With a community of more than 285,000 grads living and working all over the world, York University is always looking to create opportunities for alumni to come together, network and celebrate both their accomplishments and their alma mater — and that’s where our alumni events program comes in! Each year, York’s alumni team hosts dozens of exciting events that not only invite grads back to campus to reconnect, but that also make their way to key alumni communities around the world to keep the red-and-white spirit alive.
Below is only a sampling of the many alumni events and event series that York hosts throughout the year — contact us at alumni@yorku.ca with any questions.
Homecoming
Whether you’re visiting to cheer on the Lions or take part in one of the many events happening across both campuses, there’s something for everyone at York Homecoming, taking place each September! The University jumps into full swing during this special time of the year to welcome alumni back to their alma mater for a variety of fun activities — join us to cheer on the Lions, connect with your college, check out what’s new, attend lectures and devour fantastic food.
And don’t miss York’s premier Homecoming event for grads — the York University Alumni Association (YUAA) Annual General Meeting and alumni reception. Guests are treated to a comprehensive update on the University and the activities of the YUAA (including information about York’s alumni networks program), as well as TEDx-style talks by some of the University’s most prominent grads. The AGM is followed by a brief reception where alumni can network over delicious hors d’ouerves and drinks.
Click here for more info about everything planned for Homecoming 2015.
Bryden Alumni Awards
Inspired by Bruce Bryden, an exceptionally committed and influential leader at York, the annual Bryden Alumni Awards are a chance for members of the York community to come together to recognize and honour outstanding alumni who have attained extraordinary achievements and made remarkable contributions to York and to their communities. As passionate York alumni and ambassadors, the Bryden recipients serve as role models and shining examples to current and future generations of York students.
If you know of a York graduate who is making an outstanding impact and deserves to be recognized with a Bryden Alumni Award, email bryden@yorku.ca.
To see images from the 2014 ceremony, visit the Bryden Photo Gallery Facebook page.
GRADitude
Bridging our past with our present is an important way for York to build its future. One way we do this is with GRADitude. This annual event gives the University and its leading alumni contributors the opportunity to recognize, connect with and inspire the top athletes, scholars and contributors to student life among York’s graduating and upper-year students.
With good food, drink and music, GRADitude celebrates the University’s growing tradition of excellence as the next generation of York grads embark on their personal, professional and academic journeys.
Alumni Receptions
With grads in more than 170 countries, it’s not always possible for alumni to make it back to campus. That’s why we have our regional Alumni Receptions — in fact, we host nearly a dozen regional events each year, ensuring we reach as many grads as possible.
Whether it’s at home in Hamilton, Ottawa and Montreal or across the world in London or Hong Kong, these receptions are York’s opportunity to catch up with our amazing grads, to learn what you’ve been up to since leaving campus and to provide you with updates on many of the exciting changes coming to York. And all the while, you get to network with your fellow local grads!
Click here to visit our Alumni Events calendar to see when York might be coming to your area.
Rogers Cup Tennis
Each year, fans convene at York’s Rexall Centre to watch tennis greats from all over the world compete at the Rogers Cup.
York grads enjoy exclusive tournament perks, including discounted tickets. Alumni are also invited to attend the York Day BBQ, where you can show your red-and-white pride and enjoy great food as you reconnect with other grads before or after watching an action-packed, world-class tennis match!
Click here for info about how to save on 2015 Rogers Cup tennis tickets as a York grad.
Click here for info on the 2015 Rogers Cup York Day Alumni BBQ.
The York Circle
The York Circle makes York’s vibrant academic and research life available to the broader community, through a series of free lectures offered throughout the year.
At the Lecture & Lunch Series, York’s leading professors offer lectures on their latest and most exciting research. This series includes four events annually and provides opportunities for learning and networking in a relaxed environment. Lecture & Lunch events are open to members of the The York Circle and their guests. Attendees are provided a brown-bag lunch.
Click here for more info on upcoming York Circle events and how to become a member.
Lions Cup Golf Tournament
The Kenaidan-York University Lions Cup began in 2001 as the Chair’s Cup. Marshall Cohen, then Chair of the York University Board of Governors, and his wife, Judi, envisioned creating a “friend-raiser” as well as a fundraiser, to rally friends, alumni and other supporters around a great cause – student financial aid.
Thanks to 2:1 matching from the government, Chair’s Cup has raised more than $5 million, helping more than 330 outstanding graduate students over the last 13 years.
Kenaidan Contracting Ltd. has been the title sponsor for this tournament since 2008. The tournament began at Wooden Sticks Golf Club and then was moved to Copper Creek Golf Club. This year the tournament will be held at Lionhead Golf & Country Club.
The tournament’s ability to succeed year after year rests largely on the shoulders of a group of very dedicated and highly passionate volunteers who make up the Lions Cup committee. In particular, co-Chairs Guy Burry (BA ’82) and Greg Stack (BA Spec. Hons. ’81) have worked tirelessly to ensure the tournament’s success each year.