Dubai. London. New York. Vancouver. Calgary. Toronto. Montreal. Appropriately for Canada’s most international university, McGill’s Third Century Celebrations are reaching out across Canada and around the world, with a range of special events that feature a world exposition, dinners, fundraisers, performances by McGill alumni, and tributes to some of our many accomplished graduates, including McGill Principal Suzanne Fortier, who is eager to greet alumni and friends once more before she steps down from her role at the end of August.
There have not been any large-scale in-person events for McGill alumni in two years, as the University shifted, like the rest of the planet, to the virtual world of Zoom and video calls during the pandemic. There has been a lot on offer, including new ways to connect with the alumni community, but nothing like these celebrations.
“I’ve been so impressed by how the McGill community has rallied around all of our new virtual events, webcasts, workshops and other offerings,” says Marc Weinstein, Vice-Principal of University Advancement at McGill. “All of these online activities have extended our reach to our alumni around the world, and really made us rethink how we organize and host many of our events. But there’s something extra special about seeing each other in person, in particular for a historic milestone like this, where McGill is kicking off its third century. It’s a joyful and emotional moment that we get to share with each other.”
The first of the Celebrations is set for Dubai, March 4-6, part of a special series of events organized around Expo 2020 Dubai with a large McGill delegation that includes Principal Fortier, Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic) Christopher Manfredi, V-P Weinstein, Dean of the Desautels Faculty of Management Yolande Chan, and Dean of the Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences Elham Emami, among others. In addition to the main celebratory gathering, there will be panel discussion events focusing on sustainability, one of the highlighted themes of the Expo, along with several on the future of work, tours of the pavilions, a beachside party, and a breakfast with the Principal for McGill parents. Guests are expected from across the Gulf for this unprecedented McGill visit to the region.
The next stop on the global celebrations tour is London, which falls on March 9 – coinciding with McGill24, the University’s annual day of giving. Hosted by Made by McGill Campaign Co-Chair Garvin Brown, BA’91, guests will enjoy jazz from pianist and McGill grad Sean Fyfe, BMus’13, and a special appearance by celebrated UK comedian and actor Sindhu Vee, MA’95, a familiar face on the BBC as well as Netflix, where she can be seen on the critically acclaimed shows Feel Good and Sex Education.
Ambitious celebrations are also being set for the New York Gala and fundraiser on May 9, which is being organized by McGill volunteers and supported by the Friends of McGill University, Inc.
“It’s the first time we are going to bring McGillians together from across the U.S. – as well as Canada – for an event of this scale,” says Ariel Deckelbaum, BA’93, BCL/LLB’98, Chair of McGill’s regional advisory board in the eastern U.S. “We’re celebrating 200 years of connections between McGill and its alumni and friends in America, paying tribute to some distinguished honorees, and raising funds for McGill’s third century campaign that will support the next generation of students and researchers at our alma mater.”
Honorees at the New York Gala include hockey legend Ken Dryden, LLB’73, LLD’18, Super Bowl champion Dr. Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, MDCM’18, businesswoman Margaret Gilliam, BSc’59, Vice Chairman of Citigroup Mark Hantho, BCom’81, Olympic medalist Jennifer Heil, BCom’13, and former Doctors Without Borders president Dr. Joanne Liu, MDCM’91, IMHL’14, DSc’16.
Dates and venues for additional celebrations across Canada and elsewhere will be rolled out in the coming weeks, so stay tuned for more details.
Learn more about the events and register for a Third Century Celebration near you.