocation Hall - or the "Old Arts Building," as it's affectionately known - is turning 100 years old too. An event photographer will be hanging out on the iconic Old Arts steps on Friday, Sept. 25 from 9 a.m. to noon to snap Old Arts anniversary photos of alumni and guests in front of the ivy-covered hall.
The Faculty of Arts is also marking another major milestone - we've reached 50,000 alumni. Arts grads attending alumni weekend are encouraged to pick up a "1 of 50,000 Arts Alumni" button from the Alumni tent or outside Convocation Hall and wear it proudly.
But Alumni Weekend isn't just about celebrating our milestones and alumni accomplishments, it's also about having fun.
On Friday, Sept. 25 there will be a pancake breakfast in the Alumni Weekend tent at 8:30 - 11 a.m., followed by a beer garden and DJ jam session.
Arts alumni can join the action in the Alumni Weekend tent - where we'll have a "1 of 50,000 Arts Alumni" photo prop available for alumni to take selfies with all day.
Arts grads and students sporting their Green and Gold can jump in on the annual aerial photo in Quad before choosing a side in the all-campus Sock Fight in Quad at 12:20 p.m.
The Faculty of Arts has an incredible line-up of performances happening over the weekend, starting with Moving On - a performance by Montréal Symphony Concertmaster Andrew Wan and U of A faculty member Jacques Després at 8 p.m. Friday night. Moving On is part of UAlberta Music's Mainstage Concert Season and both performers are winners of the prestigious Montréal Symphony Competition.
Saturday is a family affair with Play Around the World, science fun, crafts, a scavenger hunt, entertainment and a BBQ lunch.
Saturday night you can catch Arts alumnus and guest speaker Curtis Gillespie ('85 BA and Honour Award recipient 2014) on stage at The Next 100 Years - a TED talk-style event where several Alumni Award recipients will share their ideas on the university's future. The emcee for the evening is Arts alumnus Adam Rozenhart ('04 BA and Horizon Award recipient 2014).
A free performance - UAlberta Music Live in Concert - presented by some of the University's most talented students - will wrap up the weekend on Sunday at 3 p.m. in Convocation Hall.
Arts grads are encouraged to share their Alumni Weekend experience on social media using the hashtags #UAlberta and #1of50K. For more information on other campus-wide events happening over the weekend, like the Den Speakeasy & Casino visit the Alumni Relations website.
Unveiling The Visionaries
Date: Thursday, September 24
Time: Noon
Location: Presidents' Circle (between South Academic Bldg and Administration Bldg)
Cost: Free
No registration required.
Alumni Awards
Date: Thursday, September 24
Time: 7 p.m. (Award recipient meet-and-greet and reception to follow)
Location: Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium (11455 87 Ave)
Cost: Free, but registration is required.
Dress: Business attire
100th Birthday Photos at Arts Building
Date: Friday, September 25
Time: Event photographer on-site from 9 a.m. to noon
Location: Old Arts Building
Cost: Free
No Registration Required
Moving On - Mainstage Concert
Date: Friday, September 25
Time: 8 p.m.
Location: Convocation Hall, Old Arts Building
Cost: $20 adults, $15 seniors, $10 students
The Next 100 Years
Date: Saturday, September 26
Time: 7:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Reception: 9 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Location: Myer Horowitz Theatre, SUB
Cost: $15 per person, registration required
UAlberta Music Live in Concert
Date: Sunday, September 27
Time: 3 p.m.
Location: Convocation Hall, Old Arts Building
Cost: Free
No Registration Required