A global pandemic didn’t prevent Ivey alumni from reconnecting during today’s virtual Homecoming celebration, reinforcing the strength of the bond of the Ivey Alumni Network.
"This year showed that the true spirit of Homecoming is not about the format or a specific event, but about the rich class connections that have endured through the years," said Cathy Vitkauskas, Ivey's Executive Director of Advancement. "From those classes hosting their first reunion, to those celebrating their golden reunion and everything in between, it's been wonderful to see everyone embrace the idea of connecting virtually this year – while making plans for in-person events as soon as it's safe to do so. Whether it’s in person or virtual, Homecoming continues to be a shining example of the power and connection of the Ivey Alumni Network."
The Homecoming 2020 lineup
The Homecoming 2020 celebration in its new digital format had plenty to offer. Here are some of the highlights from the celebration:
- An entrepreneurship case study on opportunity recognition with Professor Eric Morse;
- An Ivey Lecture Series on how the School’s degree programs have evolved;
- An alumni panel on recovery during the pandemic, moderated by Jeannine Pereira, HBA ’95, Director of Talent Development and Learning, Ernst & Young, and featuring three panellists: Greg Guatto, HBA ’90, President & CEO, Aspen Properties; Mariam Hashmi, HBA ’05, MBA ’08, Director of Information Technology PMO, IMAX Corporation; and Sandeep Kawadkar, MBA ’05, Vice-President of Product & Platforms, President's Choice Financial (WATCH THE RECORDING Passcode: ^H!M82vB); and,
- A Predicting Success simulation from The Ivey Academy led by Professor Rob Austin and Assistant Professor Mazi Raz, MBA ’05, PhD ’14.
Alumni also had an opportunity to recite the Ivey Pledge to act honourably and ethically, while receiving a unique, individually numbered Ivey Ring.
And no matter where they were, alumni were able to join their classmates for a virtual happy hour to reconnect and reminisce on their time spent at Ivey.
Ivey Distinguished and Faculty Service Award recipients
Scott Vanderwel, HBA ’98, Chair of the Ivey Alumni Network Board, and Dean Sharon Hodgson kicked off the celebration by recognizing the contributions of the Distinguished Service and Faculty Service Award recipients.
This year's Distinguished Service Award recipients were Dan Rowe, MBA ’05, and Gilles Ouellette, HBA ’69, MBA ’70. Professor Mary Crossan, MBA ’85, PhD ’91, received the Alumni Faculty Service Award.
Learn more about the award recipients in the video above and hear Dean Hodgson’s update on the School.
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